SPC/CRGA 43 (13) Paper 2.2.3 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
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SPC/CRGA 43 (13) Paper 2.2.3 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY FORTY-THIRD MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENTS AND ADMINISTRATIONS (Suva, Fiji, 12-15 November 2013) _______________________________________________________________________________ AGENDA ITEM 2.2.3 – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (Paper presented by the Secretariat) SUMMARY 1. The Economic Development Division (EDD) of SPC delivers services to members in two areas – energy and transport – the drivers of economic development. The goal of EDD is sustainable economic development through accessible, affordable, efficient, secure and safe energy and transport services. 2. As a result of the Independent External Review (IER) of SPC in 2012, the Pacific Information and Communication Technology Outreach (PICTO) programme of EDD shifted to the University of the South Pacific (USP), effective from 1 January 2013. This led EDD to review and revise its Strategic Plan (2012-2017) earlier this year. Aligning closely to the new SPC Corporate Strategic Plan (2013- 2015) aspirations, the revised EDD Strategic Plan spans a similar three-year duration. 3. The implementation of the Pacific Appliance Labelling and Standards (PALS) programme progressed well, with several countries commencing the drafting of related national legislation and regulations to support enforcement of these standards. The division’s petroleum advisory services have continued to strengthen the petroleum pricing regulatory capacities of Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There is huge support and demand for SPC’s work in energy data analysis and production of country energy security indicator profiles, and work continues in 17 PICTs (inclusive of the French territories) on this initiative. Review and revision/development of national energy policies and plans also progressed well, benefiting five PICTs this year. A highlight of EDD’s work in gender was the development of a toolkit to incorporate a gender perspective into energy and climate change community-based adaptation projects. This toolkit is currently being trialled in several communities. 4. The North Pacific ACP Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Project, North-REP, seen as a special and proven delivery model for replication, made good progress this year to improve the overall efficiency of the energy sector in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) through energy efficiency and grid-connected renewable energy, and to increase access of remote populations to reliable renewable electricity services. In FSM, charging stations for 1600 lanterns have been installed in Chuuk, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have been installed in schools and health centres, ten battery houses have been constructed for ten mini-grids in Yap and 42 people have been trained in PV installation and the assessment of grid stability. In Marshall Islands, a total of 496 solar home systems (SHS) have been installed, and 50 people trained in maintenance and use of the systems. In Palau, in addition to 24 people receiving hands-on experience and training in PV installation and the assessment of grid stability, renewable energy course materials have been developed. SPC/CRGA 43 (13)/Paper 2.2.3 Page 2 5. SPC has a major regional role to play in ensuring that PICTs comply with international and regional maritime instruments. This year, 12 maritime compliance audits were completed in five PICTs, involving ports, maritime administrations, maritime training institutes and shipping companies. Furthermore, review and amendment of seafarer training modules was completed in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Maritime Association (PacMA). This will ensure that the maritime training institutes in the Pacific have up-to-date training modules, complying with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Manila Amendments. 6. The aviation work of SPC remains largely focused on research, regional civil aviation meeting support, data collection and information dissemination. SPC EDD continues to organise the regional security forum for PICT heads of civil aviation security and produces Pacific skies aviation magazine. A series of aviation information papers was launched this year and there are plans to accelerate work to develop a regional aviation data repository, which will improve access to high quality data and analysis to support effective policy decisions in aviation. RECOMMENDATIONS 7. CRGA is invited to: i. note the work and achievements of the EDD energy and transport programmes to date; ii. endorse the revised EDD Strategic Plan 2013-2015; and iii. approve the outline of EDD’s proposed work programme for 2014. ______________________________ SPC/CRGA 43 (13)/Paper 2.2.3 Page 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION PURPOSE OF THE PAPER 1. This paper presents an overview of progress made by EDD in 2013 (January to August) and presents the division’s work programme for 2014, including an insight into future direction, opportunities and challenges for the division. PRESENTATION OF THE DIVISION Strategic plan 2. EDD reviewed and revised its 2012-2017 strategic plan earlier this year, following the shift of its PICTO Programme to USP in January this year. The revised plan, Economic Development Division Strategic Plan 2013-2015, is closely aligned to the new SPC Corporate Strategic Plan (2013-2015) aspirations and is tabled for endorsement by CRGA 43. The revised plan is separately attached. Objectives 3. The goal of EDD is sustainable economic development through accessible, affordable, efficient, secure and safe energy and transport services. 4. EDD has four objectives for the period 2013 to 2015: to establish and sustain effective regional coordination mechanisms and strategic partnerships; to support development and implementation of effective policies, plans and regulatory frameworks; to strengthen institutions and expertise in the energy and transport sectors; to improve access to affordable and efficient energy and transport services. Key services / sectors 5. As a technical division of SPC, EDD's work targets sustainable development and management of soft infrastructure in PICT energy and transport sectors. Assistance offered by EDD aims to create an enabling environment through capacity building/supplementation; institutional strengthening; development and implementation of policies, plans and regulatory frameworks; and regional coordination mechanisms. 6. The EDD Energy Programme focuses on delivering the following core regional services: coordination of the implementation of the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific; provision of technical, legal and policy advice on energy issues; improvement of energy efficiency; development and synchronisation of standards across the region; provision of petroleum advisory services to PICTs; building capacity of PICTs; provision of energy statistics, information and networking; monitoring and evaluation; and applied research. 7. The EDD Transport Programme focuses on delivering the following core regional services: provision of technical, legal and policy advice on transport issues; assistance to countries to maintain compliance with international maritime obligations; building capacity of PICTs to meet international maritime safety and security requirements and enhance transport services; SPC/CRGA 43 (13)/Paper 2.2.3 Page 4 monitoring and evaluation of transport development in the Pacific region; provision of transport statistics, information and networking; and provision of interagency coordination and secretariat services. PROGRESS TOWARDS ACHIEVING DIVISIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVES 8. The division’s progress towards achieving its strategic plan objectives during the period 1 January to 31 August 2013 is discussed in this section. 9. Outputs and achievements by country and divisional strategic plan objectives are summarised in Annex 1. Objective 1: To establish and sustain effective regional coordination mechanisms and strategic partnerships Energy 10. EDD continues to play an important regional coordination role with regard to small island developing states (SIDS Dock) activities in the Pacific. EDD’s review and coordination of SIDS Dock's effort in PICs resulted in four project proposals – totalling more than USD 2 million – being approved for funding under SIDS Dock. This year, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the SIDS Dock Secretariat, EDD coordinated a SIDS Dock Pacific meeting in Nadi, Fiji on 6-9 May, which was attended by over 80 people. The meeting agreed to allocate another USD 1 million for national projects in Cook Islands (solar photovoltaic), Kiribati (biofuel) and Samoa (biogas). A SIDS Dock Programme Coordination Group (PCG) meeting is planned for later in the year to discuss another USD 3.6 million SIDS Dock allocation for the Pacific. 11. The AUD 2.6 million Australian-funded SPC-managed Pacific Appliance Labelling and Standards (PALS) programme is progressing well since its inception in 2012. The PALS Steering Committee, which plays an important role in monitoring and guiding the implementation of the programme, held its second meeting in Suva this year. The 12 countries that are participating in the programme – Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, Samoa, Solomon Islands and