The second annual Tracking development and governance in the Pacific report has found that the Pacific region is seriously off track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.
The report monitors progress towards the MDGs in the region and assesses the performance of Pacific island countries and development partners. The report focuses on the Pacific island countries of Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. It includes Timor-Leste—in this case as a reference country—because it shares many characteristics of Pacific countries.
While some countries in the Pacific have made good progress against, and even achieved some MDG targets, the same cannot be said of the entire region.
Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have more than halved their rates of malaria infection between 2003 and 2008 showing that quick development gains are possible with strong commitments from government and development partners.
However, around 400,000 children across the region are still not making it into a primary school. Around 64 out of every 1,000 children in the region are still dying before the age of five. This is despite significant investments by development partners.
The report concludes that a new development framework is required to ensure the Pacific keeps pace with better international development practice. Transparent and accountable use of all development resources is necessary to increase progress towards the MDGs. Clear and measurable commitments are required to improve coordination and accelerate progress towards mutually agreed development outcomes.
The Pacific Partnerships for Development commit Australia and Pacific island countries to work together to address these challenges.
More information:
Report: Tracking Development and Governance in the Pacific 2009
Speech: The Role of Foreign Aid in Responding to the Economic Crisis in the Pacific Islands Region
Media Release: Tracking Development and Governance in the Pacific
