Poverty and pro-poor policies for Pacific Island countries.

Abstract

Although generalizations can be misleading given the diversity of Pacific island countries situation the overall trend is that the Polynesian countries have been performing relatively well the Micronesian countries of the north Pacific have been struggling to maintain gains already made while Melanesian countries notably those that have been impacted by natural disasters or where there has been conflict or civil/political tension a reversal of earlier development progress is being witnessed. The result is that many countries in the Pacific are off-track to achieve at least five or more of the eight Millennium Development Goals. Weak fiscal situations the impact of global externalities concern over the future impact of climate change and high levels of domestic rural/urban migration are all factors which are adversely affecting the ability and commitment of Governments in the Pacific to implement the policy initiatives necessary to realize significant achievements towards the Millennium Development Goals. Indeed the impact of oil price rises climate change and demography including the consequences of labour mobility and the growing threat of HIV/AIDS are having profound affects on the likely long-term sustainability of some small island States. These issues therefore set very challenging policy agendas for human development in the Pacific islands. (excerpt)