Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is one of the four goals articulated by the Leaders in their new Vision and identified in the Pacific Plan.
Meeting the needs and aspiration of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, is sustainable development. In practical terms, as noted in the Pacific Plan, sustainable development is about the integration and mutual reinforcement between the three pillars of economic development, social development, and environment conservation (where conservation is defined as wise use, including protection, in some circumstances). Essential requirements for sustainable development include active stakeholder participation, poverty eradication, changing unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, and managing and conserving the natural resource base for economic and social development, while maintaining the underlying ecological processes. Sustainable development is regarded as a new way of approaching economic and social development and environment conservation. It can be seen as a new way of life, a culture, a philosophy that guides everyone’s day to day decisions, and underpins each policy, strategy and decision at every level of decision-making – local, community, subregional, and national, as well as internationally. To achieve sustainable development, one needs a whole country approach – government, private sector and communities. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is one of the regional organisations that has the responsibility and role to play in assisting member countries to cost-effectively utilise limited national and development partner resources to maximise benefits for their people, reflecting the application of the principles of sustainable development and good governance. The Forum Secretariat's Sustainable Development programme focuses on providing policy advice and coordination at international, regional and national levels, and provides technical assistance in areas of its comparative advantage, including economic and policy analysis-based integrated policy advice to strengthen management of natural resources, and environment. |
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