Convention for the Protection of the Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region

Under the Convention for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment, the Parties undertake the obligation to take all appropriate measures in conformity with international law and in accordance with the Convention and the Protocols in force to which they are party to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the Convention Area from any source, and to ensure sound environmental management and development of natural resources, using for this purpose the best practicable means at their disposal and according to their capabilities. The obligation remains even during times of emergencies. For this reason, the parties also have the obligation to develop individual and joint contingency plans for responding to emergency incidents involving pollution or the threat thereof. The Convention does not provide for detailed liabilities in case of non-compliance but instead invites the parties to cooperate in formulating procedures on liability and compensation resulting from pollution.