The Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy: the quest for good ocean governance

The presentation of the Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy at the 2002World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg marked the culmination of yet another milestone achievement in regional cooperation in the Pacific Islands. The formulation of the regional policy began with a request from the 1999 Forum Leaders that a regional ocean policy be produced. This Policy is to be the basis for the harmonisation of national and regional actions in relation to oceanic and coastal resources in the Pacific Islands. The Policy will also offer the platform for the formulation of a Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Strategic Action Plan that will prescribe the sustainable use of the Ocean and its resources. The countries were urged to become parties to international treaties and conventions such as the Law of the Sea Convention.