Capacity Development and Consultation Workshop on a Samoa National Data Governance Framework, 8 May 2024

•Thank you Pastor for opening this workshop with a word of prayer
•Honourable Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, Minister for Communications and Information Technology
•Ms. Noriko Horiuchi, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Samoa
•Excellences, members of the diplomatic corp
•Ms. Atsuko Okuda, ITU regional director
•UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and all my UN colleagues
•All the partners and stakeholders present
•Ladies and Gentlemen

Talofa lava. Taeao manuia.
It's truly an honor to join the Minister in extending a warm welcome to this Capacity Development and Consultation Workshop on a National Data Governance Framework, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of the Government of Samoa.
On behalf of the United Nations, I want to express my sincere appreciation to all of you for graciously dedicating your time to be part of this important talanoa.
I am happy this workshop coincides with the visit of my colleague, the ITU Regional Director and we have been discussing how together as a UN system we can enhance our support to the government of Samoa on digital transformation.
In small island developing states like Samoa, digital transformation holds great potential. These states often face unique challenges due to their geographic isolation, limited resources, and vulnerability to external shocks such as climate change. Therefore, leveraging digital technologies becomes not just a matter of convenience but a critical lifeline for sustainable development and resilience-building.

In this regard, I commend the government of Samoa for its steadfast commitment to prioritizing digital transformation.
As we navigate these shifts, it's paramount to prioritize security and responsibility. Establishing effective and efficient data governance stands as a crucial next step.
Data governance can impact public service delivery and can support to accelerate progress on national development priorities, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leave no one behind. This is especially important at this critical moment when only 12 per cent of the SDGs are on track.
Across all sectors of government, operational activities are increasingly driven by data, underscoring the pivotal role of high-quality data and robust analytical capacity in fostering evidence-based decision-making.
However, amidst this digital evolution, we must also confront various risks and challenges. Digital divides, data security concerns, privacy, low levels of digital and data literacy, and ethical dilemmas pose significant obstacles. As the volume of data grows exponentially, the imperative for strategic data management and governance becomes ever more pressing.
This is why the UN Secretary-General is proposing a global digital compact which outlines shared principles for “an open, free, and secure digital future for all” which will be adopted at the Summit of the Future in September this year.
Developing a comprehensive national data governance framework requires a whole-of-government approach, cutting across the mandates of many different ministries. I am pleased to see such diverse participation from across government ministries reflecting a commitment to this collective endeavor.
Today marks the initial step toward establishing an effective national data governance framework. This means both embracing a long-term vision – that is aligned to broader Government strategies such as the Pathway for the development of Samoa and the regional 2050 strategy for the blue pacific continent - but it also means identifying practical low hanging fruits and quick wins that we can take forward immediately.
Digital transformation is a priority in the UN’s cooperation framework and in the country implementation plan for Samoa. In closing, I want to reiterate the UN’s commitment to supporting the planning and implementation of an effective national data governance framework in Samoa by bringing together technical expertise from across the UN system.
I wish you fruitful deliberations. 

Fa’afetai tele lava