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Cook Islands Statement at the Whales in a Changing Ocean Conference, Vava'u, Tonga

The Secretariat for Pacific Regional Environment Programme (‘SPREP’) have commissioned Cardno (Qld) Pty Ltd (‘Cardno’) to undertake a comprehensive review of integrated environmental assessment approaches and procedures in Pacific Island Countries (‘PICs’), and to provide advice on regional priorities for capacity building requirements in this regard.

Increasing recognition of the changes in the natural environment as a result of human interference has lead to the international community agreeing on a number of multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs). At the 1992 Earth Summit, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for "sustainable development" – meeting our needs while ensuring that we leave a healthy and viable world for future generations. Three key agreements from the Summit are the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. These three are known as the Rio Conventions.

Increasing recognition of anthropogenic changes in the natural environment as a result of human interference has lead to the international community agreeing on a number of multilateral environmental agreements. At the 1992 Earth Summit, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for "sustainable development" - meeting our needs while ensuring that we leave a healthy and viable world for future generations. Three key agreements from the Summit are the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. These three are known as the Rio Conventions.

National Waste Policy : Defines waste and sets out the general principles which guide how waste issues are dealt with in the Cook Islands

The mandate for developing the National Environment Strategic Action Framework 2005-2009 was given by the Environment Act 2003. The framework provides guidance and direction for achieving sustainable social and economic progress for the Cook Islands by utilising our natural resources and environment wisely. It aims to sustain efforts generated from growing environmental awareness to protect, conserve and manage our environment and natural resources.

This Summary document has been produced as a means to relay key national issues/messages regarding sustainable development to:| Assist in ensuring national based messages are conveyed in the regional assessment document and deliberations for WSSD at the regional and international level;| Provide the stimulus for countries to finalise their National Assessment Reports (NARs)