Regional Policy Guide for Ocean Cities

Ocean Cities are at the forefront of climate change and face many unique urbanisation and development challenges. However, they also offer many positive opportunities for future action. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in partnership with Pacific island developing States has developed a new Ocean Cities Regional Policy Guide.

Concentrating on urban areas in Pacific island developing States, this guide introduces an approach that has been adapted for island systems and local, national, regional and global development plans. Within the context of ongoing urbanisation processes in Pacific island developing States, the guide recognises the important links between the impacts of urban growth and development, climate change impacts, ocean health and coastal systems, and the effect these factors have on the development and resilience of “Ocean Cities”. The Ocean Cities Regional Policy Guide will be launched at the Pacific Urban Forum in Fiji this July.