Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific
Encyclopedia
The Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) is an inter-organisational consultative process which aims to prevent either overlaps, or gaps, appearing between the work-programmes of its various members.
Membership includes the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
(SPC), the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
(SPREP), the South Pacific Tourism Organisation
, the University of the South Pacific
(USP), the Pacific Islands Development Programme, the Fiji School of Medicine
and the Pacific Power Association (PPA). Before their absorption by the SPC in 2010 and 2011, the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
and the South Pacific Board for Educational Assessment had been members, too.
CROP heads of organisations meet once each year, but the main consultative work is done by a series of sectoral working groups, including Marine Resources http://www.spc.int/piocean, Health and Population, Land Resources, Education, Information and Communication Technologies, etc. These working groups are responsible for collaboratively working on various regional projects and policy initiatives. For example, the CROP Marine Sector Working Group has shepherded the intergovernmental agreement and promotion of the Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy while the CROP ICT Working Group has shephered the Pacific Islands ICT Policy and Strategic Plan
(PIIPP).
The CROP interagency working groups also provide technical advice to Pacific Islands Forum
intergovernmental working groups taking part in United Nations and other international negotiations and processes, on request. Since the implementation of the Pacific Plan however, the role of these CROP working groups has diminished.
Membership includes the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Pacific Islands Forum
The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean. It was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum...
, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community, or SPC , is a regional intergovernmental organisation whose membership includes both nations and territories...
(SPC), the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
Pacific Regional Environment Programme
The Pacific Regional Environment Programme is an intergovernmental organisation charged with promoting cooperation, supporting protection and improvement of the Pacific islands environment, and ensuring its sustainable development...
(SPREP), the South Pacific Tourism Organisation
South Pacific Tourism Organisation
south-pacific.travel is the mandated inter-governmental body for the tourism sector in the South Pacific. It markets, promotes and develops Tourism in the South Pacific in overseas markets...
, the University of the South Pacific
University of the South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific is a public university with a number of locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. It is an international centre for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment. USP's academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting students...
(USP), the Pacific Islands Development Programme, the Fiji School of Medicine
Fiji School of Medicine
The Fiji School of Medicine is a tertiary institution based in Suva, Fiji. Originally established in 1885 as the Suva Medical School. After merger with leading institutions in 2010, FSM is now called called College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences under Fiji National University. It striving...
and the Pacific Power Association (PPA). Before their absorption by the SPC in 2010 and 2011, the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
The Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission is an inter-governmental regional organisation dedicated to providing services to promote sustainable development in the countries it serves.-Members:...
and the South Pacific Board for Educational Assessment had been members, too.
CROP heads of organisations meet once each year, but the main consultative work is done by a series of sectoral working groups, including Marine Resources http://www.spc.int/piocean, Health and Population, Land Resources, Education, Information and Communication Technologies, etc. These working groups are responsible for collaboratively working on various regional projects and policy initiatives. For example, the CROP Marine Sector Working Group has shepherded the intergovernmental agreement and promotion of the Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy while the CROP ICT Working Group has shephered the Pacific Islands ICT Policy and Strategic Plan
Pacific Islands ICT Policy and Strategic Plan
The Pacific Islands ICT Policy and Strategic Plan was approved by Pacific Islands Forum leaders in 2000. The vision of the plan is Internet for Every Pacific Islander. This plan has been used as a template for developing national Information and Communication Technologies policies in the Pacific...
(PIIPP).
The CROP interagency working groups also provide technical advice to Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific Islands Forum
The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean. It was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum...
intergovernmental working groups taking part in United Nations and other international negotiations and processes, on request. Since the implementation of the Pacific Plan however, the role of these CROP working groups has diminished.