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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 have altered the way development is viewed, 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).

In preparation and response to this broadening development focus, the Pacific island nations and states were called to prepare a series of national review reports assessing in a 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, with 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.

Palau 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. The National Assessment Report drew upon all national sustainability related reviews and similar reports since the early 1990s. Those issues particularly related to the technical assistance and capacity that SOPAC offers are summarised below:

Environmental Concerns:

• Sustainable management of marine and terrestrial resources
• Climate change and sea level rise
• Pollution control
• Waste management
• Water supply and quality
• Natural hazards such as storms and frequent drought
• Coral bleaching
• Coastal erosion
• Damage by invasive alien species

Social Concerns:

• Inadequate legislative frameworks and lack of coordination
• Poor environmental monitoring and regulatory enforcement
• Lack of public awareness and education on benefits of sustainable resource use
• Need for coordinated multi-agency approach to sustainable development initiatives
• Need for capacity building
• Emigration of educated population

Economic Concerns:

• Lack of financial, technical and human resources
• Rapidly increasing population
• Need for infrastructure development

Palau’s National Assessment Report drew upon the following:
NEMS: National Environmental Management Strategies, 1994
NMDP: 2020 National Master Development Plan, 1996
STPAP Sustainable Tourism Policies and Action Plan, 2001
MAP: Presidential Management Action Plan, 2001
NBSAP: National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan
UNCCD: National Report to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, 2000