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.