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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12 September 2023

The 2023 UN SDGs Summit – What does it mean for ordinary Samoans?

Come next week, Prime Minister of Samoa, the Honorable Fiame Naomi Mataafa will take a stand at the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit in New York, as one of the leaders of the 193 member states of the UN, to proclaim Samoa’s commitments as a nation, towards accelerating the implementation of the SDGs. Taking place on the 18th and the 19th of September at the UN headquarters in New York, this is a crucial convening, considering the setbacks in the implementation of Agenda 2030 (the SDGs). Ahead of the UN SDGs Summit, the Government of Samoa with the UN Country Team in Apia recently held a national consultation on the SDGs. Samoa is the second country in the Pacific region to host such a significant consultation, and this is a vital step in its preparations for the Summit. It is a remarkable demonstration of the government's unwavering dedication to achieve the SDGs, and these SDGs are embodied in the Government of Samoa development aspirations to foster harmony, safety and freedom for all its people. The SDGs resonates with Samoa’s development priorities to foresee the creation of communities that are empowered and resilient and to inspire growth. On the other hand, Samoa’s national development contributes to the SDGs underlying aspirations of a world where people live in peace and enjoy prosperity from a planet that is safe and protected. As we reach the halfway point towards achieving the SDGs by 2030, the UN, in collaboration with member countries, is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of progress and challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted SDGs’ achievements. The recent SDG Progress Report shows that just 12 percent of the SDGs are targets are on track. Progress on 50 per cent is weak and insufficient. Alarmingly, we have stalled or gone into reverse on more than 30 per cent of the SDGs, globally. Assessing Samoa’s implementation progress against the SDGs targets and its aligned national development strategy is therefore of paramount importance to the people of Samoa. At Samoa's national SDGs consultations held on the 5th of September, the government presented its 2020 VNR, which highlighted both progress and challenges. The pandemic disrupted income generation, increased poverty, violence against women and children, food insecurity, and mental health issues. Samoa’s GDP fell by over 9 percent. These insights underscore the need for strategic investments to reignite progress on SDGs. In a context where the needs are abundant and resources are constrained, it is important to consider prioritization of key investments that would have the most positive spillover effects on other areas of need. Based on the UN’s analysis and the discussion at the national consultation, Samoa should consider prioritizing investments in food systems, job creation, social care, biodiversity and climate change. These investments not only address key challenges but also yield positive effects, including reducing violence against women. It is crucial for citizens to understand the implications of these decisions and actively engage in national development planning and SDGs policy discussions. The SDGs Summit provides a platform for governments to showcase their commitments, and it is where we can gauge whether these commitments will reverse the negative trajectory before 2030. The implementation of these commitments will require partnerships with all stakeholders and ordinary citizens also have an important role to play in the realization of the SDGs. Now let’s turn back to what the SDGs are all about. The 17 SDGs embody the aspirations of global leaders for a world marked by peace, equality, and prosperity for all, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, race, age, nationality, sexual orientation, geographical location or any other differences. The SDGs provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. They provide benchmarks for realizing this vision and serve as a basis for dialogue between governments and their partners on development cooperation. Crucially, the SDGs underpin regional development strategies such as the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific continent as well as national development strategies, ensuring that the pursuit of regional and local goals aligns with global priorities. Samoa’s commitment to realizing Agenda 2030 is evident since it is one of the few small islands developing states (SIDS) that have submitted voluntary national reviews (VNRs) on SDGs achievement. By expressing its dedication to present its third VNR in 2024, Samoa aims to be among the few countries worldwide actively participating in this reporting process. But how much does the average Samoan citizen fully understand about the value and significance of the SDGs and the upcoming SDGs Summit? That is crucial. The 2019 survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF), tells us that the global awareness of the SDGs is relatively high, with 74 percent of adults being aware of them. Nonetheless, awareness levels vary significantly from country to country. There is a significant opportunity to raise awareness among Samoans about the importance of the SDGs, what they represent, and their relevance to daily life, and the United Nations is willing to partner and provide this support as relevant and resourceful as needed. Themba Kalua, UN Resident Coordinator - Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau

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06 September 2023

Act now and act together to progress the 17 Goals.

Eight years ago, world leaders of the United Nations’ member states, were bold and adopted a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 goals whilst complex and ambitious, when combined would help us realise a world where no one is left behind. A world where life is fulfilling with just governing systems, where everyone enjoys good health, are well-educated and earns sufficient income. A world where food is abundant and nutritious, the cost of energy is affordable and the environment is safe and protected. In the heart of such a world, are people that are safe and resilient to adapt and thrive, no matter what shakes the core of their existence. But that dream of such a world through the 17 SDG to come true by 2030, is not progressing as expected. Earlier this year, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed his grave concerns on SDGs achievement; “Halfway to the deadline for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we are leaving more than half the world behind.” “The SDG Progress Report shows that just 12 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goal targets are on track. Progress on 50 per cent is weak and insufficient. Worst of all, we have stalled or gone into reverse on more than 30 per cent of the SDGs.” “Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been.” The call to act now and to act together, moved the UN Country Team in Samoa to immediately convene national SDG consultations with the countries they serve including Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau, in response to the UN SG’s concerns on lack of SDGs progress.The UNCT Samoa in collaboration with Samoa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade coordinated the Consultation bringing together the members of Samoa’s SDGs Taskforce and the UN at the Lava Hotel on Tuesday 5th of September, 2023. The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peseta Noumea Simi reiterated in her official remarks at the opening of the Samoa SDG Consultation that accelerating progress of the SDGs requires robust approaches, collective and meaningful engagement of all partners. She added that this consultation is important because it enables genuine dialogue on Samoa’s efforts to localise the SDGs, and their integration and implementation through government’s national development priorities. The UN Resident Coordinator Themba Kalua acknowledged the leadership of the Government of Samoa and their commitment to fast track progress of the 17 SDGs goals, whilst emphasising that the ‘UN is very clear that the focus of SDGs acceleration efforts is entirely up to the Government of Samoa.’ Available indicators shows that the major challenges with SDGs progression for Samoa appears to surround the advancement of gender equality, reducing hunger, protecting life on land, and stimulating decent jobs and growth. Mapping Samoa’s SDGs challenges to the UN’s six areas for SDGs acceleration, and considering the SDGs interlinkages, suggests emphasis on investments in food systems, social protection and jobs, and biodiversity and nature to spur catalytic SDGs progress in Samoa. A UN Policy Brief concluded that it would cost Samoa approximately 16% of its GDP per year to achieve this, if it intended to progress all of its SDGs targets by 2030. Noting that the costs for SDGs achievement seemed unrealistic, a key recommendation following the UN’s discussion with the SDGs Taskforce was for the government to also focus its SDGs acceleration efforts on health and education, particularly given the high rates of NCDs and the shortage of labour on island being exacerbated by seasonal employment schemes. The Taskforce also stressed that the private sector and civil society should not be left behind in these discussions and decisions on the SDGs, given that such discussions are at the foundation of the key messages that Samoa will articulate at the global SDG Summit in later this month. Samoa completed its second Voluntary National Review of the SDGs in 2020 and is preparing for its third, which should be ready for circulation in 2024

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A group photo of SDG consultation participants

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10 April 2023

Pam, driving the vehicle of change for community women movements.

Fuatino Pam Sua or affectionately known as ‘Pam’ first became involved in the business of the Samoa National Council Women (SNCW), simply by being the driver for its founding President, Masiofo Fetauimalemau Mataafa. In 1972, I was sent home after schooling in New Zealand. While in NZ, I taught myself how to drive. Thankfully, it was my driving skills that the late Masiofo Fetauimalemau, called me to drive her around and do the bidding of the old ladies of the SNCW, taking them to meetings and so forth. I enjoyed the driving because I also got to sit in, listen and understand the governance and operations of the Council. Most important was the relationships with the old ladies and the knowledge and wisdom shared amongst them that I even learnt so much from it. Some years later, Pam was assigned the role of managing the SNCW finances. Fast forward to 2012, just before Samoa’s celebration of its independence, Pam was organizing lunch and making transportation arrangements for the SNCW members from Savaii and Upolu. I was about to leave, but the Hon. Fiame Naomi, the daughter of the late Masiofo Fetauimalemau and the President of the SNCW called me over and said, “before you leave, you’ve just been appointed the new secretary”. That day my responsibilities multiplied. I am in charge of managing the organization and trying to live up to the expectations and vision of the Samoan matriarchs that came before us and paved the way for the women’s movement in Samoa for generations that followed. Pam is at the heart of mobilizing and uniting women from the villages around Samoa under the umbrella of the SNCW and she was involved for over fifty years. The SNCW was set up in 1953 and is an umbrella organization for village women’s committees in Samoa. The SNCW is premised on the value of Samoan women’s traditional statuses and social standing, namely ‘Sa’o Ao (daughters of village men and women), faletua ma tausi (wives of paramount chiefs and orators), and āvā a taulele’a (wives of untitled men). This social group plays an integral role in supporting the village’s local governance with its developments and advocacies filtering across to the other influential players of the village, namely, the village council, untitled men and the youth. In 2015, the SNCW embarked on an institutional strengthening programme to redefine its purpose and review the organization’s constitution and to explore whether its purpose and existence was still relevant. At the time, the SNCW was a member of the CRC and CEDAW Partnership Committees coordinated under the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD). One of the key development issues requiring a whole-of country approach, was family violence. The SNCW received funding from the Government of Australia to fund the Samoa Shaping Women’s Development programme through MWCSD to implement a nationwide advocacy campaign on the prevention of violence against women and girls using traditional learning methods through the art of community conversations. Spearheaded with technical assistance from Palanitina Tupuimatagi Toelupe, 41 villages were covered, and we collaborated with the women’s committees, women’s church fellowship, including youth groups to deliver this advocacy with the hope that the women themselves will drive their own destiny and facilitate social change through this movement. This community-centered programme was our steppingstone into reviving our focus on ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG) and linking it to good governance and leadership. Building on from the momentum in 2015, the support from the EU & UN Spotlight Initiative in 2020 has elevated this work with 16 women’s committees from Upolu and Savaii engaging and joining in the movement. The Spotlight’s involvement added weight to the community conversations to strengthen the advocacy of eliminating violence against women and girls. And the Spotlight focus was through leadership programmes to empower the women’s committees to gain confidence as they are the gatekeepers of what is happening within their own communities. Contextualized trainings were offered to women members of the SNCW on EVAWG using the transformational leadership tool to advocate and disseminate the information and learnings to women in their villages to address violence against women and girls including intimate partner violence. Our training content and practical exercises worked on confidence and advocacy building within their own women’s committee settings and when advocating for support from the village council of chiefs. For instance, they were reminded through the programme to remember and understand the order of the Alii ma Faipule – village council of chiefs. There was nothing worse than coming in only just to be chased out. The Spotlight Initiative programme was well received, the lessons learned, and the work of the trained women was effective to create awareness and advocacy for other committees to grow the need and the urge to be part of the SNCW. A testimony from Mrs Vine Sefo Samia, Samatau Council Women, participant in the SNCW leadership trainings – Spotlight gave us the tools to run our own advocacy activities in the village reaching all age groups, especially the young men and women, who have a better understanding than before. We visit families and encourage mothers to not be afraid to speak out and seek help. We encourage open communication and dialogue between the mothers and their daughters on sexual reproductive health and rights of women and girls, and how to prevent sexual and physical violence. We lobbied for leadership and good governance support from our Alii and Faipule and church ministers which led to having in place village policy and laws to address violence against women and girls, we remind the families and fathers about their duty to protect and keep the peace in the village. Conversations are being made, collaborations amongst the traditional structures of the village and women have been made stronger. We do not see nor hear of any new incidents of violence these are the good changes that have come about due to the strong advocacy by the women of the Samatau council. We cannot afford to be complacent, we have to continue the advocacy as we are the Spotlight champions in our village to effect the change in norms, attitudes and behavior to end violence. The leadership training was to advance the work we had already started and become self-reliant to not wait for handouts but to stand up and lead from the home and from the community, to be caregivers and oversee their communities and the issues that pertain to women and girls. This all tied in when in times of crisis especially when the measles epidemic hit Samoa in 2019, the committees mobilized into action in terms of ensuring sanitation and caring support to prevent the spread of measles amongst our most vulnerable groups, our children. The Spotlight Initiative-UNDP partnership with SNCW dovetailed into the community conversation programme and expanded it. The leadership programme under Spotlight allowed the committees of women and girls to flourish and build confidence in themselves to such a degree it enabled them to lobby, speak out and empower the traditional village setting to listen and consider their needs and issues. Women and girls must lead from the front, because they are the ones who understand what is needed and to collaborate with each other, amplify and complement each other’s work. They have the capacity and know how to carry out their work and the leadership programme through the Spotlight Initiative brought about the change in confidence and know-how to be the voice for women, girls, and children. We utilized the Samoan ways and tools we have in place to put a focus on bringing to light the violence against women, girls and children and advocating for a better change. "As you witnessed, our perseverance bore fruit with the President of the SNCW becoming the first woman Prime Minister for this country.” The rest is history. This story has been rewritten from its original form as published in the Spotlight Initiative Magazine 2022 | Stories of Change.

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Press Release

27 April 2023

UNDP Samoa Accelerator Lab wins global Japan SDG Innovation Challenge

Apia, Samoa – In a first for Samoa, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Lab (AccLab) has won one, of only two spots, for the Japan SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Innovation Challenge. Samoa and Zimbabwe are the only AccLabs selected from a pool of 91 UNDP AccLabs across the world. The Challenge will enable the UNDP Samoa AccLab to implement an innovative project to convert fish skin into sustainable fish leather. This project aims to maximize the economic benefits of the entire fish caught, instead of just the flesh whilst discarding other fish parts, thus lending the project its name: “100% Fish Use”. The fish leather will be manufactured through a sustainable process. The eco-friendly fish leather is an exotic leather and will be an addition to the existing Samoan handicrafts/products such as wallets, business card holders and other items, popular as souvenirs. There is also a huge demand for fish leather overseas and this has the potential to increase additional avenues for export. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) AccLab is partnering with Think Sea Corp, a Japanese company, to implement this project through funding from the Japan Cabinet Office (CAO). This Challenge is facilitated by the Japan Innovation Network. The contract between UNDP Samoa and Think Sea Corps was signed in March 2023 and the project is now ready for implementation. “Over 40 to 60% of the caught fish is currently being dumped or underused. Furthermore, there is very little data on the amount of fish waste generated in Samoa. This project, in addition to assigning economic value to fish waste, will also boost the data on fish waste,” said Jorn Sorensen, Resident Representative, UNDP Samoa. The founders of the Think Sea Corp will spend two months in Samoa to experiment with the fish skin type available locally and create samples of leather. They will also train the target communities on the low-cost process of leather production, enabling communities to take up new entrepreneurial opportunities of producing, utilizing, and selling fish leather. "We are thrilled to embark on this project to contribute to the protection of the marine environment and sustainable development with the team at UNDP Samoa. As awareness of the importance of marine conservation continues to grow, we take great pride in being able to support sustainable economic development while making use of ocean resources. Through this project, we hope to make valuable contributions to the local communities by leveraging our respective expertise and skills to pursue meaningful impact,” said Tomohisa Noguchi, Founder, Think Sea Corp. The 100% Fish Use project is a critical milestone for Samoa not only in terms of expanding the blue economy, but also a successful example of connecting technology and innovation from the private sector to local contexts, accelerating progress on the SDGs. -ENDS- For media queries, please contact: Tomohisa Noguchi, Think Sea Corp, totoleather@gmail.com, https://www.tototoleather.com/en Laufaleaina Lesa, UNDP Multi Country Office, Samoa|Tel. +685 23670|E: laufaleaina.lesa@undp.org www.ws.undp.org @UNDP in Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau & Niue @undpsamoa

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08 December 2023

Value based education underscore human dignity and compassion.

In an event to commemorate the Human Rights Day 2023 in Samoa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture Aeau Christopher Peter Hazelman delivered an enlightening speech on the right to education from a Samoan perspective. “Intellectual based education, influences the head.” “Value based education influences the heart.” Education that builds fundamental traits of character such as honesty, responsibility, taking initiative and not needing to be told, courage, persistence, is absolutely essential. In his own view, Aeau believes, Samoa does not need more academic education, but needs more value-based education. “There is no good in intellectual education without understanding human dignity and compassion,” Aeau added. In the customary order for ceremonies, this event began with a prayer and a spiritual message in relation to Human Rights led by Rev. Elder Utufua Naseri. The Acting Ombudsman Maualaivao Pepe Seiuli, then took the podium to acknowledged the presence and welcomed the distinguished guests, and elaborated on the mandatory functions of the National Human Right Institute and spoke specifically on the work of the Institute to facilitate commitment to promote right to education. The UN Resident Coordinator Themba Kalua as one of the key speakers at the event also spoke of the relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed 75 years, in a time when the world is witnessing conflicts with women and children bearing the brunt of the violence and suffering; climate change that is threatening all of humanity, but especially Pacific Islanders like Samoans; and political divisions among governments which hinder effective international responses to these crises. “This underscores the continued relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proving that its principles are as crucial today as they were 75 years ago.” “It is a sobering reminder that we cannot take our human rights for granted, and that these crises result from human rights not being respected, implemented, or prioritized. We need a renewed commitment by all States to act in line with international law and the agreements which they themselves have crafted, and to jointly work to advance the common good.” The event organized by the Office of the Ombudsman -National Human Rights Institution in Samoa with the support of the Resident Coordinator Office was an approach to revitalize awareness of human rights with a focus on the right to education. The event also facilitated a panel discussion of members of National Human Rights Institute (NHRI) Staff and Advisory Council and UN agencies with programmes to promote and safeguard the right to education for all children and learners of all ages. The event concluded with a special presentation of prizes for winners of the Poetry and Tik Tok competition to explain what the right to education means to them.

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20 November 2023

CRC leads meeting to discuss the rights of children.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community, UNICEF and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights are hosting a 3 days workshop in Samoa as part of the Committee on the Rights of the Child 10 days follow up visit to the Pacific. Before convening in Samoa this week, the delegation of three members of the Committee visited the Federated States of Micronesia, Cook Islands and Tuvalu which were the three countries that were under review in the 84th Extraordinary Outreach Session in 2020. The CRC is leading the “The Regional Experience Sharing Workshop on Implementation of Recommendations” which brings together Pacific Island Country governments and all relevant partners to discuss children’s rights issues, including protection from violence and exploitation, protection in the administration of justice system, and protection and promotion of children’s rights in the context of environment and climate change. The CRC Committee will listen to opportunities to improve children’s rights and good practice stories from the Pacific, as well as challenges and difficulties faced by governments, civil society, and children. At the High level opening ceremony today, it included the Pacific Launch of the Committee’s general comment no. 26 on Children's Rights and the Environment with a Special Focus on Climate Change on the occasion of World Children’s Day (20th November). At the event, there was a huge participation of children from various schools in Samoa and had the opportunity to meet with the CRC members and to to discuss children’s rights. The Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale in her Keynote address reiterated on the Governments commitment to the protection of the rights of every child given, that Samoa ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1994. However, there are existing gaps and needs that the Government is committed to support. The UN Resident Coordinator Themba Kalua congratulated the organisers of the event, SPC, UNICEF and OHCHR and he specifically acknowledged the presence of the children at this event, as this event was about them and that we must ensure that the rights of the child is at the centre of everything we do.

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26 October 2023

Remembering why the United Nations was established.

The UN Day 2023 event in Samoa started with a prayer for peace and security for everyone in the world by Pastor Vui Sebastien Mariner The UN Country Team in Samoa celebrated the UN Day on Tuesday 24th October with the presence of the Honourable Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, members of the Diplomatic Corp, UN partners and stakeholders, Miss Samoa, and the UN family. The UN Resident Coordinator, Themba Kalua recalled that the United Nations was established to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war; to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and the inherent dignity and worth of every person, and in equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small; establish conditions for justice; and to promote social progress and better standards of life. “Today, we live in a divided world and are witnessing unprecedented complex conflicts. This should not be a cause for despair, but a reminder of why the United Nations was established”, UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Themba Kalua during his remarks. He recalled the progress that has been made globally since the establishment of the United Nations, such as lifting more than a billion people out of extreme poverty; more girls attending schools than ever before; reduction of maternal and infant mortality by more than half; and growing grassroots action to tackle the climate crisis. Here in the Pacific, he reiterated the commitment by the UN to support the governments of Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau to address issues such as climate change, non-communicable diseases, gender quality and gender-based violence, and ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Recognizing the complexity of these challenges, the Resident Coordinator the need for collective and coordinated action with development partners, regional organizations, civil society, businesses, academia and other stakeholders. He reiterated the commitment by the UN to support the governments of Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau to address issues such as climate change, non-communicable diseases, gender quality and gender-based violence, and ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Hon. Prime Minister of Samoa noted that “we have come a long way since we joined the United Nations in 1976, and despite being a small island developing country, Samoa continues its call for global solidarity and unity to address the pressing global challenges that we currently face”. She highlighted the progress that has been made in Samoa to ensure people-centered development, promote gender equality and combat violence against women, and stressed the importance of promoting and protecting human rights for all, as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On behalf of the Diplomatic Corp in Samoa, H.E. Mr. Trevor Matheson paid tribute to the UN staff who are on the frontlines of conflict and have lost their lives while serving the mandate of the organization, and stressed the importance of the UN in fostering peace and progress. It was also an occasion to showcase the work of the UN agencies serving the people of the unique ‘blue and green’ islands of Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau. UN agencies, together with their partners, set up booths in an exhibition to showcase their work and to tell the stories of their achievements. Miss Samoa, Moemoana Safaatoa Schwenke, an advocate for climate change, women’s empowerment and cultural heritage, stated that “now is the time for inclusivity. Our young people deserve to be in the discussions that concern them because it is, fundamentally, their future at stake. When we collaborate with them harmoniously, we promote peace. The empowerment of our young people paves the way for prosperity for all.” The UN Day concluded with cultural performances by Tamaitai Anofale, a group of young women leaders using Samoan dance and storytelling to demonstrate their leadership, self-esteem and confidence, and to promote women empowerment.

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Prime Minister Speech at the celebration of the UN Day 2023

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28 September 2023

SIDS, face greater gaps to achieving the SDG than the rest of the world.

Addressing structural vulnerability and financing the SDG's in the Small Islands Developing States including islands nations of the Pacific region has been given profound attention of the United Nations. The Sustainable Development Report for SIDS 2023 is the culmination of research work, analysis and policy brief that started jointly by the United Nations Resident Coordinator system in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) three years ago, for the United Nations to generate knowledge products that could assist SIDS at the time they transition from the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway to a new 10-year plan for resilient prosperity. In the production of this multi-pillar analysis, under the leadership of Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs and with the direct engagement of Vice-President and Head of Paris Office Guillaume Lafortune, Dr. Isabella Massa, Grayson Fuller and Dr. Bermont Díaz, SDSN has led the technical work jointly with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, Dr. Simona Marinescu, and the other United Nations Resident Coordinators and their offices. Other major contributors to the data and analyses in this report include Samory Touré and Juliette Douillet. Through various meetings and events jointly held with the governments of SIDS and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), valuable contributions have been collected and factored into the analysis to ensure the robustness and technical soundness of the recommendations provided by the authors. A brief overview of the Report: https://www.sdgindex.org/reports/sustainable-development-report-for-small-island-developing-states-2023/ Download the Report.

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Press Release

05 May 2023

IOM Samoa Launches Project to Strengthen Border Control and Response to Infectious Diseases in Pacific Island Countries

Apia – Pacific socio-economic recovery from COVID-19 will be strengthened through safe resumption of border management operations and enhanced seamless border management infrastructure technology, equipment, and improved capacity. As such, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched a project to improve border control capacity and response to infectious diseases in Pacific Island Countries. The Government of Japan has provided over USD 6.9 million to fund the project, which will see IOM working closely with the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) and the Governments of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Peseta Noumea Simi, Chief Executive Officer, Samoa Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said “we are a partner, a country, not just a recipient” at the event launch. At the launch event, Ambassador of Japan to Samoa, Keisuke Senta, said “as the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) is located in Samoa, we are confident that Samoa will be a hub for this project. We firmly believe that the project will create opportunities for cooperation and exchange among border control authorities as well as to build a stronger sense of regional solidarity and resilience.” The project also marks the opening of the IOM Country Office in Samoa. IOM is pleased to open the Samoa Country office to better support the Government of Samoa as well as Pacific regional bodies based in Samoa. Across the Pacific region, IOM supports the countries to contribute towards enhanced resilience, governance, and sustainable development in the context of human mobility in the Blue Pacific. "IOM is committed to supporting Pacific Island Countries in strengthening their capacity to respond to infectious diseases and promote safe and orderly migration in the region. We sincerely thank the Government of Japan for providing the funding for this project and for their ongoing support to Pacific Island Countries.,” said Jacqueline Weekers, IOM Chief of Mission in Australia and coordinator to New Zealand and the Pacific. On behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the UNDP Resident Representative, Jorn Sorensen, said “a positive probability of another pandemic dictates the need for a more proactive Pacific approach, not only to ensure mitigation of any future diseases, but also to dampen the potential negative economic fallout on the region”. Notably, the project also aligns with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Continent, which will contribute towards building a resilient Pacific Region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, that ensures all Pacific peoples can lead free, healthy and productive lives. See also the IOM Pacific Strategy 2022 - 2026 and this video for more information. For more information, please contact Imogen Nicholls at IOM Australia Country Office with Coordinating Functions for the Pacific at inicholls@iom.int

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Press Release

01 May 2023

Effective partnerships strengthen Births Registration, and Civil Registration & Vital Statistics system in Samoa

Apia, Samoa – This is reflected in the launch this week of a new report – Strengthening the Birth Registration System in Samoa – which highlights birth registration as a fundamental right, a critical first step for the protection and development of children, yet it remains a challenge for Samoa. The Report is the result of effective partnerships between SBS, through its Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Division, UNDP through its Accelerator Lab (AccLab), and relevant stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, and actors involved in the birth registration process at the community level. “The Samoa Bureau of Statistics recognizes and acknowledges the need to strengthen the birth registration system in the country. As such, birth registration is part of a wider civil registration system that includes the free and universal recording of the occurrence and characteristics of key events – births, deaths, adoptions, marriages, and divorces – and other civil status events pertaining to the population,” said Leota Laki Lamositele Sio, Minister of Statistics. “In Samoa, every person has a right to a name that connects to the land and matai titles – their fa’asinomaga. The registration of birth protects and instills that right and identity, which enables entitlement to health, education, sports, employment opportunities and many other social and economic benefits. A child’s birth certificate is the primary identity to all social and economic entitlements.” The Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, identifies gaps and opportunities, and proposes innovative and concrete recommendations like using collective intelligence, and leveraging technology and a whole-of-government collaboration across sectors to improve birth registration in Samoa. “Birth registration and related information are key in ensuring effective development planning which benefits all, especially in a country like Samoa, which remains increasingly vulnerable to disasters. We hope this Report will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates working towards ensuring that every child in Samoa is registered and has access to their fundamental rights,” said Jorn Sorensen, UNDP Resident Representative. Based on the success of the initial partnership, SBS and UNDP are continuing to the second phase of this initiative, partnering with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), supported by the Government of New Zealand, to boost the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system in Samoa. “The right to identity is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Samoa ratified in 1994. However, recent estimates by UNDP and UNICEF put the current birth registration rate in Samoa between 60 to 66%, yet more than 99% of children are delivered by a skilled birth attendant, which is quite alarming. We believe that through our revitalized and concerted effort, we can do better,” said Dr. Annefrida Kisesa-Mkusa, UNICEF Chief, Pacific Samoa Field Office. Through participatory design approaches, the team will test and create a prototype of inclusive technologies in CRVS that have the potential to enhance public service delivery. They will also jointly work to revitalize a gender-responsive CRVS committee, co-facilitate policy dialogues and advocacy for open-source tools and open data to build responsive institutions, efficient public services and ensure citizen participation for inclusive development.

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Press Release

29 March 2023

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations supports Samoa to better plan, predict and respond to food system crisis.

As part of FAO’s and World Food Programme (WFP) joint project “5F Crisis” that monitors the rising cost of food, fuel, fertilizer, animal feed and certain finance statistics which aims to support participating governments in increasing their technical capacity to analyse, predict, plan and respond to the impacts of the global crisis of food, energy and finance on their national food systems.
FAO has developed the 5F Light Early Warning System (LEWS), which aids in this effort based on economic statistics such as the Consumer Price Index and key lead indicators such as the cost of fuel and animal feed and their impacts on food costs. The system helps countries better predict economic shocks, thus enabling more informed policy-making by governments in the region. FAO has trained representatives from the MAF Policy Division on the adoption of LEWS and handed over the matrix of indicators to ensure continuous monitoring of the 5Fs.
In addition, FAO also provided short-term physical assistance to MAF including laptops and tablets for monitoring the ongoing 5F crisis among MAF divisions, barbwire fencing for non-commercial cattle farmers, and vegetable seeds and local planting material for rural food security. These items will be distributed by MAF to communities at a later date.
FAO has provided similar training and physical support to the other nine participating countries in the region; Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. FAO will continue capacity-building efforts with national governments around the region as they take over key 5F monitoring infrastructure that FAO has created.
“One of the strongest influences on the cost of food is the cost of fuel. Through this LEWS training, governments around the region now have a better understanding of how, and how soon, global fuel prices affect local petrol prices, and how and when petrol prices affect the cost of food. Similar forecasts can be made with other indicators such as the cost of fertilizer and animal feed as well as trends in remittances. Taken as a whole, LEWS is an effective tool for more informed policy-making by national governments”, said FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Ms. Xiangjun Yao.

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Press Release

15 March 2023

WOMEN IN FISHERIES FORUM TAKES PLACE IN FIJI: WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BLUE ECONOMY HIGHLIGHTED

The Forum gathered more than 80 participants from relevant government agencies; civil society organizations, non-government and faith-based organizations; regional organizations, fisherwomen associations, academic institutions and other entities that play a relevant role in the discourse of gender and fisheries in Fiji. The event featured discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities aimed at identifying the needs and concerns of fisherwomen and advocating for their rights and continued empowerment. While opening the Forum, Mrs Atelaite Rokosuka, Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry of Fiji, noted: “It is indeed timely that we convene and meet over the next two days. Such forums are crucial meetings to have because they give us all a chance to connect, stay informed, and talk about ways we can collaborate and support one another in the vital roles we each play in our communities and organizations.” The Forum seeks to enhance the current conversation by creating a continuous platform for exchange, learning, and sharing. Its primary goal is to provide fisherwomen and women fish workers with a voice to express their concerns and needs to policy makers and development partners. Moreover, the Forum aims to facilitate fisheries practitioners and researchers in learning from the target audience, which can help increase awareness and knowledge of gender issues in the fisheries domain. This, in turn, can advance gender debates in the fisheries sector and allow governments to fulfil their overarching commitment to promote gender equity and equality throughout the entire government. Lastly, the Forum seeks to strengthen collaborations among agencies operating in the fisheries and gender space, with a focus on increasing partnerships, interdisciplinary work, and an improved understanding of gender issues in the fisheries sector from different perspectives. Anne-Maree Schwarz, FAO SAP Gender Specialist stressed the importance of the Forum in promoting women's empowerment and gender equality in the fisheries sector: "Women play a crucial role in the blue economy and their contributions should be recognized, valued, and supported. The National Women in Fisheries Forum provides a platform to discuss the challenges that women fisherfolks face and to find solutions that promote their rights and well-being." The Forum discussed four main themes. The first theme "Joining Men at the Blue Economy Table – Let's Boost Equity for a Sustainable Future" highlighted the need to address gender disparities in the fisheries sector and to ensure women's fuller participation in the blue economy. The second theme "Valuing Fisher Women's Indigenous Knowledge and Resource Management Practices for Community and National Well-being" emphasized the need to recognize and promote the unique knowledge and practices of fisherwomen in managing and conserving marine resources. The third theme "Challenging Governance Structures – Let's Hear It from the Women Fishers and Fish Workers" focused on the importance of gender-responsive governance in fisheries and the need to involve fisherwomen and women fish workers in decision-making processes. The fourth theme "Pandemics, Disasters, and Shocks: Women Leading the Way with Resilience and Innovation" showcased women's resilience and innovation in coping with crises such as pandemics and natural disasters, and associated economic shocks. Unrecognized potential People across the Pacific Islands region rely heavily on various fisheries to provide nutrition, employment, and economic growth. Coastal fisheries contribute approximately 50 percent of the total fisheries contribution in the Pacific Islands region. With human populations increasing, achieving proper management and governance of coastal fisheries becomes critical, particularly with the impacts of decreasing production of fish due to climate change, natural disasters and economic incentives. Women and men are actively involved in subsistence and income-generating activities along the coastal fisheries value chain. Women traditionally confined their fishing activities to coastal areas, primarily harvesting (e.g., reef gleaning), seafood processing, and food preparation for home consumption. However, women are now increasingly participating in economic opportunities such as marketing or small businesses that involve the harvesting capture and sale of marine resources. Unfortunately, the role of women in fisheries is often unrecognized, undocumented, or poorly understood, leading to their overall poor engagement in fishing activities and decision-making processes in coastal fisheries management. "Empowering women in fisheries is not only a matter of gender equality but also a smart investment in sustainable development and food security for the whole community." – noted Mrs Xiangjun Yao, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands. Building on previous discussions The Forum’s discussion program was built on the outcomes of the second national Women in Fisheries Forum which was held in December 2018 under the theme “Rethinking Women in Fisheries Network –Fiji.” Among the challenges identified in 2018, were the lack of disaggregated data and absent data collection systems, poor collaboration between key agencies and the ever-existing lack of recognition of the vast contributions of Fijian women fishers, post-harvesters and market sellers for food, livelihoods and wellbeing. FAO’s contribution FAO’s participation was organized under the Strengthening Small Scale Fisheries in the Pacific (Canadapt 003) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by FAO, which aims to improve the resilience of coastal communities in Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The project, aligned with regional commitments and FAO's strategic objectives, focuses on improving the management and governance of coastal fisheries, with a specific emphasis on gender equity. Canadapt 003 activities are designed in partnership with national fisheries agencies in each country and fall under three project outcomes, with intermediate gender outcomes identified in the project's gender strategy. The project involves partnerships with various organizations and stakeholders to align activities with related small-scale fisheries projects and enhance gender-sensitive approaches. Contacts Maryia Kukharava International Communications Specialist FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific maryia.kukharava@fao.org

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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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