Brazil meeting

SPREP report set for UN’s Brazil meeting

THE South Pacific Regional En vironment Program (SPREP) has launched an environmental manifesto which will be put to the crucial United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Brazil later this year.

The conference is being billed as the world’s first big chance, and also perhaps its last, to move on pressing issues such as global warming.

The SPREP manifesto, entitled The Pacific Way Pacific Island Developing Countries * report to UNCED covers the full range of environmental issues from the link between poverty and over exploitation of natural resources through to species diversity, toxic wastes and nuclear testing.

Its stand on global warming which, like all its recommendations, has been endorsed by regional heads of govern ment and environment ministers, will again set the Pacific Island nations at the forefront of international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

As well as exploring each issue in detail, The Pacific Way clearly sets out the action which must be taken if the manifesto is to be put into practice.

SPREP’s director, Dr Vili Fuavao, is determined this report will not be yet another weighty document sitting on government shelves gathering dust.

At the launch in Sydney, he called for more effort to strengthen the environment capacity of Island nations and asked non-government organis ations to take part in implementation.

The Pacific Way is available from Environment or Foreign Affairs depart ments in all Forum Island countries. □

Fuavao: no dust-collecting reports