- This module provides an overview of economic and social status of the Pacific island countries.
- A satellite picture of night view of the world is shown. High income regions with high population density is indicated by bright spots, whereas low income regions remain dim.
- Based on statistics from the region, economic and social conditions are analyzed by an Asian Development Bank (ADB) expert. GDP per capita, share of foreign aid, poverty, income disparities, etc. are shown for the Pacific island countries leading to identification of policy priorities.
- Basic conditions are identified as:
(Source: NASA)
(Source: Stephen Pollard, “Development Issues and Perspectives in the Pacific Countries”, contribution to Advanced Seminar in International Environmental Studies: An International, Multi-Institution Pilot of the Asia Pacific Initiative, 2005)
- A diverse conditions
- Weak economic growth
- High dependence on external aid
- Poverty and unemployment
- Weak governance and institutional/management capacities
- Pressures on the rule of law
- Pressures on environments
(Source: Stephen Pollard)
- Global Ocean Observing System identifies Pacific regional issues as follows:
- Unique fragile environments
- Largest odean int eh world and economic importance to Pacific Island Nations (PINs)
- Limited natural resources and low economic diversification
- Geographic isolation of PINs
- Frequent natural disasters (eg. tropical cyclones, flooding, tsunamis)
- Susceptible to impacts of cimate variability (eg. ENSO) and change (EG. Sea level rise)
- Lack of ability to locate, catalogue, and disseminate information
- Desperate need for integrated marine/coastal/water management
(Source: cited in Eileen L. Shea, “Earth and Ocean Observing Systems in the Pacific: Building a Foundation”, contribution to Advanced Seminar in International Environmental Studies: An International, Multi-Institution Pilot for the Asia Pacific Initiative, 2005.)
