International Day of the White Cane

Reverend Efu Efu,

Afioga Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa,

Chief Executive Officer Afamasaga Faauiga Mulitalo,

President Tofa Mata’afa Fa’atino Masunu Utumapu,

Excellencies Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Distinguished Members of the Association,

Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Talofa lava and Thank You for inviting the United Nations to join you all in marking the International White Cane Day together with the Samoa Blind Persons Association. 

Through our participation today in your event, the United Nations wishes to recognize the important role you play in the society by voicing the need for inclusion, equality and dignity as fundamental values of our humanity.

The United Nations equally appreciates the Government of Samoa’s commitment to the cause of inclusive and rights-based development to enable all people in the society to pursue their aspirations and lead a fulfilling life.

The ratification of key United Nations instruments including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Dec 2016, the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Nov 1994 and the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in Sept 1992 speaks to the importance that leaders in Samoa attach to the adoption of the social values that the United Nations stands for as reflected in our Charter and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

At the time the United Nations celebrates 75 years of existence, the world is greatly challenged by combined risks that threaten our future. Despite remarkable development cooperation efforts and significant investments, the world is still home to over 800 mill people living in extreme poverty. Around 4 billion people lack social protection and face poverty and exclusion. Among those, many are persons living with disabilities, people who need social protection the most.

According to the World Health Organization, over 15% of the global population or 1 billion individuals live with some forms of disabilities, 200 million of whom are unable to secure a living by themselves. The prevalence of disability is also on the rise. Many face extreme forms of abuse and exploitation under the eyes of their communities and societies. We must be more engaged in addressing vulnerabilities and strengthening human resilience if we want to meet the ambition of the 2030 Agenda.

It can be no peace and stability, no shared prosperity until all people enjoy full exercise of rights and freedoms and recognition of their role in their families, communities and countries. 

Through the 2030 Agenda, we have all embarked on a journey to eliminate poverty and inequality and improve the quality of our lives in better harmony with our environment and the planet.

We are far from making the progress we expected. Natural hazards, outbreaks and pandemics deepen our vulnerabilities and the gaps between the goals and the reality we live in get wider by the day.

COVID-19 alone will reverse years of progress in human development, enlarge the cohort of extremely poor and increase poverty around the world, threaten income and food security and push countries in alarming levels of debt. Persons living with disabilities are more vulnerable at the time of such adverse developments.

While Samoa remains virus free, the socio-economic impact of the pandemic will most likely widen. The United Nations will continue to contribute to the socio-economic recovery of the country by working with the communities and the Government in strengthening resilience to such shocks. One of such interventions is the Social Protection Programme that we have recently launched.   

I wish to thank the Samoa Blind Persons Association for joining the Disability Reference Group that is a key partner of the United Nations and the Government of Samoa in developing a social protection system and floor in Samoa, a programme for which we secured US$ 3 mill from the United Nations SDG Fund. Special thanks to Fa’atino for chairing the Disability Reference Group. In the Social Protection System that we build in partnership with the Government, the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development and the civil society, establishing a support system for persons living with disabilities is our key priority.

The Samoa Blind Persons Association is also represented in the Civil Society National Reference Group for the Spotlight Initiative aiming to eliminate domestic violence and intimate partner violence in Samoa. As you know, this programme that brought EUR 3.5 million to Samoa will support civil society organizations with 40% of the funds to improve their capacities for the services provided to victims of abuse, the counseling and the advocacy that they conduct with us in addressing all forms of domestic abuse and violence. 

Through the Knowledge Society Initiative, we commit to providing to all people in the country access to information, knowledge and skills to enable them to find jobs and business opportunities.

There is much more than our agencies – UNDP, UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, UNESCO, FAO, ILO, UNCDF and many others are doing to advance human development in Samoa.

Beyond programmes and policies, there is our hope that we will all continue to uphold respect and appreciation for one another and continue to care for one another and be ready to assist when a fellow Samoan faces vulnerability and need. The Samoa culture is profoundly caring and promoting solidarity as a way for the communities to stand together in the face of adversity and at any time. We wish to acknowledge that difficult circumstances have not affected that sense of unity that the people of Samoa are so committed to.

The measurement of our progress is the improvement we make in the life of the people we work for and most particularly of those who experience a difficult life context.  

We are inspired by your courage and commitment to the good of all members of your association and wish to invite you to hold our partnership strong as we aim to mark a positive change together. We all stand equal under the sun, embracing our diversity and cultures.

God bless you all.

Soifua