The Government of Samoa and the United Nations Development Programme today officially signed an agreement on a new renewable energy project with Global Environment Fund. The signing brings the project another step closer to launch and Samoa’s climate and energy security goals.  Known as ‘IMPRESS’ (“Improving...

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise 17 Goals that cover a range of development targets, including reducing poverty, promoting health and education, and combatting climate change. The UNDP Multi-Country Office in Samoa commenced work in November 2016 on an initiative aimed at localising the SDGs and...

The youth unemployment rate in Samoa stands high today at 16.4%.  Helping youth overcome the barriers they face to secure a job, earn a decent income and make sure that they fulfil their potential is a priority for the people and Government of Samoa.   That is the reason why, back in June 2015, the Government...

Savai’I Koko owners, Saleimoa (Sale) and Rosie Va’ai harvest cocoa beans from their family plantation and collect cocoa produced by neighbouring smallholding farmers from the western Savai’i area and beyond. The beans then go through the fermenting and drying stages at the Savai’i Koko farm, before being stored,...

This week in Apia, Samoa, government officials from across the Pacific joined global experts from the private sector in a regional dialogue to discuss the role of climate risk financing in the region’s resilience to climate change. The forum culminated in an agreement to submit the idea of establishing mechanisms for...

Two environmentally based Projects under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment joined forces last week to provide a combined training for 20 villages in Savaii, on Sustainable Land and Integrated water management and Climate Resilient Sustainable Agricultural Practices. The Project for ‘Strengthening...

Pacific islands are often in the headlines with stories about how climate change is already impacting communities, societies and economies. From devastating cyclones, storm surges, and irregular rainfall patterns, to sea-level rise and increasing soil salinity, the Pacific is highly vulnerable, despite contributing very...

Representatives of the Samoa One-United Nations Youth Employment Programme (One-UN YEP) and the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWSCD) of the Government of Samoa paid a visit to the island of Savai’I on 2 May 2017  to meet some of the beneficiaries of the YEP and to monitor progress of...

Around fifty participants from Savaii representing community-based women’s committees, men’s committees, village councils, youth, civil society and non-governmental organisations gathered on Wednesday, 3 May at the Savaiian Hotel to attended the Operational Phase 6 of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small...

The opening of the first of two capacity building workshops planned for Upolu and Savai’i respectively for the Operational Phase 6 of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) was held this morning at the TATTE Convention Centre. In his keynote address to the Workshop, Prime Minister...

A technical cooperation project aimed at strengthening the capacity of Samoa youth for employment in the agriculture sector has been launched in Samoa.  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries as well as the Ministry of Women, Community and...

Abe Faletagoai was following his father’s footsteps as a carpenter when he realised that he wanted to try his hand at something different. As he had always enjoyed cooking for his family, he jumped at the opportunity to further improve his cooking skills when he saw a TV advertisement inviting youths to apply...

Mr. Iese Palauni Matai’a, recently graduated from a three months training - the Organic Warriors Academy - where he learned about composting, field planting, common pests and value-adding processing. With his new skills in organic farming, Mr. Matai´a now plans to focus on planting herbs and spices to supply hotels...

A high level Dialogue on Science and Science Policy for the SDGs in the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) organised by UNESCO took place on 29 and 30 March 2017 in Apia, Samoa. The two-day forum provided an opportunity for Ministers, policymakers and researchers from Pacific Island Countries and regional...