Future Policy Award 2012 goes to Palau

The Republic of Palau has been announced as the winner of the Future Policy Award 2012. Palau received the Award in recognition of two outstanding marine policies, Palau’s Protected Areas Network Act, initiated in 2003, and its Shark Haven Act from 2009. The two Silver Awards were bestowed on the Philippines for the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act (2010) and on Namibia for its Marine Resources Act (2000). According to the international jury the three winning policies contribute most effectively to the sustainable management of the world’s oceans and coasts for the benefit of current and future generations. The winners were announced during a press conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 26 September 2012.

The Republic of Palau was selected for two outstanding policies, which are politically bold and tailored to the needs of local people and the environment. Their effects are being felt globally and they have inspired regional legislation in neighbouring countries: Palau’s Shark Haven Act of 2009 is a milestone. It was the first of its kind and will serve to protect over a hundred species of deep water and reef sharks in Palau’s waters. It was enacted despite pressure from international fishing fleets. The effect of the Palauan declaration has been powerful. A number of other countries including Honduras, the Maldives and the Bahamas have since enacted similar laws and banned shark fishing in their national waters.

Palau’s second outstanding marine policy is the Protected Areas Network (PAN) Act that was initiated in 2003. It has all the elements of successful management for people and environment. The framework incorporates a network of nationally representative protected areas, ensuring long-term sustainable use of resources, and has the institutional flexibility to adapt to future changes. Following the concern of the weakening traditional system of protection, the government implemented a countrywide system of connected protected areas including fringing reefs, lagoons, a sardine sanctuary and mangroves.

An international jury composed of experts from academia, politics, international bodies, civil society and indigenous groups from all five continents had assessed the nominations against the World Future Council’s Seven Principles for Future Just Lawmaking. Honourable mentions were bestowed upon South Africa’s Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 and The State of California’s Ocean Protection Act, 2004. In total 31 policies from 22 countries had been nominated for the award.

The announcement of the winning policies in New York will be followed by an awards ceremony on 16 October 2012 at the 11^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Hyderabad, India. The ceremony will be convened by the World Future Council, the UN Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Okeanos Foundation.

For the full article: World Future Council press release