Trade has been a part of our way of life for generations however ongoing attempts to have Pacific Island Countries bound by unfair international trade laws threaten Pacific peoples, their environment and their way of life. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are designed to limit what governments can and cannot do with their economies meaning that many policies and regulations that support local industries, the environment, or community welfare aren’t allowed. FTAs are used by rich nations as a way to gain and secure access to Pacific markets and resources with little benefits flowing the other way.
The Pacific is currently dealing with a number of trade agreements ranging from membership to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER-Plus), and more. PANG works to challenge the narrow, neoliberal definition of development that is pushed onto our Pacific through the constraints on development options that legally binding trade agreements enforce. We defend the right for Pacific Island Countries to be economically self-determining.
A People’s Guide to Pacific EU EPA
Big Brothers Behaving Badly 2004
Defending Pacific Ways of Life Full Report
Final Draft Trade Guide Shines Light on Bad Deal
Five top issues on Samoa’s services accession package
Land Trade Brief – Policy Space
Vanuatu Council of Churches says more consultations needed over joining WTO
Vanuatu NGOs reject joining World Trade Organisation
Vanuatu WTO Accession Briefing paper
Big Impacts for small scale fishers
Webinar: Post Cotonou Agreement: Cross Regional Perspectives and Resistance.
Jane Kelsey Interview with Stanley Simpson
