Launch of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership

The Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership Programme has been designed to address some of the most serious challenges faced by the Pacific Islands region. Among these are the increasing depletion of coastal fisheries resources; the threats to marine biodiversity, including negative impacts of climate change and disasters; the uneven contribution of oceanic fisheries to national economic development; the need for improved education and training in the sector; and the need to mainstream a rights-based approach and to promote greater recognition of gender issues within the sector.

This 5-year programme is funded by the European Union (EUR 35 million) with additional targeted support from the government of Sweden (EUR 10 million). The programme provides direct assistance through regional organisations to support regional and national level activities in the Pacific.

The programme will be implemented by four main regional agencies — the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and The University of the South Pacific (USP).

On Thursday 15 November, PEUMP partners and the 15 ACP countries in which the programme will be implemented will meet at SPC headquarters, Noumea, New Caledonia, for a full-day brainstorming about planned activities and outcomes for one of the programme six key results area: ‘Improvement of the sustainable management of coastal fisheries resources and ecosystems’.

The programme foresees concrete deliverables at regional, national and local level. Therefore, country consultations – during the 15 November inception workshop – are pivotal to ensure national ownership and timely responses to national priorities.

With PEUMP, the Swedish Government, EU and Pacific countries established a longstanding partnership on sustainable natural resources management and ocean governance.

PEUMP is an innovative programme that through a holistic, multi-sectoral and community-centred approach contributes to social, economic and environmental development in the Region.

The PEUMP Programme official launch ceremony will conclude the day with a cocktail, starting at 18:30 in SPC gardens.

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