United Nations in Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Samoa:

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09 April 2021

Samoa votes!

Polling was orderly and the queues good natured as Samoa began its day of national elections. Those who had voted already were proud to show off their purple thumbs – the result of indelible ink marked on those who have already gone to a polling station and voted - and a clear indication that someone has participated in a vital function of democratic governance. More than 128,000 Samoans are eligible to vote and voting is compulsory. There are 192 candidates standing, of whom 22 are women, contesting 51 seats for a five-year term in the legislative assembly. This election will see some changes to the electoral laws, which are aimed at improving transparency. Some of these changes include pre-polling for the elderly and disabled, and changes to the rules regarding political candidates transporting and feeding voters heading to the polls. Preliminary results of the election are likely to be announced tonight.

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10 February 2021

Drug use is a health issue – we need to decriminalize

Earlier this month, and in December 2020 the government conducted operations that resulted in the confiscation of a total of 1,400 grams of methamphetamine at the border, smuggled from the US. The law enforcement officials (from the Ministry of Customs and Revenue and the Ministry of Police and Prisons) that intercepted these drugs deserve congratulations for their professionalism and skill. Meth is destructive and harmful - and it is good to see this potential threat removed from the community. As small as this bust is by global standards, 1,400 grams in a couple of months is a record for Samoa (there were only two convictions for methamphetamine possession in Samoa in 2017). Perhaps it is inevitable that we will see an increase in seizures. As COVID-19 ravishes the economy and exacerbates inequality, some may look to less than legal means to supplement their dwindling incomes, and drug use is known to increase in communities facing economic hardship. Governments need to work to reduce drug consumption – especially with respect to more harmful substances like meth and opioids, which have devastated poor communities around the world. For example, there were more than 67,000 overdose deaths in the US alone in 2018. Thankfully, so far, Samoa has avoided this degree of harm. But while it is sometimes tempting to “crack down” (no pun intended) in the face of an emerging perceived threat, we must resist the urge to increase legal penalties. We should be decriminalizing drug use and possession. Drugs are a serious health and social issue, not a moral one. Reducing consumption requires a health and socially focused response, not moral panic. This must include carefully thought out laws that emphasize prevention, education and harm reduction. We need properly funded community based support services that help and protect vulnerable people, and assist them in escaping degrading and difficult circumstances. Stopping drug use will not be achieved through hastily drafted legislation that further criminalizes addiction. By discouraging the demand for drugs, we can actually be more effective in tackling drug trafficking and putting an end to the human suffering caused by increased consumption. This is not just my opinion – but the official policy of the United Nations, the Global Commission on Drug Policy, and multiple governments around the world. Canada, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, and numerous Australian and US states are among the many jurisdictions that have embraced the global trend towards less repression of drug users. A recent example of this is New Zealand’s 2019 Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill, which gives police discretion to take a health-centred approach rather than prosecuting those in possession of drugs. Since its enactment in 1967, Samoa’s Narcotics Act has only been amended twice, in 2006 and 2009 respectively. An official report in 2017 says that these amendments “were inadequate to address the prevalence of drug-related issues in Samoa and the new developments in the evolving drug environment.” There is a clear need to reform Samoa’s ancient drug legislation, but we must reform in line with the best available evidence. Tougher prison sentences have not been shown to deter possession, reduce offending or diminish the social or health issues associated with drug use. They have only been shown to intensify and complicate these problems. Calling for decriminalization is by no means an endorsement of drug use – but an appeal to look towards the evidence. Samoa has been a willing participant in the global “war on drugs” – adopting the broken criminalization model for more than 50 years. (If you are fighting a “war” for more than five decades and you haven’t “won,” you need to reassess your strategy.) Prohibition has only succeeded in creating an illegal market ruled by violence, corruption and insecurity. Samoa must adopt better practices and distance itself from the failings of this ideologically-driven approach. Originally published as an op-ed by Simona Marinescu, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, and Tokelau - in the Samoa Observer - 10 February 2021.

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02 February 2021

UN will review Samoa’s human rights record this year

The Geneva based Human Rights Council will conduct its third “Universal Periodic Review” (UPR) of Samoa’s progress on protecting and enforcing human rights at a special meeting to be held later this year. The UPR is a routine process by which the Human Rights Council, (an intergovernmental body made up of 47 United Nations Member States elected by the UN General Assembly), cross-examines government officials on their rights record. Samoa’s third UPR will take place in November 2021 most likely via video link. A series of reports will be submitted to the Council including from the United Nations, the independent Human Rights Institution in the Office of the Ombudsman, the government, NGOs and civil society. These will detail the official and public perception of how human rights are enforced in the country – and where access to rights is lacking. The UN in Samoa is writing its report now, to be submitted by 25 March. Samoan individuals and organizations will also have an opportunity to submit to the Human Rights Council during this UPR find out how here. The reports and the review will reflect on progress made since the last UPR (in 2016) that made 129 recommendations. Ninety one (73 percent) of these recommendations were “supported” by the Government of Samoa, while 38 were “noted.” Additionally, the reports will highlight any emerging issues from the 2016 UPR that affected or have the potential to affect people’s full exercise of human rights. They will include an analysis of whether or not Samoa is aligned with international standards on human rights, and how well Samoa is doing in terms of protecting and enforcing the rights of children, women, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQI community as a result of the ratification of five major human rights treaties, including: The Universal Declaration on Human Rights The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights The Convention on the Rights of the Child The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Samoa’s Constitution guarantees certain fundamental human rights, including the right to life, personal liberty, a fair trial, religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom from inhumane treatment, freedom from forced labour, freedom of assembly and free association, freedom of movement and residence, individual rights regarding property, and freedom from discriminatory legislation. However, while the country’s rights record is generally well respected on a global level, the last review noted several issues remain. Of prominent note was the fact that gender equality advances at a low pace due to Samoa’s patriarchal culture, and women’s poor access to employment, property, credit and bank loans. The review also urged the government to act urgently to reduce gender-based violence – which continues to occur at high levels. Other challenges likely to feature in the upcoming review include the measles crisis in 2019, which may have highlighted inequalities in the provision of healthcare, and the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in 2020 and the resulting increase in inequality and poverty. Progress on reporting on ratified treaties as well as recent legislative changes including the package of laws adopted in 2020 (the Land and Titles Court Bill 2020, the Judicature Amendment Bill 2020 and the Constitution Amendment Bill 2020) will also be analyzed in the UN report from a human rights perspective. This is will be the third time that Samoa’s rights record has been reviewed through this process, with previous reviews occurring in 2011 and 2016. In preparation of the UPR report, the Government of Samoa launched on 27 January national consultations with key duty bearers in a meeting of the National Mechanism on Implementation Reporting and Follow Up that reviewed the process of development of the national report to the HRC, which is due on 9 August. Find out how to make a submission on behalf of yourself or your organization.

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18 September 2022

Samoa Spotlight Initiative programme wins Leave No One Behind Award.

The four walls of the Paradisus Conference Hall in Cancun, Mexico shook at the sound of the Samoan celebratory singing as the delegation was called on stage to receive the “Leaving No One Behind” prestigious award of the Global Spotlight Initiative. Through singing and dancing, both in the Pacific and on the global stage, Samoan women express their love of life, their love for the family and the values keeping the community together. And they sang tonight for the world to hear that Samoa leads the way in ending violence against women and children everywhere. It’s Sunday, 18 September early evening in Samoa, Saturday 17 September late at night in Cancun, but nobody is sleeping as the great news come out- the Spotlight Initiative programme in Samoa receives Global Spotlight recognition for its inclusive dialogue approach around a dramatic reality of increasing numbers of victims of domestic and intimate partner violence. “In many ways, the award gives voice to the painful silence surrounding victims of domestic violence, women and children who are denied the basic right to a dignified life” says UN Resident Coordinator in Samoa, Simona Marinescu. Gratitude and tears of joy overwhelmed the Samoan delegation led by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development, Dr. Mema Motusaga, Co-Chair of the CSO National Reference Group Fagalima Tuatagaloa, Gabrielle Apelu of Apelu Sports representing the Regional CSO NRG and Youth Representative Gutu Faasau, as they gracefully danced their way over to the stage to receive the award. Finally, Samoa and our efforts towards ending violence against women have been recognized, Civil Society National Reference Group Co-Chair Fagalima Tuatagaloa said when receiving the award. The Spotlight Initiative in Samoa is a nationally owned programme funded by the European Union through a dedicated partnership with the United Nations to end violence against women and girls. “The programme continues to achieve results because the Spotlight Initiative Team listened and designed interventions to suit the context of our communities, their level of knowledge and their capacities to deliver”, Fagalima added. Dr Mema Motusaga, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development said that "The award this evening symbolises the whole of Samoa collective efforts to ending violence against women and girls. The Community lead initiatives by all sectors of the Samoa community really manifested the Samoan context of LNOB - ITS THE COLLECTIVE NOT THE INDIVIDUAL, it symbolises Samoa standing in unity to end Violence. For us who are known as Feagaiga Tausi a Aiga, we are reminded again tonight that our MALU is in the hands of Samoa as a collective. Acknowledge with gratitude the European Union, UNDP Resident Coordinator and the SPOTLIGHT iniative Team. UN Resident Coordinator Simona Marinescu, cheering from Samoa on social media was highly emotional stating that “the award is the highest recognition of Samoa’s work under the Spotlight Initiative. We have come a long way, yet more is needed for women and children everywhere to live without fear.” The five programmes nominated for the “Leave No One Behind” Award included Samoa, Liberia, Tajkistan, Honduras and Zimbabwe. The Award recognizes the Spotlight Initiative programme team’s commitment to the Leave No One Behind principle of the 2030 Agenda. The programme is assisted in Samoa by UNDP, UNESCO, UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA and the UN Resident Coordinator Office working closely with the Civil Society National Reference Group, a mechanism of 10 CSO representatives aiming to ensure that, in ending domestic and intimate partner violence in Samoa, dignity of victims is protected including through high-quality services while root causes of violence are being identified and addressed.

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13 September 2022

Time to remove barriers over quality education for the Small Islands Developing States

With 147 million children missing half of their in-person instruction over the last two years and around 24 million never returning to school, our humanity is experiencing a deep learning crisis. There is no substitute for good education and, as the challenges of our time continue to grow, it is impossible to imagine a future of prosperity and peace on a healthy planet without a functional, forward looking and highly performing education system everywhere and benefiting all people. Recognizing the importance of investment in human capitals for countries to overcome the impact of multiple crises and restore growth and development, world leaders will gather at the ‘Transforming Education Summit’ (TES) that the UN Secretary-General will convene on 16, 17 and 19 September alongside the 77th UN General Assembly to mobilize political ambition, joint action, and solutions for a forward looking and adequately financed quality education system. In preparation for the TES, with the assistance of the United Nations Country Teams, governments conducted in partnership with the civil society, academia, and the private sector nation-wide consultations to reimagine the education systems and equip young generations with the knowledge and the skills required to respond to existential threats and reverse the decline of the global system. Due to their inherent vulnerabilities as identified in the development of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among countries most affected by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Supply chain disruptions and resulting shortages and high energy and food prices brought SIDS under high debt distress. The severely constrained fiscal space by declining tourism affected the capacity of SIDS governments to reform their education systems and provide viable solutions for remote learning. SIDS are among the countries with the highest number of days where no online teaching was possible while schools were fully closed because of COVID-19. With rates of youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) among the highest in the world and limited income opportunities in domestic markets, SIDS labour migration to fill shortages in or beyond the region represents a structural necessity and a solution to end joblessness. As a result, remittances inflows fuel demand for and reliance on imported goods with no way out unless a breakthrough is made possible through redesigned education systems to enable digital transformation and economic diversification. In Samoa and across the Pacific, poverty and suboptimal nutrition, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, and the widening mismatch between the education and the labour market are key drivers of low learning performance, early school dropouts and high rates of youth NEET with the highest in Nauru (51.3%) followed by Kiribati (47.6%), Vanuatu (43.19) and Samoa (37.9%). Our recent analysis titled How Do Structural Vulnerabilities Impede Progress Towards Achieving SDG4 (Quality Education) in Small Island Developing States found a strong positive correlations between the public investment in education is inversely corelated with the youth NEET rates and the overall education outcomes. To address the complex root causes of declining learning performance of children, the United Nations in Samoa mobilized significant resources from the Joint SDG Fund and other instruments for a series of strategic interventions to introduce a social protection floor, end domestic violence including violence against children through the Spotlight Initiative, develop an Integrated National Financing Framework to improve management of development financing and, very importantly, transform Samoa into a knowledge society. The latter programme titled Samoa-Knowledge Society Initiative (SKS-I) jointly implemented by UNDP and UNESCO generated critically needed digital resources such as a free-access digital library, a lifelong learning platform to enable continued learning using online solutions and an open research platform for academic partnerships in knowledge production for sustainable development. To incentivize youth to continue education and acquire professional skills that give access to better paying jobs, the United Nations in the Pacific in its new Cooperation Framework 2023-2027 places greater emphasis on expanding investment in blue, green and circular economies, digital transformation and natural capital conservation. With resources from the Joint SDG Fund, an inventory of ecosystem services complemented by economic valuation is under implementation in Samoa, led by UNEP, UNESCAP and UNESCO, to diversify sources of growth and improve debt sustainability. Access to nutritious food for better health and education outcomes is the main objective of the recently launched programme under the Joint SDG Fund development emergency modality to reimagine Samoa’s and other Pacific countries’ food systems with the assistance of FAO and WFP. While considerable work is underway, SIDS progress towards the SDGs remains low unless access to financial means is facilitated including through the adoption of the MVI in 2022 in line with General Assembly resolution A/RES/76/203. Most importantly, redesigning social contracts including expanding access to adequately financed quality education remains a prerequisite for resilience in SIDS.

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26 August 2022

The UN and LIFE-Con work with fashion designers in their part to address Climate Change.

The messages are loud and clear. "The Pacific islands contribute so little to gas emissions, yet bear the brunt of climate change, natural disasters and environmental damage." "We are not drowning, we are fighting" These are a couple of messages voiced on international stages of conference halls packed with policy makers, analysts, advocates and anyone with a purpose in the global mission towards reducing human suffering because of climate change. Words and action go together, and that is a simple description of the efforts of a small island developing state, like Samoa, to manage Climate Change. Samoa is proud of its Climate Change advocates, voicing the visible damage to the lands and oceans of the Pacific region including Samoa for the world to understand how the actions of big industrial countries are impacting on the small islands. There are also advocates working with people at the ground level to ensure that we act and move to do what is right to minimize the harm we do to the environment and worsening the effects of Climate Change. The fashion designers in Samoa is another group of advocates and actors in the Climate Change space, who have stepped up to play their part to support national efforts in addressing Climate Change. As reported by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change the fashion industry by the 21st Century has been found to be responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. "It was interesting to learn about sustainable fashion and the role of the industry to prioritise social issues such as safe and fair working conditions and remuneration and the environmental issues such as the industry’s waste stream, water usage and pollution and contributions to greenhouse gas emissions," said Tyra who was one of the participants. "Approximately 20 new garments are made for each person every year on this planet and fashion purchases have increased 60% since 2000," the report adds. This is a concern, and a thought to bring together interested designers to learn, share ideas and be committed to sustainable fashion was realized in the Basic Design Workshop and Sustainable Fashion held within the three days of events leading up to the main LIFE Con Fashion Show. Delivered by Samoa's high achieving fashion designer Afa Ah Loo, his personality and knowledge of fashion designing was very much appreciated by the 15 participants of young, talented and aspiring fashion designers. "I'm grateful to the UN for the opportunity to deliver this workshop and there is no other time for designers to be well informed about the waste we produce from clothing and even the social hardships faced by garment workers," Afa said. The workshop was jointly supported by the Resident Coordinators Office as part of its Sustainable Development Goals - Keeping the Promise advocacy campaigns and the UNDP 3rd National Communication project implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment in partnership with the LIFE-Con Pacific. The LIFE-Con Fashion Show to conclude the 3 days event will showcase a special line of recycled wearable fashion. This is is to spark the creativity of the designers to make fashionable wearable garment from old clothes.

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08 August 2022

Agricultural market functions and prices are crucial for food security.

Learning and sharing knowledge to develop crucial tools for functional agricultural markets to ensure food abundance and to better serve the needs of the people especially in the face of these unprecedented global challenges was the gist of conversations in a two day workshop convened by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the University of South Pacific. These great minds in the agricultural space including farmers, exporters, vendors, policymakers, technical advisors discussed how to designed three critical tools, relevant and responsive to the context of the local markets and within the challenging conditions of disasters and health crisis. The Price Monitoring System, a tool that keeps track of changes in market produce supplies and prices. The Market Functionality Index, another useful tool that evaluate the functionality of the market through assortment of essential goods, availability, price, resilience of supply chains, competition, infrastructure, services, food quality and access and protection. Most importantly is the Minimum Expenditure Basket which is quite important because this tool assesses the household essential needs from the market and the cost they pay. These tools guide critical market assessments for data based decision-making, to inform the design of social protection and disaster responsive policies. “Data- driven decision making is at the heart of WFP’s research and monitoring programmes in the Pacific. WFP appreciates the opportunity to work with the Government of Samoa and the University of South Pacific to safeguard household food security in Samoa and to design effective disaster response measures ,” Mr Alpha Bah, Country Director of WFP’s Pacific Multi-Country Office. “Local markets are the most fundamental reflection of the food security conditions of any country. Through these critical market assessments and analyses we can inform social protection policies that reflect the needs of the most vulnerable people as accurately as possible, especially after a disaster, “he added. “During these difficult times with prolonged effects from global crisis, it is vital that relevant monitoring and assessment tools are utilized to determine the level of food and nutrition security in Samoa. The availability of reliable and timely data is encouraged to support evidence-based decision making and policy formulation, “ said Mr Tilafono David Hunter, CEO of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of Samoa.

“The Government of Samoa through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries wishes to acknowledge the continued support of the UN World Food Programme in the development of the Agriculture and Fisheries sector.”

WFP also handed over 20 tablets to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to strengthen capacity in digital data collection that will streamline the Ministry’s data management channels. About WFP The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change. Twitter @WFPAsiaPacific @wfp_media For media inquiries:
Maria Shumusti
WFP Pacific Multi-Country Office
maria.shumusti@wfp.org + 679 7208806

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07 August 2022

Changing behaviors to protect children from violence

‘When you are safe in your own home, you are safe anywhere”. It is the simple translation of the Samoan proverb, “A e malu I fale, e te malu I fafo.” "Malu i fale, is the grounding concept of a multimedia campaign to reduce family violence in Samoa launched under the Spotlight Initiative by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, UNICEF, the European Union, the Samoa Victim Support Group, and key media partners. The multimedia campaign produced a series of products and messages to promote gender-equitable, child-friendly, and violence-free norms, attitudes, and behaviors, especially within the family. The messages will reach community members in Samoa via mainstream and digital platforms, including television, radio and social media, and will be reinforced by sustained community dialogues with faith leaders, village chiefs, parents and caregivers, as well as adolescents themselves, to promote behavior change. The National Multi-Media Campaign to Reduce Family Violence in Samoa, is one of the many significant components of the Spotlight Initiative in Samoa through the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, and aims to raise awareness and improve knowledge and understanding on the nature, causes and consequences of family violence across the whole society, as well as promote social and behavior change in relation to norms regarding gender and violence, among children and adults. In developing these key messages, the campaign team utilized evidence from existing sources and organized consultation workshops with communities to guide their work. https://fb.watch/eL_XSnjXzP/ The Associate Minister for the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, Seuamuli Fasi Toma, emphasized in his keynote address that the wholistic approach to address family violence and the impact on children lies in strong partnership between the Government, civil societies, development partners, the church and villages. “Our values of respect, love and care are key in all our efforts to defeat this disturbing issue, the Associate Minister added. The UNICEF Pacific Representative, Jonathon Veitch, who provided the remarks on behalf of the development partners at the Launch, emphasized that “Exposure to violence in childhood is strongly associated with future victimization and perpetration of abuse,” and that “any form of violence decreases a child’s ability to function, and this impact may be irreversible. Mr. Veitch further added that UNICEF believes that one case of child abuse is already too many. Every child should feel safe and protected at all times.” This National Multi-Media Campaign therefore has a specific lens on encouraging child protection through the introduction of positive parenting guidance, in the form of engaging trainings, and through the creation of media products that will be widely disseminated via multiple media platforms throughout the country. https://fb.watch/eL-2jp850Z/ The Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, with support from its UN and EU partners, civil society organizations, faith based organsations, village committees, families, and young people, will continue to roll out the National Multimedia Campaign to promote a safe environment in Samoa for all children, to live safely and be protected from any type of abuse.

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Press Release

01 August 2022

Timely support given to honey production in Samoa.

Apia, Samoa – The recently formed Samoa Apiculture Organization (SAO), is the recipient of a financial grant of US$100,000 from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP). The grant will go towards improving the understanding and knowledge of apiculture, capacity development and training of local beekeepers to strengthen knowledge and skills in beekeeping to realize better beekeeping practices and greater production. This in turn will assist in improving the capacity of locally-trained and available expertise on-island to create a sustainable apiculture industry in Samoa. An inception workshop was held on Wednesday this week to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the organization and the UNDP GEF-SGP, making official the grant handover. “In light of the global pandemic and everything happening around the world currently, it is imperative that we continue to keep our eye on the environment and climate change. We need to continue to be vigilant in our quest for the protection of our natural heritage, especially in our vulnerable communities. Resilience is built when we build up those who are most at risk. This is where the SGP comes in, and why we are always excited about the work SGP does, working directly with local communities to promote actions and initiatives that benefit vulnerable populations and support efforts on sustainable development. This boost to the local apiculture industry is a great example of this,” said Jorn Sorensen, Resident Representative, UNDP Samoa. SAO currently has more than 40 financial members, with 57% of the membership being women, who are either farmers, growers, hobbyists, or commercial beekeepers. According to recently sourced data, Samoa has approximately 400 active hives. Previously, there had been no consistent beekeeping data collection that had been shared within the industry. Data collection for the apiculture industry is a priority area that SAO aims to address by implementing proper data collection and management systems for the organization and its membership. “I wish to acknowledge and thank the UNDP Resident Representative, Jorn Sorensen, the GEF SGP National Steering Committee Chair, Nynette Sass, and the National Coordinator, Lilomaiava Filifilia Iosefa, for giving SAO this opportunity. It is important for us to work diligently within our mandate of establishing, maintaining, and improving the apiculture and beekeeping industry in Samoa and we can only achieve this through these types of funding opportunities and building sustainable long-term partnerships and relationships with government and the community,” said Richard Wetzell, SAO President. Key stakeholder partnerships are a priority for SAO for the successful rolling out of the apiculture projects. Establishing partnerships with established commercial beekeepers and their apiaries is key for SAO, as well as the important partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries towards the establishment of a Community Apiculture Resource and Learning Centre for the future. Since its establishment in Samoa in 2003, SGP has supported environment-related programmes, delivering an estimated US$5.2 million dollars for 266 small grant projects on climate knowledge and advocacy, capacity building, financing, technology transfer, adaptation and mitigation.

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Press Release

26 July 2022

FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific launches its 2021 Annual Report

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands launched its 2021 Annual Report on 15 July 2022. The report was launched at the official launching ceremony that took place online and physically in Apia, Samoa and Port Villa, Vanuatu. Ministers from the Government of Samoa and Vanuatu, Ambassadors of China and Japan, three UN Resident Coordinators from the Pacific, together with government stakeholders from Samoa and across the Pacific, the private sector, UN agencies and donor partners were all in attendance to witness the launching. The newly launched report presents the results that FAO-led projects and programmes contributed to the timely and effective joint response by FAO as part of the United Nations family, governments and other partners under various thematic clusters including climate change, emergencies, fisheries and aquaculture. It also looks at longer-term gains made in forestry, livestock, and nutrition and food safety work and highlights how statistics and policy programmes supported key data, reporting, planning and decision-making, including assisting several nations to develop various national censuses. Several 2021 success stories were shared, including the SIDS Solutions Forum co-organized by FAO, Fiji, and ITU in August 2021 as well as the launch of the first-ever Virtual Learning Centre for the Pacific Islands region. To launch the report was Ms Xiangjun Yao, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands. She thanked the Pacific Governments for the excellent coordination and cooperation throughout the 26 years of the Office’s existence: “All of these achievements would not have been possible without the continued support and trust of our resource, technical and development partners. We are proud to serve the governments and people of the Pacific countries. Thank you for your trust and support, I sincerely hope that our collaboration will only strengthen the future for the benefit of all.” Ms Yao also thanked the Government of Samoa for hosting the FAO Pacific Office in its capital, Apia. At the Ministerial segment of the event, Hon. Minister of Agriculture for Samoa, Laauli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi spoke on the SIDS Solutions Forum that FAO and Samoa Co-hosted in August 2021. He stated that, “this was an important activity for our partnership because it happened during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis. But more importantly, it allowed our collective Pacific commitment to share the world of locally creative innovation and creativity and how can we collaborate creatively to enhance the achievements of the SDGs”. He also highlighted in his speech how thankful he is with the partnership and collaboration the Ministry and FAO have for 26 years now and grateful for the opportunities from FAO through all the years. Other guest speakers and guests consisted of Hon. Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, the Minister for Communications and Information Technology. Hon. Silas Bule Melve, the Minister of Climate Change, Vanuatu; H.E Mr Senta Keisuke, the Ambassador of Japan in Samoa; H.E. Mr Chao Xiaoliang, the Ambassador of China in Samoa; Mrs Temarama Anguna – Kamana, Head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands; and Ms Fiona Lynn, Director, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia - all of whom acknowledged FAO for the successful work that has been done in 2021 and way forward. The event was enriched by thought-provoking statements from three UN Resident Coordinators in the Pacific discussing the challenges and issues across the region. Mr Sanaka Samarasinha, UN Resident Coordinator in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu emphasized the work that FAO is doing in advancing the national food systems transformation agendas: “The approach to food has to change; from seeing food as a commodity to looking at systems. The work that FAO, along with UN agencies, did to support the countries across the Pacific in preparation for the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit is seminal”. Ms Simona Marinescu, UN Resident Coordinator in Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, and Tokelau stated that the Annual report of FAO, like any other report of the United Nations, follows accountability roles in the organization and presents results that are accompanied by very high-quality evidence. Simona thanked Ms Yao for her leadership in 2021 and congratulated her and the team for all their achievements. Finally, Mr Jaap van Hierden UN Resident Coordinator in Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Kiribati noted that “It will be a challenge to tackle the high dependency on food imports […] and prices that are becoming more and more expensive due to the turbulences in the food, energy and financial sectors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. I am pleased to note that FAO together with other UN agencies is committed to supporting their governments in addressing these complex challenges. FAO has provided crucial support to those small island countries in the Pacific and will scale up its engagement within the broader UN Pacific Cooperation Framework.” The event ended with closing remarks by Mr Takayuki Hagiwara, Regional Programme Leader, talking on behalf of the Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. “The hallmark of FAO work in the Pacific during the coming years will focus on the partnerships and collaboration with a particular reference to the feedback provided over this annual report, which is most useful and appreciated”. FAO has also reflected on the future of its support to the governments and peoples of the Pacific. Ms Yao showcased a series of upcoming projects around the Pacific to support the development and sustainable management of projects linked to promoting healthy food environments, accelerating digital agriculture transformation, improving environmental health, strengthening transboundary animal diseases (TADs) preparedness and response, supporting family farming etc. By analyzing the past success and challenges and reflecting on future opportunities, FAO is excited to strengthen technical and resources partnership and scale up its support achieve better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life in the Pacific, leaving no one behind

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Press Release

20 July 2022

New partnership signed to enhance local research.

The Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have signed an agreement for the partnership to support local research in Samoa. This partnership is a result of the UN Joint Programme on Ecosystem Services Building Forward Better by Safeguarding Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services (commonly called, UNJP on Ecosystem Services). The UNJP on Ecosystem Services is supporting the development of policy and planning, collection of data and valuation of ecosystem services to support the development of scenarios for the future, reporting against sustainable development goals (SDGs) 11-15, and building a case for investment in ecosystem services. The ecosystem services are central to human wellbeing, which are critical for the realization of SDGs 1 to 3. The UNJP on Ecosystem Services is a joint initiative of the United Nations’ Joint SDG Fund and the Government of Samoa. It is led by UNESCO with UNEP and UNESCAP as the participating UN organizations and SPREP as the regional partner. The national implementing partners are the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and SROS. The partnership with SROS brings WST 160700.80 in phase 1 and would add WST 77,951.00 in the planned phase 2 involving actions on research findings. Additionally, the cooperation will bring scientific capacity development to the key staff of SROS and the development of guidelines of policy around bioethics. Seuseu Tauati, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of SROS acknowledged the importance of the partnership in light of the work to be undertaken by SROS in the coming months: “SROS is grateful to the Joint SGD Fund for supporting this project. As a local research organization, SROS strives to support Samoa's natural capital and ecosystem services to inform and improve policy and management efforts. We are excited and looking forward to implementing this project to save our ecosystems.” Acknowledging challenges to the realization of the ambitions of various global and regional conventions on biodiversity from climate change, erosion of the ecosystems and inadequate attention to culture and traditional knowledge, and currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nisha, Director of the Office and UNESCO Representative to the Pacific States, stated: “UNESCO through its work on biodiversity promotes integration between conservation, learning and sustainable development to offer solutions to challenges we face locally and globally. This partnership is a step towards making sure that natural assets, including traditional knowledge, are valued, protected and used sustainably.” The UNJP on Ecosystem Services is planned as Samoa’s contribution to the two highly relevant UN decades: UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030. Through this partnership, UNESCO and SROS re-confirmed their commitment to long-lasting cooperation for positive and widespread impacts, stemming from technical work under the UNJP on Ecosystem Services. About Joint SDG Fund The Joint SDG Fund is a multi-partner trust fund. This means contributions it receives are not entity specific, but aim to support broader UN system-level functions. In this way, it differs from restrictive earmarked funding which can fuel competition and hamper cooperation among UN entities. This type of pooled funding used by multi-partners trust funds, like the Joint SDG Fund is widely considered ‘multilateralism-friendly’ – and is much more suitable for the integrated support at scale essential for achieving the 2030 Agenda. The current contributors to the Joint SDG Fund are Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, the European Commission, the Kingdom of Netherlands and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. About SROS The Government of Samoa established the Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS) in 2006 to promote research and innovation by scientists for sustainable economic growth. SROS works to support the development of the private sector by establishing through research optimal use of locally available natural resources of Samoa. SROS implements and supports the Government of Samoa’s national development strategy by providing research, training, and analysis needed for sound decision-making. SROS also plays an important role in delivering trusted and efficient services to businesses. SROS attempts to meet scientific research needs across government and maintains strong relationships with local businesses, the science community, and its clients. About UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture and communication and information. In cooperation with 193 Member States and 11 Associate Members, and partners in academia and research organizations, non- and inter-governmental organizations and the private sector, UNESCO has its imprint on the world through norms and standards in education, culture, sciences and communications, the World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, and supports national economies, environment, local culture and resilient communities. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) is the United Nations Commission responsible for supporting global ocean science and services created under the auspices of UNESCO. The UNESCO Office for the Pacific States implements UNESCO’s mandate among sixteen Member States and an Associate Member in the Pacific: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands (Republic of), Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau (Associate), Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. For further details Toleafoa Annie Tuisuga, Manager, Environment and Renewable Energy Division, SROS annie.tuisuga@srosmanagement.org.ws Office for the Director, UNESCO Office for the Pacific States apia@unesco.org

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Press Release

18 January 2022

Samoa launched digital library.

Apia Samoa | The National University of Samoa (NUS), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched the national Samoa Digital Library (SADIL) Project on Monday 17th of January 2022, at the NUS Fale Samoa. The Digital Library is part of the Samoa Knowledge Society Initiative (SKSI), which is collectively funded by the India South-South Cooperation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and UNDP. SKSI is a rights-based initiative that acknowledges the right to access to information by all Samoans, contributing towards an enabling environment for enhanced digital development. The initiative also aims to produce a user-friendly localized knowledge e-platform, providing access to full text, bibliographical and institutional information from Samoa and international sources that are openly licensed. An objective of this initiative is the establishment of a knowledge platform that comprises two repositories (the Lifelong Learning Lab and the Research repository) and a digital library. “The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a heavy reliance on online technology for working and learning. Hence the digital library is timely with its wealth of digital resources – providing online access to information for work, for education and for use in our daily lives. Knowledge is power. Therefore, access to quality information empowers people to make the right choices and the right decisions, hence ensuring an empowered knowledge-based society,” said the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane Tua’au. In addition, the national digital library aims to increase access to bibliographic and institutional information from Samoa in English and Samoan. The development of the multilingual interface of the digital library was carried out by national consultant, Mose Mose. The project is now complete, and the launch ceremony yesterday also served as the official handover of the National Digital Library to the National University of Samoa to administer through its Learning Resource Centre (NUS Library) on behalf of all of Samoa. The Digital Library currently has numerous electronic resources on Samoa mainly from NUS. Both key donors, India and the United Nations reaffirmed their commitment to the development of inclusive knowledge societies in Samoa. “India, as a partner and true friend, would like to extend a helping hand to Samoa towards its socio-economic development. I would be very happy to engage with the Ministry of Education and see how we can work together in the areas of education, e-learning, capacity-building and human resource development,” said India’s High Commissioner to Samoa, Muktesh K. Pardeshi, who joined the launch virtually. “The future of learning, like most facets of our society nowadays, is digital. We need to move with the times. A key part of this digital transformation is digital libraries, as we have seen here today. Digital libraries ensure continuity and availability of information regardless of the circumstances. As the pandemic continues to evolve, presenting multi-faceted challenges, we must also respond accordingly. Digital libraries have emerged as vital pathways to high-quality educational content ensuring all Samoans can access information freely and learn without disruptions, regardless of current limitations,” said the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Simona Marinescu. The Project Team and Management acknowledged the significant contribution of enriching electronic historical and archaeological records on Samoa from the NUS Centre of Samoan Studies. The Digital Library also contains resources from external libraries such as the United Nations Digital Library. The Digital Library in the near future will also contain resources from the Government Ministries and will be linked directly to the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture’s Lifelong Learning Platform. More information about the digital library can be found at: https://samoaksi.ws/ ENDS Media Contacts: NUS: Eric Clem Groves, Manager Planning: e.groves@nus.edu.ws UNDP: Laufaleaina Lesa Communications Analyst: laufaleaina.lesa@undp.org

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