Toward a New Pacific Regionalism
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37 CHAPTER 2 ASSESSING REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS’ WORK IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT his chapter looks at one group of important but little-studied actors in disaster risk management (DRM): regional organizations.171 Although regional mechanisms are Tplaying increasingly important roles in disasters, there has been remarkably little research on their role in disaster risk management. In fact, there are few published studies about the relative strengths and weaknesses of regional bodies, much less comparisons of their range of activities or effectiveness in DRM.172 A recent study carried out by the Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement sought to address this gap by providing some basic information about the work of more than 30 regional organizations involved in disaster risk management and by drawing some comparisons and generalizations about the work of thirteen of these organizations through the use of 17 indicators of effectiveness.173 This chapter provides a summary of some of that research. SECTION 1 Introduction and Methodology: Why a Focus on Regions? Since the 1950s when European regional integration seemed to offer prospects not only for the region’s post-war recovery, but also for lasting peace and security between former enemies, regional organizations have been growing in number and scope. They have 171 There has been a trend to move away from a rigid dichotomy between activities intended to reduce risk/ prepare for disasters and those associated with emergency relief and reconstruction. Thus the term “disaster risk management” (DRM) is used as the overarching concept in this study. However, as the dichotomy between pre-disaster and post-disaster activities is still prevalent in international institutions, international agreements and frameworks, government institutions and regional institutions, the disaster risk reduction (DRR) is also used as a catch-all term for pre-disaster activities while the term disaster management (DM) refers to all post- disaster activities. -
Pacific Islands Forum Statement for the 2Nd Committee General Debate
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM STATEMENT FOR THE 2ND COMMITTEE GENERAL DEBATE Monday, 5 October 2020 Mr. Chairman, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the 14 Pacific Island Forum countries with Missions to the United Nations, namely Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and my own country Tuvalu. At the outset, allow me to congratulate you Mr. Chair and members of your Bureau for your successful election. I also like to commend you for your courage, creativity, and tireless efforts in proceeding with the preparations of the 2nd Committee work as planned at these unprecedented times. Mr. Chairman, The Pacific Islands Forum welcomes the theme for the 2nd Committee’s general debate this year – “Building back better after COVID-19: ensuring a more equitable global economy, inclusive societies and sustainable recovery.” It is without a doubt COVID-19 has significantly disrupted economies and societies right across the world. Our Pacific Leaders recognised it as a major crisis for the Blue Pacific region – its peoples, countries and economies. Its effects will be felt for years to come, exacerbating our existing regional development challenges. We believe that the 2nd Committee is the right place to provide guidance to ensure the necessary CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY implementation of actions are taken to address our development challenges. By ensuring a more equitable global economy, inclusive societies and sustainable recovery we must rethink, plan, collaborate and work collectively to address these challenges at the national, regional and global levels. -
Bahamas on Behalf of the Caribbean Community (Caricom)
The I Bahama 12th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development High Level Segment Preparations for the International Meeting in Mauritius (SIDS) STATEMENT BY SENATOR, THE HONOURABLE MARCUS BETHEL, MINISTER OF HEALTH COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS ON BEHALF OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) NEW YORK, 30 APRIL, 2004 Please check against delivery I As a global community our window of opportunity to adequately address the sustainable development needs of our people in the areas of water, sanitation and human settlements, indeed in all areas of sustainable development, is short. Now is the time for us to act and we must act boldly. Mr. Chairman In your opening statement on April 19 th you stated that "the broad picture is not very reassuring, and the international community is not on track when it comes to meeting the globally agreed targets." You stressed the need to overcome hindrances and create soldtions. The statements made over the course of the last two weeks by participants from governments; the NGO community, Youth, experts and the private sector all support your conclusion. Assessing the reports of the proceedings so far, it is a struggle not to be overwhelmed by what appears to be a daunting challenge. Such a condition however is unacceptable if we are to secure for our people their right to a sustainable future. Our responsibility, no matter how overwhelming, will overcome those hindrances and create equitable and meaningful solutions. In the Caribbean, we have spent the last two years assessing our progress in the implementation of the sustainable development goals we elaborated and agreed to in the Barbados Programme of Action. -
European Union - the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Ref. Ares(2015)2773568 - 02/07/2015 European Union - The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Pacific Regional Indicative Programme for the period 2014-2020 GENERAL CLAUSES The European Commission on behalf of the European Union and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat hereby agree as follows: (1) The European Commission, (represented by Neven Mimica, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, (represented by Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General and Regional Authorising Officer) hereinafter referred to as the Parties, determined the general orientations for cooperation for the period 2014 - 2020. These orientations which are included in the Regional Indicative Programme concern the European Union Aid in favour of the Pacific region and were drawn up in accordance with the provisions of Articles 2 and 4 of Annex IV to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000, revised and signed in Luxemburg on 25 June 2005 and revised and signed in Ouagadougou on 22 June 2010. The Pacific Regional Indicative Programme is annexed to the present document. (2) As regards the indicative programmable financial resources which the European Union envisages to make available to the Pacific region for the period 2014 - 2020, an amount of EUR 166 million is foreseen for the allocation referred to in Article 3.2 (a) of Annex IV of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement (A-allocation). A B allocation referred to in Article 3.2 (b) can be established to cover unforeseen needs. This allocation is at EUR 0 until a need arises. These allocations are not entitlements and may be revised by the Commission, following the mid-term and end-of-term reviews, in accordance with Article 5.7 of annex IV of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement. -
Guidelines for Public Financial Management Reform
Commonwealth Secretariat Published by: Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom Copyright @ Commonwealth Secretariat All Rights Reserved. No part of this public publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher. May be purchased from Publication Unit Commonwealth Secretariat Telephone: +44(0)20 7747 6342 Facsimile: +44(0)20 7839 9081 GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REFORM Commonwealth Secretariat TABLE OF CONTENTS Reform 26 Appendix C List of Participants of the Brainstorming Workshop 34 FOREWORD v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vii 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. PROCESS FRAMEWORK (“HOW”) 3 2.1. Develop a strategic reform framework 3 2.2. Address structural issues 4 2.3. Make a commitment to change (political will) 5 2.4. Establish and empower key institutions 7 2.5. Managing reform 7 2.6. Monitor progress of PFM reforms 10 3. FISCAL FRAMEWORK (“WHAT”) 12 3.1. Revenue collection 12 3.2. Improve debt management 13 3.3. Improve planning processes 14 3.4. Improve budgeting 14 3.5. Strong budget implementation, accounting and reporting 15 3.6. Procurement 16 3.7. Strong internal and external oversight 17 4. Conclusion 22 References 23 Appendix A: Excerpts from the Abuja Communique 2003 24 iv Appendix B: Supporting Better Country Public Financial Management Systems: Towards a Strengthened Approach to Supporting PFR FOREWORD ABBREVIATIONS ANAO Australia National Audit Office Implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) demands effective public ANC African National Congress financial management that is imbued with transparency and accountability measures to CFAA Country Financial Accountability Assessment achieve strategic outcomes. -
The Dynamic Gravity Dataset: Technical Documentation Update
The Dynamic Gravity Dataset: Technical Documentation Update Note Version 2.00 Abstract This document provides an update to the technical documentation for the Dynamic Gravity dataset, describing changes from Version 1.00 to Version 2.00. For full descrip- tion of the contents and construction of the dataset, see full technical documentation for Version 1.00 on the dataset page at https://www.usitc.gov/data/gravity/dgd.htm. This documentation is the result of ongoing professional research of USITC Staff and is solely meant to represent the opinions and professional research of individual authors. It is not meant to represent in any way the views of the U.S. International Trade Commission or any of its individual Commissioners. It is circulated to promote the active exchange of ideas between USITC Staff and recognized experts outside the USITC, professional development of Office Staff and increase data transparency by encouraging outside professional critique of staff research. Please address all correspondence to [email protected]. 1 1 Introduction The Dynamic Gravity dataset contains a collection of variables describing aspects of countries and territories as well as the ways in which they relate to one-another. Each record in the dataset is defined by a pair of countries or territories and a year. The records themselves are composed of three basic types of variables: identifiers, unilateral character- istics, and bilateral characteristics. The updated dataset spans the years 1948{2019 and reflects the dynamic nature of the globe by following the ways in which countries have changed during that period. The resulting dataset covers 285 countries and territories, some of which exist in the dataset for only a subset of covered years.1 1.1 Contents of the Documentation The updated note begins with a description of main changes to the dataset from Version 1.00 to Version 2.00 in section 1.2 and a table of variables available in Version 1.00 and Version 2.00 of the dataset in section 1.3. -
The United States' Indo–Pacific Strategy and a Revisionist China
The United States’ Indo–Pacific Strategy and a Revisionist China: Partnering with Small and Middle Powers in the Pacific Islands Region By Patrick Dupont ISSUES & INSIGHTS WORKING PAPER V O L . 2 1 , WP2 | F e b r u a r y 202 1 Pacific Forum Based in Honolulu, the Pacific Forum (www.pacforum.org) is a foreign policy research institute focused on the Asia-Pacific Region. Founded in 1975, the Pacific Forum collaborates with a broad network of research institutes from around the Pacific Rim, drawing on Asian perspectives and disseminating project findings and recommendations to global leaders, governments, and members of the public throughout the region. The Forum’s programs encompass current and emerging political, security, economic, and maritime policy issues, and works to help stimulate cooperative policies through rigorous research, analyses and dialogues. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... IV 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 2. THE UNITED STATES’ INDO–PACIFIC STRATEGY .............................................. 2 3. ASSESSING US INFLUENCE IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS REGION ......................... 3 4. ASSESSING CHINESE INFLUENCE IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS REGION ............. 11 5. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES ....................................................... 24 6. SMALL AND MIDDLE POWERS IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS REGION .................. 27 7. CONCLUSIONS -
Pacific Islands: Development Vulnerabilities, International Journal Response and Structural Transformation
Bolesta, A. (2020). Pacific islands: Development vulnerabilities, international Journal response and structural transformation. Journal of International Studies, 13(3), 25-40. of International doi:10.14254/2071-8330.2020/13-3/2 Studies © Foundation Pacific islands: Development of International Studies, 2020 vulnerabilities, international response and © CSR, 2020 Papers Scientific structural transformation Andrzej Bolesta1 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ORCID 0000-0003-2298-6133 Abstract. The goal of this paper is, upon presenting Pacific island countries’ Received: January, 2020 development challenges and vulnerabilities, to examine and propose possible 1st Revision: policy solutions. In view of very particular development challenges related to May, 2020 economic, environmental and social vulnerabilities, the discussion is taking place Accepted: August, 2020 concerning (a) the content of the UN programmes of actions to support small island developing States (SIDS); (b) the genus of their preferred structural DOI: economic transformation and (c) the supporting economic policies. This paper 10.14254/2071- argues that in order to address various development predicaments of small island 8330.2020/13-3/2 developing State (a) international community must be engaged in the areas described in the UN programmes of action, as some environmental and economic challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation and external economic shocks cannot be addressed exclusively through domestic policies; (b) particular type of structural economic transformation must take place, which deviates from the traditional path from agriculture to industry and to services, since for the overwhelming majority of SIDS manufacturing is not a viable option due to their remote location and small population, which make them unattractive for international investments and thus regional and global value chains; (c) the specific type of structural transformation must be underpinned by effective economic policies focusing on building resilience. -
The Role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Democracy Support
The role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in post-conflict reconstruction and democracy support www.idea.int THE ROLE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IN POST- CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION AND DEMOCRACY SUPPORT Julio S. Amador III and Joycee A. Teodoro © 2016 International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance International IDEA Strömsborg SE-103 34, STOCKHOLM SWEDEN Tel: +46 8 698 37 00, fax: +46 8 20 24 22 Email: [email protected], website: www.idea.int The electronic version of this publication is available under a Creative Commons Attribute-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 licence. You are free to copy, distribute and transmit thepublication as well as to remix and adapt it provided it is only for non-commercial purposes, that you appropriately attribute the publication, and that you distribute it under an identical licence. For more information on this licence see: <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc-sa/3.0/>. International IDEA publications are independent of specific national or political interests. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of International IDEA, its Board or its Council members. Graphic design by Turbo Design CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 4 2. ASEAN’S INSTITUTIONAL MANDATES ............................................................... 5 3. CONFLICT IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA AND THE ROLE OF ASEAN ...... 7 4. ADOPTING A POST-CONFLICT ROLE FOR -
Du Cericentre De Recherches
les études du Ceri Centre de Recherches Internationales One Among Many: Changing Geostrategic Interests and Challenges for France in the South Pacific Denise Fisher One Among Many: Changing Geostrategic Interests and Challenges for France in the South Pacific Abstract France, which is both an external and resident South Pacific power by virtue of its possessions there, pursues, or simply inherits, multiple strategic benefits. But the strategic context has changed in recent years. China's increased presence; consequent changes in the engagement of the US, Japan and Taiwan; and the involvement of other players in the global search for resources, means that France is one of many more with influence and interests in a region considered by some as a backwater. These shifts in a way heighten the value of France's strategic returns, while impacting on France's capacity to exert influence and pursue its own objectives in the region. At the same time, France is dealing with demands for greater autonomy and even independence from its two most valuable overseas possessions on which its influence is based, New Caledonia and French Polynesia. How it responds to these demands will directly shape the nature of its future regional presence, which is a strategic asset. Une puissance parmi d'autres : évolution des enjeux et défis géostratégiques de la France en Océanie Résumé Compte tenu des territoires qu’elle y possède encore, la France est en Océanie une puissance à la fois locale et extérieure. A ce titre, et quand elle ne se contente pas de bénéficier d’avantages hérités, elle poursuit des objectifs stratégiques multiples. -
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization an Assessment
VIVEKANANDA INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION The Shanghai Cooperation Organization: An Assessment ISSUE BRIEF Vivekananda International Foundation 3, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021 Copyright @ Vivekananda International Foundation, 2015 Designed, printed and bound by IMPRINT SERVICES, New Delhi All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced or utilized in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization: An Assessment by Nirmala Joshi About the Author Professor Nirmala Joshi Nirmala Joshi is a former Professor of the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies of the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She is currently Director of a New Delhi based think tank The India Central Asia Foundation. She was also Research Advisor at the United Service Institution of India from September 2012 to October 2014. Apart from heading the Centre at the J N U, Prof Joshi was also the Director of the University Grants Commission's Programme on Russia and Central Asia. She has been a member of the Indian Council for Social Science Research's Indo Russian Joint Commission for Co-operation in Social Sciences. She was a Member of the University Grants Commission Standing Committee on Area Studies in 2002, and a Nominated Member of the Executive Council of the Indian Council of World Affairs by the Government of India in 2001. Professor Nirmala Joshi has travelled extensively abroad and within the country to participate in international conferences on the Eurasian region. -
Creating Compliance with G20 and G7 Climate Change Commitments Through Global, Regional and Local Actors
Creating Compliance with G20 and G7 Climate Change Commitments through Global, Regional and Local Actors John Kirton, Brittaney Warren and Jessica Rapson University of Toronto Paper prepared for the annual convention of the International Studies Association, April 7–10, 2021. Version of April 1. Key words (three tags): G20, G7, climate change Abstract The greatest global change, where the process of globalization is now complete, is climate change and the existential threats it brings. How do the central global governance institutions of the Group of Seven (G7) major democratic powers from the rich North and the Group of 20 (G20) systemically significant states, including countries of the emerging South, create and comply with commitments to control climate change, by working with key actors at the multilateral, regional, sub-national, local and civil society levels? Using data and previous findings from the Global Governance Program, this paper analyzes how the compliance of G7 and G20 members with their leaders’ summit climate change commitments is affected by invoking the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group, by invoking the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development, European Union, the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement and the Asia- Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, and by invoking local actors such as sub-national states and provinces, cities, and business, as well as Indigenous Peoples. It identifies ways in which the involvement of such “local” actors can improve compliance, through their inclusion in the substance of G7/G20 commitments and through the civil society engagement groups that seek to shape those commitments. It recommends that, to improve compliance, G7 leaders make more climate change commitments, make more highly binding ones, focus them on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Glasgow Summit and link them to sustainable development.