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Recent years have witnessed a broadening of development thinking and greater emphasis on integrated work methods and sustainable development planning. Global conventions and agreements such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 2000), The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, 2002) the 3rd World Water Forum (2003) and the upcoming review of the Barbados Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States (BPOA+10, 2004) have altered the way we view development.

In preparation and response to this broadening development focus, the Pacific island nations and states have been called to prepare a series of national review reports assessing in an holistic manner for the first time a broad perspective of issues, problems and priorities.

Prior to the WSSD, each Pacific Island Country was called upon to create a National Assessment Report, which had the aim of summarising in one document all the critical sustainable development issues faced by each country. While these documents remain incomplete for some countries they represent an important audit of current and emerging issues and provide an invaluable overview for organisations such as SOPAC in planning work implementation and in consultations with countries.

Niue presented a National Assessment Report prior to the WSSD, which highlighted a number of critical sustainable development issues. These issues were subdivided along the three ?pillars? of sustainable development: environmental, social and economic concerns, and drew upon all national sustainability related reviews and similar reports since the early 1990?s. Those issues particularly related to the technical assistance and capacity that SOPAC offers are summarised below:


Environmental Concerns:

• Ocean / Coastal / Reefs
• Water Supply and Quality
• Waste Management
• Terrestrial Habitats and Species
• Climate Change - Includes frequency and severity of tropical storms; changes in freshwater lens; coastal erosion and storm damage

Other issue identified was Agriculture and Forestry, which while not related directly to SOPAC Work Programmes but linked through land use, water and mapping elements.

Social Concerns:

• Institutional Frameworks and Capacity Building
• Planning and Environmental Impact Assessments
• Legislation
• Education and Public Awareness
• Traditional Knowledge and Systems

Economic Concerns:

• Population Decline
• Relationship with New Zealand
• Land Tenure System
• Technology issues

The National Assessment Report drew upon the following reports:

UNCED: United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development preparatory report, 1991.
UNDESD: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Development Review, 1992 ? a 5 year draft Water Development Plan
SOE: State of the Environment Report, 1993
NEMS: National Environmental Management Strategy, SPREP, 1994
CBEMP: Capacity Building for Environmental Management in the Pacific, SPREP, 1998
NBSAP: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, UNDP/GEF, 2001
UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, National Communication