Challenges and lessons for improved land governance in Small Island Developing States
Faatasi Maloga
Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in particular the Pacific Islands SIDS (PI SIDS) are faced with a range of complex issues and challenges on land governance and administration. The high frequency of natural disasters links to climate change and sea level rise pose a real challenge to the land sectors in PI SIDS. The predominant nature of tenure on customary lands with varying degree of governance and administration to manage it hinders progress on making lands system works. Rapid urbanization, land conflicts and tension on land, as well as informal settlement, increases the challenges on land governance and administration in SIDS. Relevant resources and technology needed to support land governance and administration remains a challenge in the land sector, especially in PI SIDS. Capacity building in different areas of the land sector through human resources development programmes needs special attention by our regional and international technical and professional partners such as PGSC, FIG, Castle, UN-GGIM, New Zealanda, Australia and institutions from other developed countries. Similarly, closer ties with potential donor partners is highly essential by way of formulating and implementing effective and efficient tailor- made, fit- for- purpose plans to tackle various challenges in the land sector.
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