Small island developing states in the Pacific region have social and economic structural features that create risks and challenges for development. These intersect with and are often compounded by the impacts of climate and environmental hazards.
The economies of the region are heavily orientated toward the ‘blue economy’ sectors of beach-based tourism and fisheries. The SIDS with somewhat larger territories and volcanic soils have relatively more important agriculture and forestry sectors, as in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
The report focuses especially on gender equality, social inclusion and safeguarding issues, and the way in which these are, in many cases, entwined with climate and environmental degradation. The report: provides an overview of key structural inequalities relevant to the sustainable blue economy and its development in the Pacific; explores opportunities for addressing social inequities, reducing risks and empowering marginalized groups as part of sustainable blue economy investments; and highlights vital considerations for safeguarding and avoidance of harm.
This report is an output from a project led by the CLEAN Helpdesk, funded by UK International Development.
CITATION: Dupar, M. and Lindsay, C. (2025). Gender equality, disability and social inclusion in Pacific blue economies. Cape Town and London: CLEAN Helpdesk.
