This document contains details on an act to provide for the prevention of marine pollution, the dumping and transportation of other waste in Cook Islands Waters by vessels and to give effect to various international conventions on marine pollution and protection of the marine environment.

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This document contains details on an Act to make provision for the regulation and control of the importation and sale of pesticides.

This document contains details on the prohibitions of controlled substances in Cook Islands.

The NSDP 2011-2015 is the second planning phase in our journey of Te Kaveinga Nui towards the achievement of desired 2020 development outcomes and our National Vision - ‘to enjoy the highest quality of life consistent with the aspirations of our people, and in harmony with our culture and environment’.

This document contains details on the act to establish a Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust with the necessary resources and powers to investigate, identify, research, study, classify, record, issue, preserve and arrange publications, exhibitions, displays and generally educate the public on the science of, and traditional practices and knowledge relating to, the flora and fauna of the Cook Islands.

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The government plans to address these challenges by strengthening the CSS framework and building the capacity of its key ministries. To this end ADB has provided support to Vanuatu through a subproject under the Technical Assistance for Strengthening and Use of Country Safeguard Systems (RETA 7566-REG). This technical assistance (TA) subproject is intended to support government initiatives to build capacity for strengthening the application of the CSS for environment in Vanuatu.

The background of the TA was the need for Vanuatu to successfully apply CSS for a series of forthcoming infrastructure projects. The current environmental safeguards system was established in recent years and the director of DEPC is keen to review the performance of environmental safeguards with a view to improving them not only for the larger infrastructure projects but all activities subject to environmental assessment in Vanuatu.

This manual also provides an overview for other agencies and project proponents should they wish to explore the environmental permitting process under the Environmental Protection and Conservation Act (EPC Act) in detail. Guidelines have been specifically developed for applicants and others to assist and also raise awareness of environmental permitting requirements for projects. These guidelines and application forms are included within the Annexes to this report.

This manual also provides an overview for other agencies and project proponents should they wish to explore the environmental permitting process under the Environmental Protection and Conservation Act (EPC Act) in detail. Guidelines have been specifically developed for applicants and others to assist and also raise awareness of environmental permitting requirements for projects. These guidelines and application forms are included within the Annexes to this report.

This study was contracted under Regional Technical Assistance (RETA) 7655: Strengthening Country Safeguards Systems, PNG: Country Safeguards Review. This RETA aims to strengthen PNG’s country safeguards system (CSS) in the near term. It will support analysis of PNG’s CSS and preparation of an action plan to enhance its capacity on environmental safeguards in the energy (hydropower and transmission) sector. The RETA is the first phase of TA support to strengthen CSS capacity. It is expected that the agreed consolidated action plan will form the basis for a next phase of TA.