FIG Congress 2010

On the 14th and 15th April LEI were involved in organising the first Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Workshop during the Sydney FIG Congress 2010. More than 40 island state representatives from the Pacific, Caribbean and Africa joined fellow international land practitioners to discuss the latest developments and challenges facing land administration and management.

The two day seminar brought together small-island developing state (SIDS) representatives through funding support from AusAID, the Food and Agricultural Organization (UNFAO), NZAID and the Commonwealth Foundation. In keeping with the FIG Congress theme ‘Facing the Challenges–Building the Capacity’, the workshop was premised on articulating the input of land professionals in the Pacific and Caribbean and how mechanisms and capacity requirements can be met to ensure effective contribution towards achieving the MDGs. The seminar was structured around four key themes: professional capacity in land administration; response and risk management of climate change and natural disasters; impediments to access of land and resources; and considerations of good land governance and administration.

It was recognised that there is a serious lack in depth and breadth of capacity among the represented island states to effectively adapt to and address the prevailing social, environmental and economic issues facing small island nations. From the recent natural disaster experiences of Samoa and Solomon Islands, a strong message was evident on the contribution towards risk assessment and resilience that can be made by land professionals and practitioners. However it is important to recognise that such contributions need to be communicated at the political and decision making level for the most effective impact and support. Various efforts are being undertaken to address continuing customary land tenure security issues and land conflict resolution mechanisms. Papua New Guinea’s current national land development agenda is progressing rapidly on customary land development mechanisms through their Incorporated Land Groups provoked much discussion.

As a result of the presentations and ensuing discussions at each session, a comprehensive Agenda for Action was drafted. The Agenda for Action outlines capacity building approaches and mechanisms that are required to address the challenges. These involve education and on-the-job exchange opportunities and training to improve professional capacity, utilising advanced technology to transfer knowledge and experiences more effectively between the isolated states, as well as encouraging professional standards and ethical practices that will seek to improve land governance. Effectiveness and sustainability requires building strong relationships and regional networks among land professionals, practitioners, politicians, academics and institutions, professional bodies, global organisations and development agencies to facilitate the agenda on social, economic and capacity development among small island development states.

To further the action agenda of the SIDS workshop it requires individual countries to act responsibly in the region by developing national action plans, while ensuring the Pacific Island Land Professionals Association (PILPA) take ownership and provide the momentum forwards. LEI look forward to taking part and seeing further development thrust along the lines discussed and providing support and guidance to initiatives where possible. When the Agenda for Action for Building Capacity in Small Island Development States is published through FIG, LEI will make this available via their website homepage or can be requested by contacting home@landequity.com.au.