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BARBADOS PROGRAMME OF ACTION

NATIONAL ASSESSMENT REPORT

Table of Contents:

Foreword:

Executive Summary:

Chapter 1:

Socioeconomic context

Chapter 2:

Framework for Sustainable Development

Chapter 3;

National progress made and problems encountered in
the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action

Sectoral areas:

Climate change and Sea level rise

Natural and environmental disasters

Management of wastes and provision of water and sanitation services

Coastal and marine resources
Freshwater resources
Land resources
Energy
Tourism

Biodiversity resources

Transport and communications
Institution and capacity building
Regional institutions and cooperation

Science and technology

Human resource development

Implementation monitoring and review

Problems encountered

Future development

Chapter 4:

Trade Investment capacity building and cooperation on the status of SIDS
vulnerability

Chapter 5:

Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development in SIDS

Chapter 6:

Emerging concerns and special needs

List of acronyms used:

CBD:

Convention on Biological Diversity

CIMS:

Coastal Infrastructure Management Strategy

CMS:

Convention on Migratory species

COP:

Conference of the Parties

CRDAMPIC

Convention on the development of Adaptation Measures for
Pacific Island countries

DEC :

Division of Environment and Conservation

EIA:

Environment Impact Assessment

EPC:

Electric Power Corporation

FAO:

Food & Agriculture Organisation

GEF:

Global Environment Facility

GHG

Greenhouse Gases

GOS:

Government of Samoa

IAMP:

Infrastructure Asset Management Project

IUCN:

International Union for the Conservation of Nature

LDC

Lea st Developed Country

MAFFM:

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry & Meteorology

MEA

Multilateral Environmental Agreement

MNRE

Ministry Natural Resources & Environment

MWIT:

Ministry Works Infrastructure and Transport

NBC:

National Beautifica tion Committee

NBSAP:

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

NDEMP

National Disaster Environment Management Plan

NEMS:

National Environment Management and Development

Strategies
NGO:

Non-Government Organizations

NLP:

National Landuse Policy

NOU

National Ozone Unit

NWMP:

National Waste Management Policy

NWRP:

National Water Resource Policy

ODS:

O zone Depleting Substances

PACER

Pacific Agreement on Closer economic relations

PEAR:

Preliminary Environment Assessment Report

PICCAP:

Pacific Islands Climate Change Programme

PICTA

Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement

PIREP

Pacific |Islands regional energy programme

POPs:

Persistent Organic Pollutants

PSC:

Public Service Commission

PUMA

Planning Urban Management Agency

RMP

Refrigerant Management Plan

SDS:

Strategy for rthe Development of Samoa

SARS

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

SIDS:

Small Island Developing States

SOE:

State of Environment Report

SPREP:

South Pacific Regional Environment Programme

SPRIG:

South Pacific Regional In itiative on Forest Genetic Resources

STEC:

Samoa Trust Estates Corporation

SWA:

Samoa Water Authority

UNFCCC:

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNCED:

United Nation Convention for Environment Development

USEPA

United States Environment Protection Agency

Foreword:

The Barbados Conference in 1994 was a historic event for SIDS countries in that it provided

a forum to voice concerns about their special development needs; the outcome of which was the

14 point Plan of Action tailored to meet the singular nature of the challenges faced. These

include difficulties in achieving economies of scale, management and development of resources in

marine areas many times larger than the national land base as well as other universal issues

such as poverty reduction, human resource development and meeting the challenges of

globalisation and taking advantage of any opportunities it may offer.

Many of the urgent issues faced today are related to the oceans that surround us such as climate

change, sea level rise, waste management at home and the impact of sea borne wastes generated

elsewhere. As maritime nations, we also have a part to play in addressing the current

environmental issues of our time such as global warming and the preservation of biodiversity.

With all of this, we find ourselves in the midst of a bewildering array of negotiated trade

agreements, international conventions and newly formulated market instruments. It is a struggle

to determine the sets of actions, implementation strategies and reporting requirements needed to

keep in step with the changing global environment. In the process of these challenges we also face

increasing levels of international crime that have managed to reach our shores some of which

have come with the snare of technological advancement. This is the context within which

sustainable development is being pursued.

In our efforts to implement the Barbados Programme of Action, we have affirmed the

importance of partnerships in trying to achieve sustainable developmen t at the national, regional

and international levels. Through partnership we can achieve sustained results and ensure a

healthy environment and a vibrant economy for future generations.

Executive Summary:

The Barbados Plan of Action provides a framework for specific actions and measures to be
taken at the national, regional and international levels in support of the sustainable
development of small island developing states. Many of the issues faced today are related to
the surrounding oceans such as climate change and sea level rise, global warming and the
preservation of biodiversity.

In the process of meeting these challenges, small island countries are also having to deal with

the changing global environment and the impacts of globalization which have made
compliance and the determination of appropriate responsive strategies difficult.

The Samoan economy continues to change and develop in a significant way with the
implementation of economic and public sector reforms. Economic performance has improved
consistently reaching robust growth rates in the past two years. These have been well
supported by having a sound and stable political situation, government commitment to
reforms and good governance standards.

Despite steady economic gro wth, issues of inequality and hardship are emerging in Samoan
society. This is evident among those unemployed in both the rural and urban areas not having
access to basic services and opportunities or being unable to realize their potential and
aspirations.

While much progress has been achieved in the delivery of services in the health and education
sectors as well as extensive infrastructural development, the quality of such services remains

questionable. Government should focus its attention over the next decade in addressing the
improvement of the quality of service delivery.

In the social area, communities need to be supported in small scale projects to improve access
to basic services, transportation and the management of natural resources.
It is within this socio-economic context that Samoa has been able to implement and achieve
many of the goals and objectives of the Barbados Plan of Action.

In the sectoral areas, progress is noted as follows:

♦

Climate change – ratification by the government of key international instruments, data
and information collation on climate variability resulting in the development of
adaptation measures through established institutional mechanisms and intensive public
awareness programmes. As a result of active participation in regional and international
efforts to assess and monitor climatic impacts, Samoa is used as a case study in all of
the 4 regional projects on climate change

♦

Natural and environmental disasters – Samoa has managed to strengthen its disaster
preparedness and management institutions, policy and planning framework and
cultural and traditional systems that improve community resilience. An integrated
approach has been taken in the implementation of major projects to enhance
resilience.

♦

Coastal and marine reso urces- marine and terrestrial reserves have been established
with the full participation of the communities that they serve, the policy framework is
in place and Samoa has ratified a number of key international instruments such as the
Convention of the Law of the Sea

♦

Freshwater resources – All efforts have focused on the issues of limited natural water

resources and ways to control wastage and unaccounted for water through a policy
framework, redefining roles and restructuring of management agencies, as well as the
development of projects to rehabilitate and protect degraded watershed areas.

♦

Land resources – development has been mainly in the development and improvement
of national databases and information dissemination to stakeholders for landuse
planning and management

♦

Energy resources- an energy policy including renewable energy has been developed
and an institutional mechanism is in place

♦

Tourism resources – adoption of integrated planning and policies to ensure
sustainable development with all landuse and coastal zone management activities
requiring environmental impact assessments

♦

Biodiversity resources – through partnerships, emphasis has been on the ratification of
the necessary instruments which have provided opportunities for technical and
financial assistance to implement projects for the conservation of biodiversity

♦

Transport and communications – major projects have been completed to improve
transport and road networks and public access to communication including the use of
the internet

♦

National institutions and administrative capacity – the recent realignment of ministries
has seen the restructuring of the MNRE and assuming added responsibilities for
disaster and watershed management

♦

Science and technology – there has been limited progress in integrating science and
technology into sustainable development

♦

Human resource development – MNRE has been mandated with the protection of the
environment and natural resources and has had additional staff commensurate with its
restructuring.

♦

Implementation and monitoring – mechanisms have been established through
institutional strengthening and restructuring within the public sector that promotes
partnerships with the private sector and community stakeholders

Some of the problems encountered in the implementation of the BPoA include: inadequate
financial and lack of appropriately skilled human resources, lack of scientific support from the
educational and research institutes, poor facilities, equipment and tools and rudimentary
technology transfer.

Trade related concerns include lack of competitiveness of products due to supply side
constraints common to all island states, non tariff barriers in the form of quarantine and
conformance, and lack of awareness of market requirements.

Investment concerns include the inflexible land tenure system which adds to the difficulty in
accessing funds by local investors, erosion of trade preferences leading to possible relocation
of some of the investments.

Samoa is a member of PICTA aimed at creating a common market for 14 island countries and
is party to PACER and the Cotonou Agreement, both instruments having the potential to
provide opportunities for market access, technical assistance and capacity building. It is in the

process of acceding to the WTO and has found the constraints to be limited financial
technical and administrative resources.

The Millennium Development Goals represent a framework for achieving human
development and broadening its benefits through the implementation of 8 goals, 15 targets

and 45 indicators. Overall, Samoa is in a strong position to achieve all of the goals by the year
2015. The main challenge faced is the limited ability to use surveys and datasets and census
results to measure the indicators.

As a way forward, there is a need to address emerging concerns in all of the sectoral areas
through a national plan of action. Overall, the implementation of the national plan of action
requires adequate and quality information, capacity building programmes and sufficient
funding. Appropriate partnership arrangements are recommended to meet these special needs

including those with the communities themselves.

To achieve sustainable outcomes, it is important to develop appropriate indicators to assess
progress in the next decade, establish monitoring and evaluation programmes under each
sectoral area, ensure stakeholder accessibility to information and knowledge networks, build
community capacity to management resources and provide financial support as well as
improve networks for mobilizing resources among the sectoral areas.

1.0

SOCIO -ECONOMIC CONTEXT

The Samoan economy has changed and developed significantly in recent years as economic
and public sector reforms have been implemented. Following the external shocks of the early
90s, the government decided to put in place a program of reforms to restructure the economy
to be able to respond to internal and external shocks. In that process the economy was
transformed from an inward looking, top-down, protective environment into one which is
now muc h more participatory, open, transparent and investment friendly.

1.1

Reform program

The Public Sector Reform Program of Government was initiated with the introduction of a
broad based tax, the VAGST in 1994 of 10%; followed by the preparation in 1995 of the new
output based/performance budgeting system which was launched in 1996; and tariff and tax
reform as well as liberalization of the financial sector in January 1998.

Another key aspect of the reform, was the commitment towards a more strategic planning

approach. In 1995, the Government moved away from the long term comprehensive planning
in favour of a more strategic planning focus resulting in the publication of its first Statement
of Economic Strategy (SES). This was very important because it allowed the government to
place all the development challenges in a transparent, strategic and prioritised order. With the
SES, the national vision for moving forward was clearly articulated as well as strategies for
achieving that vision.

In line with the strategic focus, was the establishment of the Cabinet Development Committee

which provided a transparent process for monitoring development. Chaired by the Prime
Minister, the CDC involves all the Cabinet Ministers, Under-secretaries, and all heads of
ministries and Corporations.

Running parallel to this strategic focus was the reforming of the public sector which embraces
the restructuring of the public service and the enhancement of the performance of
government corporations to support the economic strategy for greater efficiency and
effectiveness in the delivery of services, towards a more market based competitive economy.

The reform of the public service and government corporations involved extensive corporate
planning to create not only a corporate environment for the operation of government
departments and enterprises that would promote greater transparency and accountability, but
also to gain better understanding of core functions and responsibilities to enable departments
and corporations alike to implement change management processes that will enhance or
improve the delivery of services they are responsible for.

The introduction of best practices and sound principles of good governance has been the
overarching objective of these reforms in the public sector towards improved and measurable
performance of government services.

These reforms were seen to be necessary in support of the government’s economic vision that
would enable the private sector to be the engine for growth. These reforms also take into
account the absorptive capacity of the government ministries as well as the capacity of the
private sector as a partner wherever possible, in the government’s privatization program.

1.3

Economic performance

Economic performance measured in real GDP, has improved consistently since late 1995

reaching robust growth rates of 6.9% and 6.2% in 2000 and 2001 respectively. These positive
growth rates were driven mainly by the construction sector, commerce industry, especially
tourism and the export sectors. Economic growth, slowed down to 2% in 2002, but overall,
the average growth rate in the last three years is 4.9%. Economic activity is showing signs of
improvement, supported by indicators in the first quarter of 2003 which was 6 per cent higher
than the first quarter in 2002.

On the external front, export revenues were 12% lower while imports increased by 1% over

2001. Remittances continued to grow strongly, increasing by more than $40 million over 2001.
Net foreign reserves, at year end amounted to $176 million, an increase of 0.6% over 2001 and
equivalent to 4.7 months worth of import cover.

The current account deficit improved significantly by $30 million, dropping from $95.5
million in 2001 to stand at $65.3 million in 2002. Narrowing the current account deficit was
assisted by the significant increases in net private transfers of $40.2 million and $1.64 million
of net income and services.

Domestic credit to the private sector rose to $295 million, representing an increase of $28
million over 2001.

On public finance, the 2001/02 (provisional) budget outturn indicates an overall deficit of
$17.5 million, compared to the budgeted deficit of $23 million.

The first half of fiscal year

2002/03 (provisional) budget outturn indicated an overall surplus of $3.6 million, against a
pro-rata estimated budget deficit of $8.6 million.

The annual average rate of inflation stood at 8.1 percentage points at end December 2002,
which was 4.2 percentage points above end December 2001. The increase was largely
attributed to the increasing prices of local goods sold at the Fugalei market. This trend has
however slowed to around 1.4% in October 2003.

1.4

Socio-context

In the light of the many changes which have been, and are continuing to take place in the
Samoan economy and society, the issues of inequality and hardship are emerging as important
issues and can no longer be ignored. Hardship and poverty are multi-dimensional, they are not
just concerned about income levels, although this is a key measure of poverty. For many
people, particularly those unemployed living in both the urban and rural areas, hardship is
about poor access to services and opportunities, or of being unable to realise their own
potential and aspirations. Even the traditional Samoan social structure and associated safety
nets are coming under strain as external influences affect attitudes and aspirations.

The results of the participatory survey carried out in 2002 and 2003, suggest that hardship is
becoming important daily issues at the household level. The results of the 2002 HIES will
provide baseline data to calculate the poverty line for Samoa and allow analysis of those
incomes below the basic needs poverty line who will be considered to be experiencing some
degree of financial hardship on a daily or weekly basis.

The level of basic literacy is both high and equitably distributed both throughout the country

and between genders. However there is some evidence that the quality of education and the
consequent attainment level reached by many students has not shown uniform improvement

in the recent years. There is also a need for more opportunities for technical and vocational
training for those who are unable to follow an academic path. Thus a significant proportion

of the student population might be failing to achieve their potential and are thus more likely to
experience hardship as a result of the lack of appropriate skills and relevant education, if they
are unable to share in the opportunities created by development.

Similarly in health, whilst many key health indicators have improved in recent years there is
concern that the quality of services being delivered, especially in some rural areas, is
insufficient. The morbidity profile of the population is tending towards non-communicable,
lifestyle diseases where strong primary health care, health education and nutrition programmes

have an important preventative role to play.

Thus whilst many appear to have become better-off, there are a growing number of others,
particularly amongst the youth and the elderly, who do not appear to be sharing directly in this
process. Many youth are finding it difficult to get the sort of jobs to which they now aspire; a
traditional village and subsistence agriculture lifestyle no longer has much appeal. Conditions
of financial hardship whilst not widespread do nevertheless; have the potential of leading to
increased social and domestic tensions, rising crime and a deteriorating quality of life for those

most affected

2.0

FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The sound and stable political situation and government's commitment to economic and

public sector reform and improving governance standards have been the principal factors
supporting the satisfactory rates of growth in the economy. These policies need to be
sustained but with added emphasis to addressing the needs of the community. The Strategy
for the Development of Samoa 2002 – 2004 (SDS) recognises this and has as its theme
"Opportunities for All".

The key issues facing Samoa are therefore the need to:

(i).

sustain and build on the good progress of the last seven or so years in
macroeconomic growth and stability;

(ii).

ensure continued fiscal discipline and improving standards of governance;

(iii).

continue to promote private sector investment and employment creation;

(iv).

strengthen the education system, particularly in technical and vocational skills;
and to,

(v).

improve primary health care and health education.

There is therefore a need for continued clear vision, strong leadership and good governance .
As the government has already recognised in the SDS, there is a need for a comprehensive set

of national strategies to achieve equitable growth and to alleviate hardship in Samoa.

Alleviating hardship needs to address both macro and micro level issues. At the macro level,
national policy must continue to focus on the broad issues of education and health service
delivery and creating an environment conducive to encouraging private sector investment. At
the micro level, it is necessary to address the specific needs of individual villages and
communities. This means promoting rural enterprise activities to create income generating
opportunities as well as meeting particular local priorities.

In the social area it needs small-scale hardship alleviation projects for improving water
supplies, health services, transport and similar community based activities. It also requires
government to improve the quality of basic service delivery, through better training of
teachers, staffing of schools and clinics, maintenance of health and education facilities and
infrastructure and improving the availability of essential teaching materials and medical
supplies.

The recent apparent slight weakening in the fiscal situation needs careful monitoring to ensure
that fiscal discipline is maintained. Continued economic growth needs to be sustained through
an appropriate investment enabling environment and improving governance standards.
Growth oriented, employment-creating strategies, must be maintained to keep the
macroeconomic side moving forward.
A new or revised set of national development strategies will be formulated in the coming year
or so as the present SDS rolls forward to 2004. The emerging issues of hardship and inequality
which have been identified need to be incorporated into future strategies and priorities to

achieve the government's objective of ensuring "Opportunities for All".

NATIONAL PROGRESS, PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF BPoA AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

3.1

Introduction

Samoa’s achievement and implementation of BPOA objectives and activities has been
measurably significant. These can be seen throughout national reports to Multilateral
Environment Agreements that Samoa has become party to, as well as programme and project
implementation terminals executed at the bilateral level with its development partners. While
the development, implementation and monitoring of this myriad of national and regional
programmes, actions and projects had been incepted towards a diversity or spectrum of goals

their integration reflects the achievement at the same time of BPOA objectives and goals.

The path to these achievements did not escape the obstacles and difficulties prevalent in
efforts by LDCs in their development. Samoa also faced difficulties in institutional, financial
and mechanistic resources. The magnitude and seriousness of these difficulties in each
thematic area also affects the extent of their achievement.

This section will provide an outline of the path towards achieving goals and objectives of

BPOA within its 14 main thematic areas since Barbados and also reflects on the challenges
and needs for future sustainable development.

3.2

National Progress:

3.2.1 Sectoral areas

3.2.1.1. Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
In the area of climate change the BPOA called for the ratification of or accession to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and others related to
the protection of the world from changes in atmospheric equilibrium. As a result Samoa
ratified the UNFCCC in 1994 and the Kyoto Protocol in 1997

A number of actions were taken at the national and community levels to implement the
climate change international agreements. At the same time, the goals and objectives of

national economic development strategies and policies remain closely integrated in the
development and implementation of these programmes and projects. These actions started
with Monitoring, surveying and data collection on observed climate change and variability, sea
level rise and their impacts on local social, environmental and economic sectors. These are
summarized in Table.1

Table.1 Surveying, Data Collection and Monitoring Programmes on Climate Change
Vulnerabilities and Strategic Adaptation Plans

Monitoring and Surveying
Programmes and Activities

Impact assessments on social
and economic vulnerabilities

Strategic Adaptation
Programmes and Plan

Greenhouse gas inventory (1999)

Vulnerability & Adaptation
Assessment 1999;

Planning for Climate Change
Policy in the finalization stage.

Sectoral Vulnerability Assessment
for Development of Initial
National Communications 1999

Community Vulnerability &
Adaptation Assessments 2003;

First National Communications
2000

Vulnerability & Adaptation Coastal infrastructure Assessment National Coastal infrastructure

Assessment (1999)

/ Hazard Mapping 2001

Management Strategy (2001)

Coastal Hazards Database 2001

Map areas and computer-based
information systems on vulnerable
areas to sea level rise

District Coastal Infrastructure
Management Plans (2002)

Community Vulnerability
Assessment 2003 – ongoing.

The mapping of areas vulnerable
to coastal hazards (flooding,
erosion, landslips) /sea level rise
was completed under the World
Bank funded project in 2001.

The data and information collated were then used as baselines for development of Climate
Change Adaptation Strategies and Measures. The strategy and action plan development
process contributed to a better understanding of the range of issues associated with the
development of methodologies, approaches and specific action oriented facilities that enabled
adequate adaptation to climate change and its impacts.

A number of key institutional mechanisms were set up to facilitate this development. They
include the establishment of a permanent National Disaster Council to coordinate
programmes and strategic response actions to extreme events, Establishment of the National
Climate Change Country Team, the formalization of the Climate Change Unit within the
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and an ongoing climate change Projects
Steering committee that oversees and provides technical advice for all climate related
programmes and projects.

All initiatives and actions taken by the government in partnership with the private sector and
communities had an associated public awareness component. This was to ensure common
understanding by all stakeholders of the issues and potential impacts of climate change
initiatives, objectives, goals and expected involvement of all players in the implementation of
assessment and adaptation actions. Specific actions to improve public and political
understanding include;

•

National Climate Change Awareness Day July every year since 2001

•

Media publicity / awareness programs on TV and radio

•

Continuous School programs in local newspapers and through the school
curriculum development office work

•

Community programs with pilot testing of adaptation projects in the villages of
Saoluafata in Upolu and Lano in Savaii

•

Environment Forum since 2000 during the environment week that is held on the
first week of November since 1991.

Samoa’s participation in the bilateral, regional and global research, assessment, monitoring and
mapping of climate impacts, including the adoption of oceanographic and atmospheric

measures and policies and the development o f response measures, resulted in its selection as a
case study in each of the following regional and international programmes. The four regional
programmes, include the Pacific Island Climate Change Adaptation Project (PICCAP) that
enabled the development of national communications and Green House Gas Inventory, the
Capacity Building for Development of Adaptation Measures for Pacific Island Countries
(CBDAMPIC) by CIDA and SPREP, the Promotion of Renewable Energy and Greenhouse
Gas Abatement Project (PREGA) project funded by ADB, and the Pacific Island Renewable
Energy Project (PIREP) project funded by UNDP and Pacific Island Global Climate

Observation Project (PIGCOS) executed by SPREP. At the international level there is the

National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) GEF/ UNDP project where urgent and
immediate adaptation needs of Samoa are being identified.

While a number of assessment reports, Action Plans and National Communications exist,
there still remains the challenge of filling information and data gaps in the area of Greenhouse
gas inventory and qualifying certainty of adaptation measures’ impacts on the social and
economic livelihoods of the local population.

3.2.1.2   Natural and Environmental Disasters
Samoa has strived to strengthen its disaster preparedness and management institutions.
Disaster management and awareness policies and plans including building codes, regulatory
and enforcement systems have been prepared and codified. These instruments have been
framed as responses to the need for  strengthened preparedness, response and mitigation that
improves the resilience of the country’s people, infrastructure and economy to the increasing
range and frequency of natural and environmental disasters.

The promotion of early warning systems and facilities for the rapid dissemination of

information and warnings has equipped the national Meteorological office with modern
computerised disaster early warning systems. In 1990 a National Disaster and Emergency
Management Council was established by Cabinet (chaired by the Prime Minister) to
coordinate the different roles of government departments and institutions, private sector
groups and NGOs in a way that harmonises the delivery and performance of each member’s
responsibilities in the three core stages of disaster management; namely Disaster Preparedness,
Disaster Response during an event and Disaster Mitigation in post-disaster reparation.

A National Disaster and Emergency Management Plan (NDEMP) was endorsed in 1991 and
later reviewed in 1997. The plan spells out the goals and objectives for disaster management at
the national level, the institutional requirements, and council membership (or stakeholder)
roles in response to all kinds of disasters likely to threaten Samoa. For instance a specific
Cyclone Response Plan has been established by the National Meteorology Office which is the
first line of information and defence for cyclones, tidal waves, and flooding, while the Fire
Department are first in line for execution of the Fire Response Plan that are part and parcel of
the NDEMP. Cyclones are the most common natural disasters in Samoa and expected to be

an annual phenomenon during the wet season, although there has only been record of three
extreme events of such magnitude between 1990 and 2003.

A permanent National Disaster Management Officer was appointed in the Prime Minister’s
department in 1997. The recent restructuring of government ministries saw the shifting of this
central disaster management role to the Planning and Urban Management Agency (PUMA) of
the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in early 2003.

The capacity of local broadcasting has been strengthened to assist remote rural and outer
island communities and among neighbouring countries during disaster events. The single
national radio was joined by the first private FM station in the late eighties and later expanded
to three more FM radio outlets in the mid 1990s. The radio frequencies are also received in
American Samoa, and Tokelau. The National television station was established and started
broadcasting in 1991. One other TV station was also established in the mid 1990s followed by
three Cable TVs in the late 1990s. In 2003 the public Television and radio stations were
merged into one broadcasting corporation to improve its operations and cost effectiveness.

A national disaster emergency fund has been planned for natural disasters. This fund is kept at
the Ministry of Finance with expected support and input from other ad hoc sources during

and after a national disaster event. There is joint private and public sector support for areas
where insurance is not available in the commercial market, taking into account the relevant
experience to be gained from the operation of similar funds.

Non government Organisations such as the Samoa Red Cross fundraises to assist Pacific
Island Countries that suffer severe disasters. The Government has also offered financial aid to
fellow Pacific Island Countries that suffer severe disasters. The village women’s committees
undertake implementation of non-governmental organisation programmes (including the Red

Cross) in disaster management. This is effected through the storage and dissemination of first
aid kits as well as information dissemination via the women’s centre, which is also the location
of the red cross box of first aid supplies.

Long term planning for disaster management is evidenced in the integration of natural and
environmental disaster policies into national development planning processes. Encouraged are
the development and implementation of public and private sector pre- and post- disaster
recovery plans, drawing on the capacity of the United Nations Department of Humanitarian

Affairs and the current focus on the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.

In the preparatory stages for natural disaster and emergency management, a number of
integrated actions have been developed. These have been promoted to improve resilience to
risk of natural hazards. The Coastal Infrastructure Management Strategy established under the
Infrastructure Asset Management Project (2000) expanded to 15 electoral districts with
completed Coastal Infrastructure Management Plans. The public and communities are also
made aware of the vulnerabilities of areas that they inhabit with the completion and

dissemination of a national series of hazard maps estimating the extent of flooding, landslip
and coastal erosion threats. A GIS database now contains a significant pool of information on
a range of hazards.

While the scope of National Disaster and Emergency Management Plan covers all types of
natural and environmental disasters, its implementation has concentrated mainly on extreme
weather events such as cyclones and tidal waves as well as bush fires. This is unarguably the
case given the frequent occurrences of these two types of environment disasters. Recently

however, other types of disasters are also becoming more important hence the much wider
expansion to health, pollution, agricultural, cultural and economic disasters.

A Draft Oil Spill Contingency Plan has been completed, with consultation being undertaken
to develop a Marine Pollution Legislation. The intention is to establish a legal framework that
can prevent pollutant spill disasters in Samoan waters, along the lines of international
Maritime Global Agreements.

The Ministry of Health has also developed its own response strategies against any health
epidemic of significance, while day-to-day programmes promote the preparedness and
preventive measures against any outbreaks of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and those deemed
contagious such as SARS and Rubella.

Samoa’s agricultural sector has suffered setbacks in its taro production throughout the 1990s
due to a virus (phytaurus virus) outbreak and the proliferation of the African snail pest. The
research centre of the Ministry of Agriculture has conducted research and put in place

response strategies to address these pressures, and as a result taro production has recovered in
more recent times although the quality.

Continuing efforts are made in strengthening cultural and traditional systems that improve the
resilience of local communities to disaster events. The women’s committee in every village is
an active group in national efforts on disaster management programmes and public awareness
is continuously enhanced through ongoing consultations with communities and the annual
commemoration of the annual Disaster Awareness day in October at the beginning of the
cyclone season.

3.2.1.3

Waste, Drainage and Sanitation

The Government has developed fiscal and policy incentives and other measures to encourage
environmentally sustainable imports and local products with low waste or degradable waste
content. Cabinet passed a directive that calls for the ban of importing non-ozone friendly
goods e.g refrigerators etc. Government has also reinforced the ban of pre 1995 made
vehicles. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) also bans the importation of right-hand driven
vehicles by codification of its relevant 2003 Regulations. Import duties on all imported drink

in cans, plastic and glass containers, where a portion of the duty is reimbursed if the importer
re-exports the containers. The government through MNRE introduced a disposal fee at the
Tafaigata Landfill site for commercial and industrial solid wastes as means to recover
operation and maintenance costs.

Data and information that reflect baselines for the waste situation and the management
approaches in Samoa to control pollution, monitor waste generation, emissions etc for both
sea and land based sources of pollution has reached a number of milestones. Waste

Characterization Studies were conducted and documented 1991, 1994 and1999. Time and
motion studies were also conducted together with the characterisation studies. The same
studies also assessed and recommended a competent authority in the country that will be
responsible for the on going coordination of waste management issues at the national level in
the MNRE. Land based sources of pollution were investigated in 1994. Estimation of
Persistent Organic Pollutants and Identification of contaminated sites in Samoa was
conducted in the first half of 2003.

The development and implementation of appropriate regulatory measures, including emission
discharge and pollution standards, for the reduction, prevention, control and monitoring of
pollution from all sources; for the safe and efficient management of toxic, hazardous and solid
wastes, including sewage, herbicides, pesticides and industrial and hospital effluent; and for the
proper management of waste disposal sites have all been taken up with the relevant organ of
government that is directly in charge.

A number of guidelines, draft standards, codes of environmental practise, and legislations

have been developed some of which already have the force of law. The approved policies and
guidelines include the National Environment Impact Assessment Guidelines, Urban Planning
& Management Strategy 2002 which sets up the Planning & Urban Management Agency
(PUMA) within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the National Waste
Management Policy 1996. Also approved is the Healthcare Waste Management Strategy 1999,
and immediately followed by the Healthcare Waste Management Strategy 1999.

The Planning and Urban Management Strategy (2002) and its Implementation Plan (2003) set

the framework for better management of sewage and drainage systems in Samoa. An
incremental approach is taken to lessen the burden of high costs associated with large-scale

conventional sewage treatment systems with ocean outfalls. An ADB facilitated Integrated
Sanitation and Drainage project has been approved by government in November 2003 and

expected for implementation in January 2004.

Samoa does not have environmental standards for most of technology and pollution sources
emitting contaminants into the environment. However, international standards of the World
Health Organisation (WHO), relevant standards and procedures of New Zealand and
Australia National Environment Agencies, and the USEPA have been selectively applied
where appropriate. Codes developed and operationalised to address waste management needs
include the National Codes of Environmental Practices 2002, and the National Building Code

2002.

The proposed National EIA Regulation is still under consideration by Cabinet, awaiting the
codification of the Planning and Urban Management Bill (2003), which has gone through its
second reading in parliament earlier this year. A proposed draft exists for an Integrated Waste
Management Plan for Apia (1999), but implementation did not wait until its formal
endorsement. Hence the upgrading of the Tafaigata Disposal Landfill since the beginning of
2003 that also saw the establishment of an Anaerobic Digester Plant & Waste Separation

Facility at Tafaigata 2003. A health care waste incinerator plant is being constructed at the
Tafaigata landfill which is designed to operate at the accepted international emission control
standards. A second landfill was established on the island of Savaii at Vaiaata in 1999. Its
planning included the undertaking of an EIA. The solid waste Collection (municipal) service
was extended to rural areas on both Upolu and Savaii in 2000. A new collection was also
recently introduced in 2002 for bulky waste such as refrigerators, TV and so on, twice a year
and free of charge, by the Government

Samoa has ratified and implemented relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)
or conventions relating to waste and pollution control. They include the Basel Convention on
the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal signed in
2002, the convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by dumping of wastes and other
matter (London Convention 1972), the Rotterdam Convention on Chemicals acceded to in
2002, and the Stockholm convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Samoa has also
given due recognition other international conferences such as the Global Programme of
Action for the Protection of the marine Environment from Land Based sourced of Pollutants.

Samoa is also a signatory to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone layer, its
Montreal Protocol for the Control of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and all of it
Amendments.

Implementation of these conventions at the national level started immediately after the
submission of Samoa’s instruments of ratification for each convention. For some of these
MEAs national enabling legislative environment already exists, while others needed new
initiatives. Enabling Activities under the Global Environment Facility were then approached

and approved to assist with the development of plans and strategies to facilitate
implementation.

Under the Stockholm convention Samoa has been enabled to identify sites in Samoa that are
contaminated with POPS. A National Implementation Plan for the convention is also being
prepared with an initial inventory. A special Task Team has been set up to develop the NIP
for POPS. Working parallel with the task team is the special committee (mainly from the main
authorities involved) to facilitate the future trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes

under the Basel and Waigani conventions.

Under the London Convention for Martine Pollution Control, port reception facilities for the

collection of waste in accordance with annex v of the International Convention fo r the
prevention of pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78).

In conformity with the Regional Waigani convention, and the Basel and relevant decisions
taken by the parties to that convention, Samoa has formulated and enforced national laws and
or regulations that ban the importation from states that are members of the organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development of hazardous wastes and other wastes subject to
the Basel Convention, including hazardous wastes and other wastes destined for recycling and

recovery operations. The Samoa Ports Authority was established in 2000, after being identified
as the competent authority in the country responsible for the on going policing of the
transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, while coordination remains with the MNRE.

The Montreal Protocol for the Phase out of Ozone Depleting Substance is probably the most
advanced in implementation of MEAs. A National Country programme was established back
in 1997, which included an Institutional Strengthening Project that is currently still operative.
The National Refrigeration Management Plan was approved in 2001, as well as ODS

Management Strategy and Action Plan also the same year. A national Policy to control the
importation of controlled ODS and white goods based on ODS is being finalised. In the
meantime, the Refrigeration industry and Customs officers have received on the job training
on alternative refrigeration practise and servicing, as well as ODS detection techniques for
boarder control, once the Licensing system is operative.

Court actions have been taken to deal with sea pollution incidents in 2000 penalizing some
vessels with fines. The proposed Shipping Bill that covers the trans-boundary movement of

hazardous wastes is in its final stages of public consultation.

Public awareness and education campaigns in waste management, sanitation and drainage have
been designed to gain local recognition of the need to control wastes at the source, the value
of reuse, recycling, renew, and of the possibilities for converting wastes to resources in
culturally appropriate ways particularly packaging. A number of capacity building and
awareness programmes have been implemented with some still ongoing. These include the
Samoa Environment and Conservation Support multi media environmental education project

1998, producing teaching materials (Where Can You Take Your Garbage, Composting, turn
Household waste into Food For your garden, Managing Samoa`s Waste), video and radio
programs. E nvironment subjects are integrated into the national education curriculum. Ad hoc
initiatives range from on-going workshops, meetings and other informal gathering focusing on
enhancing public awareness on waste at the community level to continuous airing of TV
advertisement and on going clean up campaign activities for schools and organizations.

A number of institutions (both public and private sector) have contributed to the effectiveness

of these programmes. Most prominent from government are the MNRE waste management
services and the Samoa Tourism Authority’s National Beautification Committee. The
utilisation of cross sectoral committees and task team are recognised as an excellent means of
ensuring better coordination and sharing of resources in the public sector programmes. A
number of NGOs are also involved in the committees.

A National Waste Awareness Day is commemorated in March as an annual event since
2001.

In addressing sewage and sanitation problems that are threatening the environment, clean
technologies and treatment of waste at the source and appropriate technology for solid waste

treatment have been introduced. These range from basic experimental pilots to large-scale
projects attracting government investment. Samoa has experienced construction of compost
toilets at villages, schools and some government organizations. A number of organic waste
composting projects at the community level were piloted in ten villages on Upolu in 2002 by
the MNRE, while the MAFFM contributes with continuing research of compost in
association with the JICA. The main hotels and an increasing number of government offices
in the central business district have connected to onsite sewage treatment systems.

3.2.1.4 Coastal and Marine Resources
The coastal and marine resources are fundamentally important for the well-being of the
Samoan people, as they provide food, shelter and protection as well as other basic needs for
their socio-economic development. The protection, conservation and development of marine
resources has been a high priority for the Samoan Government since independence in 1962,
and remains a major focus of sustainable development efforts.

The Palolo Deep Marine Reserves and the terrestrial O le Pupu Pu’e Parks & Reserves were
established in 1979. In the late eighties and early nineties, several marine and terrestrial
ecological surveys and inventories had been conducted to assess and evaluate the status of
these natural resources on which our socio-economic development depended. Coordinated
activities among the Government agencies, non-governmental organisations and the private
sector through active consultations took place. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Fisheries
and Meteorology (MAFFM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment (MNRE) established community inshore fisheries reserves that were managed

by the communities. These community inshore fisheries reserves have been expanded to cover
117 villages of the Samoan main islands. The Government in partnership with the World
Bank and IUCN and selected communities set up pilot projects in some of our districts
(Aleipata and Safata) to verify the concept of Community-Based Marine Protected Areas
(CBMPA) which if successful, will then be replicated in other parts of Samoa. The CBMPA
will be completed by the end of 2004.

Samoa ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on February 9

1994, the

Convention on Biological Diversity on August 14

, 1995 and the Cartagena Protocol on

Biosafety in June 2002.

In 2002, Cabinet approved the dedication of its entire Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for a
National Marine Sanctuary for sharks, dolphins, turtles and whales. The finalisation of the
management plan for the sanctuary is work in progress for the Division of Environment and
Conservation of MNRE and the Fisheries Division of the MAFFM. Since Samoa’s EEZ is the
smallest in the region and the resources therein are vulnerable to illegal fishing, it is vital that

there is efficient management and control of these marine resources. Work is in progress in
the delineation of Samoa’s EEZ with the assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the
SOPAC.

The development and formulation of the Marine Resources Use Policy has been progressively
undertaken as part of the National Environment Management Strategy (NEMS 1994) and
should be ready for approval before the end of 2004.

Public awareness methodologies and techniques have been developed and tested for
effectiveness. Effective coordination and collaboration among the key stakeholders have been

integrated into the im plementation of various programmes and projects, at the community
level as well as harnessing the strengths of the traditional social structures. An all pervasive

approach has been taken in public awareness campaigns to include all levels of stakeholders
on the importance of nature and the environment and the limited natural resources that
Samoa has, in order to instigate collective efforts in sustainable management and utilisation of
these resources.

3.2.1.5 Freshwater Resources
People all over the world are increasingly realizing that water is a finite and vulnerable natural

resource. In 1992 the Water and Environment Conference in Dublin and the United Nations
(UN) Conference on Environment and Development in Rio focused attention on treating
water as a scarce and vulnerable resource that is essential for all life. The conference
recommended that water developments must satisfy basic human needs first and that water
use beyond that should be charged appropriately. That same conference identified water as an
economic good that should be developed through a participatory approach.

Beside the basic needs for drinking, hygiene and food production, water is also required for

hydro-generation of electric power, manufacturing and other industries. Unfortunately,
sufficient water is not always available to meet all these competing needs due to the limited
nature of natural water resources, as well as wasteful use of water resources. In other cases,
sufficient water may be available, but is not suitable for the intended use due to poor quality.

In 1982 a ‘Watershed Evaluation’ was carried out by FAO in collaboration with the Division
of Forestry, Parks & Reserves of MAFFM. Since then more and more activities have been
directed to improve the status of identified watershed areas in Samoa up until 1990.

Government approved the establishment of the Watershed Management Section under the
Forestry Division of the MAFFM which activities mainly focused on the most immediate
needs of the Vaisigano and Fuluasou Watershed areas feeding the main supply for the
township of Apia and the surrounding villages as well as those at Faleaseela and Palauli in
Savaii. Rehabilitation forest plantations have been established at the Vaisigano and Fuluasou
degraded watershed areas and assessments of other watershed areas were undertaken.
Community tree planting on customary lands have been encouraged and facilitated by the
Watershed Section through public consultations and awareness raising activities. Currently this

activity has now been replicated in both islands of Upolu and Savaii.

The Watershed Regulation was approved by Cabinet in 1992 and in July 1994, the Samoa
Water Authority was set up under the Water Authority Act 1994. The Samoa Water Authority
(SWA) has since been working very hard on the improvement of water services and the
effective control of water consumption and related uses.

The realignment of ministries as part of the public sector reform programme by the Samoa

Government in 2002 resulted in the transfer of the Watershed Section from the MAFFM to
the MNRE under the Division of Environment and Conservation (DEC). The current review
of the Principal Act of Lands, Surveys and Environment 1989 (LSE Act 1989) has
accommodated this transfer, which will be tabled in Parliament as the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment Act 2003 (MNRE Act 2003). Since the MNRE is given the full
responsibility for water resources, it is in the process of developing and formulating a proposal
for a Water Resources Division for the approval of the government.

Cabinet approved the National Water Resource Policy in 2001 and the SWA is currently
finalizing the National Water Services Policy for Government approval before the end of

2004. ‘WATER FOR ALL SAMOA’ is the theme of the national water resource policy
approved by Government in 2001 under the MNRE as well as the national water services

policy currently developed by the SWA..

The introduction of water tariffs and a user pay system will go a long way to control excessive
water utilisation and wastage. There are currently 13 bottled water ventures in the country,
providing quality water as well as import sources.

The regional International Waters Project (IWP-Samoa) has been focusing on two (2) pilot
projects to rehabilitate degraded watershed areas in the rural communities of Apolimatai island

and Lepa village since 2001. Protection of the watershed areas and the community’s
commitment to sustainable management and use of the water resources are crucial elements
of this project. Again these pilot projects are expected to be replicated in other villages of
Samoa, if the resultant outcomes are sustainable and economically viable.

There is a need to ensure that there is coordination on the implementation of responsibilities
of all parties involved in the sustainable management of freshwater resources especially when
such responsibilities span a number of ministries and government corporations as well as civil

society.

3.2.1.6 Land resources
The development of land resources has principally been in the development and improvement
of national databases and the dissemination of information to relevant groups, especially local
communities, youth and women, for land-use planning and management. Information on
estimates of the carrying capacity, eco nomic and environmental value of land resources, along

with appropriate decision-making tools, such as land/geographic information systems have all
been part of the assessment and dissemination process. In the latter half of the last decade,
management and control mechanisms such as policies and legislation came to the fore.

The government through MNRE has developed national land information databases and
attempts have been made starting with internal networking that links various databases for
easy access within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment that is mandated with
the generation and storage of land related information. A website including relevant

publications for the purpose of national and international awareness on the progress of
Samoa’s implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and the Ministry’s core
functions and services such as land management, technical land services (surveying, mapping,
valuation and drafting), Planning and Urban Management, and Conservation has been
established.

There is work in progress on the land capability/zoning systems for Samoa and the need to
establish mechanisms for the sustainable allocation of land-based resources such as sand,

aggregates, rocks etc. Traditional management systems, government institutions and
development projects have been taken into consideration in the process of sustainable
management and development of limited land resources.

Land in Samoa is divided into three main tenure; customary, freehold and government lands
as shown in Table-2.

Table- 2 Estimates of Land Ownership in Samoa in 1991

Type

Upolu
(ha) %

Savaii
(ha) %

Total
(ha) %

Customary land

76,166

153,490

229,656

Government

19,758

10,626

30,384

WSTEC/SLC

9,499

4,476

13,975

Freehold

7,800

1,037

8,837

Total

113,223

169,629

282,852

100

In the rural communities, land remains primarily under customary ownership and a large
proportion of it is under cultivation. A study conducted in 1990 (ANZDEC) produced land
use capability maps of the whole country. The maps categorised Samoa’s land into four main
classes:

1) land with few limitations to agricultural use (39,600 ha);

2) land with moderate limitations to agricultural use and few limitations to forestry

(121,700 ha);

3) land with severe limitations to agricultural use and moderate to severe limitations to

forestry (59,400 ha); and

4) land unsuitable for agriculture or forestry (69,000 ha)

Samoa acceded to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on
August 20.1998 Reporting requirements under this convention have already been met with

two reports submitted in the last two years consecutively.

Samoa has prepared and/or reviewed land -use plans in conj unction with agricultural, forestry,
mining, tourism, traditional land-use practices and other land -use policies, with a view to
formulating comprehensive land -use plans and zoning so as to protect land resources, ensure
sustainable and productive land -use and guard against land degradation and pollution that
exceed the island’s carrying capacity. It is widely understood that the tenure system in Samoa,
which gives more than 80% of land ownership to the Chiefs and Orators complicates any

commitment from financial agencies to use these as collateral for lending. Absentee owners
who could be residing overseas or in town may caveat the exchange of use of land in the rural
areas or traditional villages. This has resulted in some of the customary land being left
unattended to. Disputes over ownership of some land result in these land being overgrown
with weeds and scrub. Fortunately though, when the village council conducts its clean-up for
beautification of the village these overgrown lands are also maintained. T here are also village
based reserves particularly in forestry where the village are charged with maintenance of the
forests.

A Sand Mining Policy was formalised in 2001 to provide guidance for management of sand
and aggregate extraction from the foreshores of Samoa. Existing legal requirements are
contained in Part VIII of the Lands Surveys and Environment Act 1989, which prohibits
removal of sand or any aggregate from the foreshore, as well as disallowing any construction
including reclamations within the foreshore without the prior consent of the Minister of
MNRE. The Coastal Infrastructure Management Plans also provide guidance for the
responsibilities of villages, and districts as well as the government, in ensuring that the sand

resources are not being extracted beyond the carrying capacity of the foreshore so that in the
long run, natural replenishment becomes elongated or even impossible.

The Planning and Urban Management Bill (PUMB) 2003 which has already gone through its
second reading in parliament went through a national consultative process to ensure wide

public support and adherence, is expected to provide a legal framework for the management
of and control of unsustainable types of landuse. Particular types of land utilisation forms will

be closely scrutinised with the requirement for mandatory development consent. Included is
the Salelologa Township development on the island of Savaii. Government has acquired
customary land with compensation to develop physical infrastructure to attract Savaiians to
remain on the island and develop its land and human resources.

Appropriate forms of land tenure are encouraged, improved land administration and a greater
appreciation of the integrated nature of land development is promoted in order to facilitate
sustainable land-use, with the establishment of the National Land Use Policy.

In addition, the Land Management Division of MNRE administers the extraction of land
resources such as; the reclamation of land from the sea and river banks and extraction of sand
and aggregates. Coastal-based communities are increasingly becoming more aware of the
effects of unsustainable sand mining, and are addressing this issue through traditional
governance (e.g – bans). Issues arising from unsustainable sand mining have increasingly been
recognised in various programmes (Climate Change, Marine Biodiversity conservation, and
Coastal Infrastructure asset management). The increasing application of Environment Impact

Assessment procedures to proposed sand extractions has meant that such could be carried out
in a more sustainable manner.

3.2.1.7 Energy Resources
Samoa’s energy needs are mostly dependent on external or overseas supply of fuel. Fuel for
transportation and technology are oil dependent although there has also been an increase in
renewable hydropower energy generation with the establishment of the Afulilo hydropower

plant. This improvement is coupled with strategic promotion of a more efficient use of energy
sources in development planning and use of appropriate methods to minimize the adverse
effects of climate change on the sustainable development of those resources.

These are reflected in the incorporation of renewable energy in Samoa’s National Energy draft
policy. Two ongoing projects such as PIREP and PREGA are also mainly focused on research
and technical assistance to encourage the development of renewable energy opportunities that
exist in Samoa.

More than 75% of Samoa is now covered by electricity. While access has been improved
dramatically, the quality of electricity has been haphazard with breakages or outages becoming
common in remote as well as heavily populated areas in the urban area due to a demand that is
higher than the capacity of the supply.

The idea for Geothermal power has been explored by a coupe of overseas developers, but the
drilling is extremely expensive. The amount of land envisaged to be encircled within such an

exploration exercise was confirmed substantial hence will be difficult to secure and
compensate.

Overall, a draft National Energy Policy has been completed and being taken through a
consultation process. One of the main components of the policy has been reserved for
renewable energy. The development of this part of the policy involved the promotion of
public awareness of renewable energy, collection of data on sustainable energy needs and
potential, development of pilots on renewable energy, development of Type II projects on

renewable energy, development of Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) projects on
renewable energy, and development of efficient wood stoves for cooking

At the same time, except for the development of hydro electricity generation, there is limited

action to date on sustainable energy. Nevertheless, actions at the national level for the
development of energy resources are expected to lead to the establishment of a division for
sustainable energy, incorporating climate change and other energy related projects such as the
organic waste biogas generation project being piloted at the national landfill at Tafaigata on
the island of Upolu. The main focus of the energy sector in Samoa is for the development of
renewable energy, such as solar, wind, heat, biogas and wave energy. There has been a pilot
study conducted for the potential of renewable energy in the small island of Apolima and
findings have proven it to be costly and unaffordable.

3.2.1.8 Tourism Resources
Tourism development and environmental management are mutually supportive. This is the
principle that has been given great recognition by the government of Sam oa as well as its
private sector and community tourism stakeholders in efforts to capitalize on this growing
sector. Strategic development in tourism has gone through various planning stages that take
into account the three pillars of development in social, environmental and economic

considerations. This is reflected in the successive National Statements of Economic Strategies
including the current Strategy for the Development of Samoa 2002-2004, identifying the
Tourism Sector as developing attractions and activities with respect to nature, culture,
adventure and coastal tourism

Planning processes for tourism resulted in the finalization of the first Tourism Development
Plan 1994 -1998. Later in 2002 the initial plan was reviewed and the Tourism Development
Plan 2002-2006 was completed to provide a framework for sustainable tourism development

which focuses on conserving and enhancing the country’s natural and built environment. Its
goal is to provide a framework and a process that ensures a balanced, coordinated, practical
and efficient approach to the sustainable development of tourism in Samoa.

As a result tourism in Samoa has enabled the sustainable development of cultural and natural
heritage sites, including conservation areas, providing more visitor interest since the past
decade. Sustainable tourism has promoted environmentally related conservation efforts in the
preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites of Samoa, and since 1994 tourism earnings

have been the largest source of foreign exchange. Tourism receipts have grown from 5% of
GDP in the eighties to 15% in the late nineties.

Samoa has adopted integrated planning and policies to ensure sustainable tourism
development, with particular attention to land -use planning and coastal zone management
activities requiring environmental impact assessments for all tourism projects. The continuous
monitoring of the environmental impact of all tourism activities and the development of
guidelines and standards for design and construction taking into account energy and water

consumption, the generation and disposal of wastes and land degradation, the proper
management and protection of eco -tourism attractions, and the carrying capacity of areas for
tourism have all culminated in assurance that tourism is not being developed at the expense of
the social and environment resources.

Integration of sustainable development objectives in tourism are evidenced by the Samoa
Tourism Authority (STA) adopting the EIA Guidelines 1998 and draft EIA Regulation 1998
for evaluation of all tourism projects. The National Policy for Cultural and Natural Heritage

has been drafted. The National Landuse Policy was approved by Cabinet in 2001 and so was

the Coastal Infrastructure Management Strategy 2001 for the protection of government and
community coastal assets.

The Samoa Tourism Authority has and continues to work with private researchers to design
and implement the Sustainable Tourism Indicators program to be used in monitoring cultural,
economic, and environmental impacts of tourism development.

The development of tourism facilities have been encouraged to meet specific niche markets,
particularly in eco-tourism, nature and cultural tourism, and involve local populations in the
identification and management of natural pro tected areas set aside for eco -tourism. Since 1994

development of eco-tourism through nature based activities and cultural experience had
increased awareness of tour operators and visitors on the importance of a balance in
environment and environment eco-tourism activities.

The Tourism Taskforce was established by Cabinet to promote an enabling environment for
tourism investment, facilitate upgrading and expansion of accommodation, identify potential
premium sites for development, and to attract in the near-term investment in a quality-room
hotel/resort. Samoa has an increasing number of protected areas, some of which are also

popular with visitors. All these areas have associated tourism activities and most have
considerable potential for further tourism use and improved management interpretation.
Tourism awareness is improved at the village, public and private sector levels through
strengthening the consultative process

Measures have been adopted to protect the cultural integrity of Samoa as a Small Island
Developing State. These include STA through its Development plan 2002-2006, promoting
natural, cultural, adventure and coastal tourism and improvement in its development of

attractions and activities with respect to nature, culture, adventure and coastal tourism. The
STA in close collaboration with the tourism industry in Samoa supports all small and medium
sized resorts in rural areas for community development, and National Committee for Culture
and Natural Heritage Sites which was established in 2001 and includes all relevant
stakeholders and players in the tourism industry.

3.2.1.9 Biodiversity Resources
The biodiversity of Samoa is particularly important in the context of the South Pacific. A
review of the conservation value of a total of 226 South Pacific Islands (Dahl 1986) ranked
three of the islands of Samoa highly, Savai’i at number 23, the Aleipata islands at 30 and
Upolu at 46. The flora is one of the most diverse in Polynesia with about a quarter of the
plants endemic. The importance of the country’s birdlife, particularly the proportion of
endemic species (23%), and the threat to it have been recognised by the International Council
for Bird Preservation (ICBP) who have listed the Samoan Islands as one of the world’s
‘Endemic Bird Areas’ that is in need of urgent conservation attention (ICBP, 1992).

Because of the potential danger of losing our heritage, there continues to be concentrated
effort to ensure that Samoa sustains its wealth of biodiversity for socio -economic and
ecological development. Policies and legislations have been developed and formulated such as
the National Biodiversity Policy (NBP), National Deforestation Policy (NDP) and the
National Heritage Policy (NHP). Approval of these is anticipated before the end of 2004.

Samoa ha s placed great importance on the International Environmental Agreements (IEA),
and has been instrumental in leading the region in ratifying various biodiversity-related

agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Cartagena Protocol,
the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the CITES, the Convention on Wetlands

(RAMSAR) and the Convention on World Heritage (CWH). These international agreements
have been very useful for Samoa to access both financial and technical support for the

implementation of various activities to achieve sustainable development and at the same time
enhance the awareness of our people and the local communities of common concerns and
issues and elicit appropriate responses. Also as a party to these IEAs, Samoa has been very
focused on the priorities set-up in our policies and plans, and various enabling activities have
been prepared and approved through UNDP, World Bank and the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) to achieve sustainable development.

A National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was completed in 2001 and now

serves as the guiding blueprint for the protection and conservation of our environment. The
National Project for the formulation of the National Biosafety Framework was initiated in
2001 and work is progressing towards finalising the framework for the consideration of the
National Coordination Committee (NCC) before Cabinet approval, hopefully before the end
of 2004.

A Medium Sized Project (MSP) for the conservation and monitoring of the upland and
lowland forests of Savai’i which is believed the last remaining native forest areas in Samoa is

near completion. The Government of Australia and the South Pacific Regional Environment
Programme (SPREP) have been helping Samoa in the conservation of mangrove areas,
establishing pilot projects in the conservation of native forests in Savaii and Upolu, and the
development and formulation of the National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan
(ISAP), which was highly recommended by the NBSAP as a priority issue for Samoa. This
document is now in its final stages of preparations and consultation, and should be ready
before the end of 2004.

Throughout these programmes and projects, public awareness have been built into the
activities, and monitoring and evaluation exercises have also been undertaken to ensure
sustainability and acceptance by our people.

Various community-based conservation areas both marine and terrestrial have been
established and managed by the local communities. Community-based training activities on
various environmental issues have been promoted and carried out in villages, districts, schools
and with special groups. A transparent and close working relationship is essential with the

media and educational and research institutions on the value of our biodiversity and its
importance to socio -economic development

3.2.1.10

Transport and Communications

Samoa has continued its efforts to strengthen transport services and facilities at both the
national and local levels, paying particular attention to environmental protection, safety, and
innovative energy-efficient and low -cost transport solutions. The CIMS has great bearing on

the planning and development of transportation systems and network that are responsive to
public and community needs.

This is demonstrated by a number of national actions being undertaken at project level by the
Ministry of Works, Infrastructure and Transport (MWIT). The MWIT carried out a few
projects within the country during the period 1999-2003 which involved physical work to
upgrade and improve road networks and bridges. After the two tropical cyclones in 1990 and
1991, the Road network covers almost 90% of the whole country with sealed roads. From

1994, after the Road safety programmes has been conducted to minimize road accidents more
progress was registered with rural roads and urban residential area side street sealing works.

To improve safety on the roads, the Land Transport Board and Administration conducted

Defence driving courses as part of the Road Transport Administration and Safety Programme
in 2000-2001. The IAMP is also providing the Transport Control Board with specialist
consultancy services for improving road safety, education, motor vehicle certification and
relevant legislative review. As well, MOT has enforced its rules on the types and models of
vehicles that are allowed to be imported into Samoa, this includes the ban on the importation
of left hand drive vehicles.

Specific transportation sector projects driven and implemented by government include the

Project for the Construction of the Inter-Islands Navigation Vessel, Improvement of all the
Ports Project including the construction of the new wharf at Apia, in collaboration with the
government of Japan (2002-2003). The improvement and upgrading of the national airport
includes the runway paving, drainage and auxiliary works as well as improvements and
upgrade of the airport terminal, construction of the new Aviation control Tower and Fire
Station within the airport compound and the installation of emergency fire fighting
equipment. Improvements to sea and air transportation facilities have also addressed
quarantine and customs problems and requirements stemming from insufficient space and

unclear designations.
Domestic communication facilities, including radio and telephone coverage, were upgraded to
remote rural and outer island communities, and continued efforts to improve international
telecommunications links. Satellite communication has progressed as well as mobile
telecommunications becoming widely available.

Specific actions of national significance in the communications sector include the
development of rural Telecommunications to extend services to the rural areas in Upolu and

Savaii islands since 1994. Almost 98% of government departments and private sectors have
access to internet and use of email connection for speedy communications.

Significant progress has been made with regards reforms in the transport sector with devolved
responsibilities to the different authorities such as the Samoa Ports. There is a proposal for a
Land Transport Authority that is under Cabinet consideration, but one of the activities with
the Transport Control Board is the planned construction of a new vehicle testing complex
that will include the testing of vehicle emissions to levels that are acceptable for ambient air

control and greenhouse gas emission control.

3.3

Cross sectoral areas

3.3.1 National Institutions and Administrative capacity
The national institutions and administrative capacit ies have gone through a major
restructuring process. Institutional realignment of government agencies came into effect in
January 2003. It reduced 26 departments to 14 ministries. The build up to this new public

sector structure involved institutional strengthening of the public service for more
transparency and accountability though a PSC -ISP project as well as 12 other ministry specific
institutional strengthening projects. Coupled with these reforms are institutional strengthening
training and corporate governance workshops to enhance capacity of public sector chief
executives, assistants and even to the officer level on management or ministries, divisions and
sections therein.

The mandate for the protection and management of the environment also resulted in
institutional restructuring from the former Department of Lands Surveys and Environment to

the new Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, incorporating: lands, natural
resources, environment, planning, disaster management and supporting technical services.
Capacity for corporate and business planning was developed. Processes for the management
of natural resources and environment were also developed which saw the Draft procedures
for EIAs implemented, and its enabling legislation in progress.

Government established transparent tendering procedures for contracting-out services and
approved policies on population and sustainable development. The new legislation for the

MNRE incorporates MEAs into national laws. The Aid Coordination Division has  been
moved from the MFAT to Treasury.

3.3.2  Regional Institutions and Technical Cooperation
Samoa has ratified key environmental regional agreements such as the Apia Convention,
SPREP Convention, and the Waigani convention. The government has indicated its
commitment to environment protection and management at the regional and international
level by availing land to accommodate the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme

(SPREP) head quarters at Vailima. The location is pristine property of natural upland
ecosystem and part of a national reserve.

Samoa also actively participates in other CROP agencies of the Pacific as well as the
coordinating Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Samoa’s participation in these CROP agencies
has led to its close involvement in a number of regional programmes for the protection of the
environment. These include regional programmes for climate change, waste management,
pollution prevention, biodiversity conservation, management of hazardous substances,

community development initiatives, protection of the ozone, and many more.

A great deal of national projects and activities has also been enabled through bilateral
arrangements, particularly with the governments of New Zealand (biodiversity conservation
and waste management), Australia (Persistent Organic Pollutants and Hazardous substances)
and Japan (waste management). Integrated projects have been implemented under ADB and
World Bank projects that include specific components dealing with Environmental
assessments, urban planning for sanitation and drainage, and planning for landuse

development.

3.3.3 Science and technology
Limited progress has been made in integrating science and technology into sustainable
development programmes. Nevertheless Samoa has been open-minded in welcoming
environment friendly technology pilot projects into Samoa. The integration of science into
sustainable development should start at the curriculum development level and this has started.

While there is no framework for the application of science and technology for sustainable
development a number of activities have already begun in the various sectors. For instance, in
agriculture, tissue culture has played a significant part in the development of suitable blight
resistant taro hybrids and there has been extensive work on germplasm development for the
fruit tree industry. A growing thematic area is organic farming, where bee keeping, vegetable
gardens and coconut oil production in selected parts of Upolu and Savaii have been certified.
Much of the research into environment friendly technology has been taking place at the Nuu

agricultural station of MAFFM. Cut flower has also been on the rise with some o the farmers
using composted soil from kitchen waste..

The generation of power from hydro schem es has been extensive and not without the scrutiny

of the Environmental Impacts Assessments. The proper management of waste disposal
through a semi sanitary landfill that uses locally available material has also been completed
with ongoing maintenance continuing. The recycling of waste oil has also been explored by
private sector entrepreneurs. The generation of biogas from the anaerobic decomposition of
organic waste is also being experimented with at the Tafaigata Landfill on Upolu.

Awareness days for the various thematic environment components such as climate change,
hazardous substances, waste management, water resource, biodiversity etc has also seen

environmental technology ideas being put on display by college students.

3.3.4 Human Resources Development
Institutional and process strengthening should go hand in hand with the enhancement of the
available human resources capacity. Key activities that affected the progress made in
institutional restructuring centre on strengthening of existing HRD in the public sector. The
National SDS identified Education and health as the two national priorities in the

enhancement of human resources to support its strategic development goals. Training needs
analyses have been completed in most of the government ministries. Notably is the progress
made in the strengthening of capacity within the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment which has been mandated with the protection of the environment and natural
resources. Personnel have been trained and appointed to senior positions for all MEAs that
Samoa has become party to, as well as senior positions traditionally within this government
institution.

Since the establishment of the Division of Environment and Conservation (DEC) in 1990,
its core staff has increased from 8 to 21 in 2001. The DEC was later split into two divisions
in June 2002 giving birth to the new Planning and Urban Management Agency with
consecutive staff numbering 21 each with the addition of Watershed Management from the
Ministry of Agriculture to DEC, the creation of a Marine Conservation Unit, and the
transference of Disaster Management Division from the Prime Ministers department to
Environment Planning in PUMA. The Fisheries Division of MAFFM has been
strengthened.

3.3.5

Implementation, Monitoring and Review.

National progress made and the problems encountered in the implementation of the BPOA
have been identified through established implementation, monitoring and Review processes.
These have been developed by involving relevant stakeholders in designing best practice and
approaches that are affordable and realistic.

Implementation, monitoring and review of all environmental component programmes and
actions have been established through institutional strengthening and restructuring of the
public sector that promotes partnerships with private sector and community stakeholders.
Table.2 lists the various examples of implementation monitoring and review mechanisms that
have been developed and operating.

Table.2

Implementation, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms

Development Component

Mechanism

Climate Change

National Country Team for Climate Change, Task Teams for Each
project (Climate Change Section – PUMA)

Marine Resources (Fisheries)

Monitoring of fish catches being enforced by the nationa l Police Force
and Fisheries Officers.

Biodiversity

National Biodiversity Country team, DEC (MNRE). Terrestrial Water
and Marine resources also have a specific team.

Waste Management, Sanitation and
Drainage

All projects implemented and monitored in accordance to project TOR
and funding requirements. A Project\ Steering Committee has been
established for Sanitation and Drainage works to be chaired by Treasury.
The Urban Management Services Section of PUMA (MNRE) monitors
daily rubbish collection and evaluates performance of contractors.

Transport and Communications

Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure formed in 2003, Land
Transport Board being upgraded to Authority, Contract selection criteria
upgraded by the Tenders Board and new legal requirements for Contract
Development by the Attorney general’s office to ensure fair treatment.

Ministry of Communications, Privatized service provision for
communications, Radio and TVS amalgamated

Energy Resources

National Energy Task Team being linked to the National Team for
Climate Change to ensure coordination with other climate change
related projects. Project office established in Treasury.

Science and Technology

PUMA

Land Use Development

PUMA processes for land use development consents and environmental
impact assessments.

Tourism Development

STA has its own programme and project planning, implementation and
review procedures.

The implementation of actions to achieve objectives of development components have been
constrained initially by the lack of financial resources and lack of human resources. The
response was to bring closer the public and private sector service providers for
implementation. Communities were closely involved in community developments and

projects, while private sector local consultants were given employment opportunities in close
collaboration with the respective Ministry or National Teams responsible for each
development component.

Monitoring of community and private sector implementation is made a responsibility of the
project coordinator in the Ministries while public sector performance has been monitored
through the Performance Budgeting system introduced by government in the late 1990s.

Evaluation of programmes and projects are conducted using midterm, and terminal evaluation
procedures of funding sources including government’s own processes. Evaluation of the
actual impact of the programmes and actions has however been difficult to measure due to
difficulty with finalizing agreed parameters for quantitative indicators, particularly in the area
of public awareness. Ministries and national organizations responsible for implementing
projects and action plans have encountered problems with evaluation procedures of United
Nations Implementing Agencies basing success of projects on the rate of expenditure rather
than actual activities completed and planned output deliverables achieved.

3.4

Problems encountered

Implementation of the BPoA was not an easy exercise for Samoa, taking into account its

infrastructure, limited capacity in both financial and human resources and most importantly
the limited support and assistance by the international community.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) for the last ten years has
undertaken reviews of its structure in order to determine the most relevant, effective and
efficient organisation to deliver what would best meet the needs of our people in sustainable
environmental protection, conservation and security.

Since Barbados, the agency of the Government responsible for the environment has yet to
reach a level of capacity that would confidently provide effective services. Its budgetary
allocation remains minimal and insufficient, specialized skills and knowledge are lacking and
the number of staff is still not enough to cater for the current work load. Environmental
facilities and tools are lacking, technology transfer is rudimentary and there is a lack of
scientific and technical support from the educational and research institutions. All of these
constraints and problems are contributory to the challenges of effectively implementing the
BPoA now and in the years ahead.

There is still much to be done to ensure that there is compliance with legislations and policies;
however at the same time, these need to be carefully matched against people’s needs in order
to engender a better appreciation of the importance of conservation.

3.5 Future development
In order to ensure continued progress in the next ten years support is required for the
following:

Funding for community projects to protect coastal and conserve marine resources and
protect and improve watershed areas and water sources

Funding for community-based conservation projects and pilot projects identified in
the National Invasive Action Plan and the NBSAP pilot projects identified in the
National Invasive Action Plan and the NBSAP

Funding for implementation of activities identified under the WSSD report

Technical studies on coastal and marine resources

Effective legislation to protect watershed areas and public access to water resources;

develop technical capacity to assess and monitor water resources and develop
mechanisms for water allocation

Legislative review of all the environment-related laws and regulations in Samoa

Implementation of National Policies (Water, Land, Biodiversity, Marine, Coastal,
Deforestation etc.)

Technical support for our land resources: national policy on customary land uses, land
use capability plans, national inventory of customary land, develop maps of land
degradation and develop technical land databases.

4.0

TRADE AND INVESTMENT & STATE OF VULNERABILITY

4.1

Trade related needs and concerns:

The Samoan Government believes that sustained economic growth and reduction of
unemployment requires growth in private sector investment. The Government is encouraging
growth in the export and import substitute industries and tourism and to that end offers
incentives to investors and exporters in the form of duty concessions.

On the import front the main concern often expressed by the business community relates to
import tariffs on both finished goods and raw materials. It is sometimes experienced that

some policies put in place by government to encourage growth and sustainability may work to
the contrary in some sectors of the economy. One of the concerns raised by the
manufacturing sector is that, on reflection, tariffs for some imported finished products from
overseas are equal to the tariffs applied on imported raw materials to manufacture similar
products locally.

The sourcing of raw materials and inputs from overseas has been very costly. This has
affected the competitiveness of our local products in relation to final goods imported from

abroad. Samoa’s manufacturers and importers have to venture beyond our traditional trading
partners in order to obtain good quality products at competitive prices.

It is often the experience that overseas market requirements may demand a minimum volume
to be supplied by the exporters. However, these requirements on volume cannot be met due
to supply side constraints such as the smallness in size, isolation from major markets and
occurrence of natural disasters. This is often the case in agro-based products and calls for
investment in the production of downstream processing of locally available resources.

Non-tariff barriers have been a major concern for Samoan exporters. These non-tariff barriers
(NTBs) come in the form of quarantine, customs and standards & conformance. Samoa has
experienced and is still facing difficulties in trying to comply with excessiv e measures accorded
by the New Zealand authorities to some of Samoa’s export products. A recent example is the
measures imposed by the New Zealand Food Authority on the import of desiccated coconut
from Samoa. The requirement calls for all desiccated products to go through metal detectors
in Samoa and again upon entry into New Zealand. This measure is not applied to other

exporters of the same product from other parts of the world and has certainly weakened the
competitiveness of Samoan products in the New Zealand market cost wise. There is a need
for consistency in application of importing countries’ policies to allow for a level playing field
for all exporters.

Some of the farmers have alluded to the lack of overseas markets for their products. However,
it can be argued that the concern is not the lack of markets, but rather it is Samoa’s inability to
consistently supply good quality products on a timely basis at competitive prices. It is likely

that our exporters probably are not fully aware of the requirements the markets of the
importing countries.

4.2

National level or community based initiatives related to trade practices and

services including those that aim at diversifying exports or improving national
competitiveness
The Government has introduced various programmes and initiatives aimed at diversifying
exports and /or improving national competitiveness.

•

The setting up of institutional strengthening projects such as that funded by AusAID

in the fisheries subsector which has put in place fisheries programmes aimed at the
protection of inshore fish and fishery resources from overfishing;

•

Availability of finance from the Development Bank of Samoa and the European
Union Micro-projects to fund new fishing vessels which have contributed to a
substantial increase in exports of fish;

•

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has developed a forestry sector
plan that looks at ways to ration deforestation and encourage reforestation since the
devastation of plantation forests through cyclones and fire a decade ago;

•

Government is encouraging through a policy on the diversification of agricultural
exports from traditional crops to developing other products such as kava, nonu and
other tree/ fruit crops. This is evident by having in place a High Temperature Forced
Air (HTFA) Plant to ensure that overseas market quarantine requirements for

agricultural produce are met by our exporters;

•

Encouragement and promotion of value added products in the manufacturing and
processing sector for agriculture produce a nd also encourage organic farming.

4.3

Key investment related concerns and needs

The current land tenure system in Samoa continues to be a challenge in securing foreign
investment in Samoa. The land ownership system makes it difficult to lease land for tourism,

forestry or extensive farming. Like other island countries in the Pacific region, land is a very
sensitive issue and it has been an area of concern repeatedly brought up by foreign investors
especially in the tourism sector. Foreign investors have often encountered a number of
obstacles in their effort to secure properties for their investment due to arrangements available
for the purchase and lease of customary and freehold land. There is a need for Government to
establish an agency to facilitate negotiations of customary lands on behalf of investors.

Furthermore, the structure of land ownership in Samoa is 80% customary owned, 15% crown

land and 5% is freehold. However, customary land cannot be used for collateral when an
investor requires borrowing funds for investment projects from financial institutions. The
issue of concern is not the availability of the funds from lending institutions but the difficulty
faced by local investors in accessing funds. There is work in progress to initiate a policy related
to land use aimed at supporting private sector investment.

The market access advantages, such as those provided under South Pacific Regional Trade and
Economic Co-operation Agreement (SPARTECA) & the Generalised System of Preferences,

have been a pull factor to some of the manufacturing ventures now in Samoa. The erosion of
these trading preferences due to the multilateral trading arrangements in place is likely to result
in decisions to relocate elsewhere by the foreign investors. This may impact negatively on
employment both within the concerned companies and linkages to the supporting
investments.

Investment in new technology would be beneficial to Samoa in terms of efficiency and faster
production. However, there is a need to evaluate the environment and social impact of these

investments. It is important to note that Samoa’s agricultural sector has largely been based on
traditional methods and practices. Transfer of inappropriate but expensive technology is a
concern to both manufacturer s and business merchants alike.

Interest rates on borrowed funds are sometimes relatively high and this could retard growth in
investment. In addition, the relatively high cost of electricity has discouraged investment in

capital intensive industries. The shortage of skilled labour is one of the main concerns for
labour intensive investment projects because it affects business performance.

4.4

Specific subregional cooperative mechanisms

Samoa is a member of the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) which came
into force in April 2003 and aims at creating a common market for Forum Island Countries
(FICs). It is hoped that this Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will give FICs a stronger foundation
for responding to globalization and universal trade lib eralization as well as encouraging
specialization and greater efficiency in their economies. PICTA is considered a “stepping
stone” to a greater integration of Pacific countries into the world economy and an initial

preparatory step towards more extensive liberalization in the future that will hope to achieve
greater long run benefits. It is hoped that more intra and inter-regional trade would take place
as a result of PICTA. The resulting increase in trade will reflect enhanced efficiency and
improved consumer welfare in the FIC economies, leading hopefully to the overall creation of
jobs.

It is also hoped that the creation of a regional market will encourage increased investment in
FICs. Many FICs currently struggle to attract investment because of their small domestic

markets. However, the opportunity to reach the regional market of 6m people, at zero tariff
rates, may encourage investment that was before, hesitant.

Unfortunately, the level of trade among FICs is low, due to the constraints of geographical
location and poor transport links. Even with the FTA it will be difficult to overcome these
constraints, and by itself the FTA may deliver only marginal benefits to the FICs initially.

The PICTA will provide the FICs with experience in the negotiation and operation of an

FTA, and it will help to create a common basis for the FICs’ negotiations with other trading
partners.The PICTA will be a “training ground” for the FIC economies, ready for further
integration in the future. Businesses will become used to the idea of outside competition, and
governments will have to begin implementing reforms needed in preparation for more
extensive trade liberalization, for example reform of revenue collection systems.

Samoa is party to the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER), which
became effective in October 2002. It is a framework agreement setting out the basis for the

future development of trade relations among all 16 Forum members. Free trade arrangements
between the FICs and Australia and New Zealand will be negotiated at some time in the
future. In the meantime, under PACER, New Zealand and Australia have committed
themselves in funding trade-related programmes to alleviate and improve trading amongst
FICs.

Samoa is a signatory to the SPARTECA which is a non-reciprocal preferential trade
agreement which allows for duty free, unrestricted or concessionary access for virtually all

products originating from the developing island member countries of the Forum to New
Zealand and Australian markets, subject to meeting the  rules of origin criterion.

Samoa is also party to the  Cotonou Agreement which was signed in 2000 to succeed “aid
and trade” agreements of the Lomé Convention nature. Six new members from the Pacific
have changed the regional  balance within the ACP and it is hoped that this will help in airing
the issues and concerns of small island states more forcefully with the EU and in other
international fora. Under this Agreement, the EU is committed to working closely with the

FICs in a number of areas including capacity building and training at the national and regional
level.
The trade preferences permit products ‘originating’ in the ACP states to be exported to
countries of the EU, free of customs duty and other charges. Product coverage includes
special arrangements for agricultural products governed by EU agricultural policies. There are
also Rules of Origin requirements to be met.

As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Samoa may access the EU markets through the
“

Everything But Arms” (EBA) initiative. The other option for Samoa to take is negotiating

economic partnership arrangements with the EU under the Cotonou Agreement on
configuration supported by Samoa.

In the multilateral trading system, Samoa is currently in the process of accession to become a

member of the WTO since April 1998. It has been a long and cumbersome experience.
Progress so far has been highly dependent on the collaborated work at the national level as well
as the much-needed technical assistance and capacity building received from WTO. Since then,
we have seen in September 2003, Cambodia and Nepal, the first LDC countries to become
WTO Members through the accession process. Samoa has been going through this process
since 1998.

Accession of LDCs is given special consideration and is included in the WTO annual plans for

technical assistance. There is also an Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical
Assistance specifically for LDCs in the area of trade development. In addition, United Nations
agencies accord special consideration and privileges to LDCs in the provision of training,
technical capacity building and institutional strengthening programs.

It is also important to note that Samoa, as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), will not
receive the same privileges under WTO as LDCs do. SIDS are not fully recognised by WTO
Members as reflected in the Doha Development Agenda and, as Small Economies these

countries have encountered difficulties in negotiating special and differential treatment under
WTO rules.

The major costs faced by Samoa in this process are the limited financial, technical and
administrative resources.

4.5 Vulnerability
Like other small islands states, Samoa is highly vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices,

it is ecologically fragile and vulnerable to natural disasters such as cyclones which have the
capacity to wipe out the productive capacity of a country in a matter of hours. Re-building
takes up enormous resources. The possible potential areas, which aggravate vulnerability to
poverty in Samoa, are linked to the following economic, political, cultural and other factors.

(i)

A narrow economic base and geographic isolation from markets

(ii)

Customary land tenure system with no clear registration system in place hinder
development of customary lands particularly in rural areas, however, it also ensures

that there is access to land for every member of the extended family.

(iii)

Customary owned land cannot be used as collateral for financing.

(iv)

The onerous social and ceremonial obligations in the extended family, church and
village context of the Faa-Samoa could aggravate poverty of income particularly in
the rural areas,

5.0

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

5.1

Poverty reduction

On a macro scale the per capita GDP, which has been traditionally used as the measure of the
standard of living, has increased to around USD1,200 from USD760 in 1993. On a global
scale the human development achievements based on the vulnerability index continues to
place Samoa under the United Nations category of a Least Developed Country. The
shortcomings of the GDP per capita has led to the increasing use of the Human Development
Index which is constructed from a number of economic, health and education achievement
indicators including life expectancy, real per capita GDP, adult literacy rate and combined

enrolment ratio. In 2003 Samoa ranked 70 out of 175 countries in the Human Development
Index. The strong social indicators such as life expectancy, literacy and access to water, health
and education services have lifted the global ranking of Samoa in contrast to the GDP per
capita measure

The main characteristics of poverty as they apply

in Samoa using available statistics are

discussed as follows:

5.1.1 Definitions of poverty

5.1.1.1 Poverty of Income
Income poverty defines the lack of sufficient income to meet minimum consumption
needs. Relative poverty means living in a considerably worse way relative to other people
in the same society. These poverty concepts are often analysed based on National
household income surveys, which attempt to measure household or individual income or
the extent

of income inequality. The effectiveness of these income-based measures is

limited on account of the special characteristics that are also important for livelihood. In
the case of Samoa such characteristics include the role of subsistence production,
remittances, operations in the cash and non-cash economy and an understanding of the
Samoan traditions and culture.

The latest empirical study to measure poverty in Samoa, was conducted through the Division

of Statistics, Ministry of Finance using the results of the 2002 Household Income Survey. The
study examined absolute poverty using food and basic need poverty lines estimates as well as
relative poverty assessed in terms of the  characteristics of the poorest 20 percent of sample
households

5.1.1.2   Food Poverty Line (FPL)
The FPL identifies households, which cannot afford a basic minimum nutritionally adequate
and palatable diet. Using the data from the 2002 Samoa Household Income and Expenditure

Survey the Food Poverty Line was estimated at ST24.68 per capita per week. The results
showed that around 7.6% percent of households had income/expenditure less than the food
poverty line

5.1.1.3 Basic Need Poverty Line (BNPL)
BNPL identifies households, which cannot afford the basic minimum nutritionally adequate
and palatable diet as well as essentials for life transport, energy (electricity, kerosene and
wood), health, education, water, and housing. Using data from the 2002 Samoa Ho usehold

Income and Expenditure Survey the Basic Needs Poverty Line was estimated at ST37.49 per
capita per week.. The results found that 20.3% of total households had per capita
income/expenditure below the basic needs poverty line.

5.1.1.4 Relative Poverty
The characteristics of the poorest households were analyzed using standardized household

expenditure data. The analysis assumes that household expenditure is for the equal benefit of
all household members, which may not necessarily be so in reality. T he results show a median
total daily expenditure per adult equivalent from standardized data of ST6.12. The
expenditure data in the 2002 HIES suggests that nationally only about 5% of households had
per capita expenditure of less that US$1 a day.

5.1.1.5 Poverty of Opportunities
Poverty of Opportunity is defined as the inability of people to lead the kinds of lives they

aspire to and is based on an underlying idea that more people are denied basic human
opportunities than are denied a minimum income. Poverty of Opportunity can be assessed in
terms of education, health and employment, however, poverty of opportunity can also involve
the denial of opportunities in material well-being, access to markets, job security, political and
social freedoms and other dimensions that are not easy

to quantify.

On account of the peculiarities of the Samoan culture and social practices, the broader
concept of poverty of opportunity including the level of access to and standards of education

and health services, lack of economic assets, social exclusion and political marginalisation, is
considered a more appropriate description of poverty for Samoa.

5.1.1.6 National initiatives:

Improved access to credit through a number of micro-credit schemes by both the
government and non government organizations. Partnerships with international
NGOs have resulted in a scheme that provides low cost housing for low income

families. As well, the Housing Corporation was established to provide assistance for
those that may not have access to financing from the traditional financial institutions.

Increased funding for community development projects such as the building of school
and health facilities, agricultural, livestock and fisheries development, improved water
supplies and community tourism/ecotourism development.

Establishment of a facility to support community projects on natural resource
management

Partnership with ADB to determine a national definition of poverty currently defined

in terms of hardship

5.2

Education and reduction of child mortality

Education at primary level is compulsory but not free and the government is looking at ways
by which it can enforce the associated legislation on compulsory education. There is a 98% net
enrolment ratio for primary education and there is not a marked difference by gender. More
children are staying longer at school and the transition rate to secondary schooling is on the
increase. The Government continues to maintain its strong commitment to education. The

strategy being pursued attempts to resolve limited access to senior secondary education,
inequitable access to quality education, improve the quality of teaching staff and provides
adequate facilities for learning. Samoa is not endowed with many natural resources and
therefore an educated and skilled labour force is considered the most valuable resource for its
development. The availability of skilled human resource to meet the demands of the private
sector is a desired long -term goal.

Teachers are provided the opportunity to pursue a formal degree at the National University of

Samoa and the University of the South Pacific. In-service training and professional

development programs continue and these are expected to elevate teacher status, qualification
and professional skills leading to improved service delivery in education. Furthermore

curriculum and teaching materials will continue to be reviewed and developed further in order
that students have access to quality and relevant teaching resources. Improved education
facilities are another key element of education development. ADB, Japan and the European
Union are supporting the government’s efforts to improve the access to and quality of primary
and secondary education through rehabilitation, expansion and upgrading of schools.
Upgrading will enable the Government to implement a school zoning arrangement that will
contribute to equitable access to education. Institutional strengthening of the Ministry of
Education Sports and Culture has contributed significantly to the availability of sound

management capacity, appropriate structures and supporting systems for the efficient
management and oversight of education development nationwide. There is close cooperation
with the private sector including the church.

A healthy labour force is a pre-requisite for effective and efficient management of the
economy. Government will maintain priority support to the health sector to ensure equal
access to health services by all households. Currently Samoa has health indicators equivalent
to those of some develo ped countries. The under 5 mortality rate (per 1000 live births) has

declined from 42% in 1990 to 26% in 2002. Similarly, infant mortality rate (per 1000 live
births) has gone from 33% in 1990 to 17% in 2000

Health promotion and health prevention remains a key strategic focus. The Government
continues to develop and intensify health promotion and education policies and programs.
Primary health care services will be improved through strengthening primary and secondary
prevention and treatment programs for non-communicable diseases (NCD).

Health services at the community level will be closely targeted. An integrated community
health service has been established. The efficiency and effectiveness of primary, secondary and
promotive service delivery at the community level will be improved through strengthening
planning, management and resource utilisation within the geographic areas of the service. A
mobile clinic is already in service to better serve the rural communities.

5.2.1

National initiatives

The 10 year Strategic Plan (1995-2005) for Education will be reviewed

Government policies on the areas of early childhood education and special education,
areas usually under the jurisdiction of non government organisations are in place as
well as associated development projects to strengthen these partnerships

Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Government on July
29

1994.

Support for NGOs who work in the area of children’s rights, in particular child
protection

An Expanded Programme of Immunisation with a 98% coverage

Partnerships with bilateral and multilateral donors to address the issues of improved
education facilities, updated curricula, improved teacher quality, and improved
children’s health and protection measures.

5.3

Gender equality and empowerment of women

In 1992, Samoa was the first country in the Pacific to ratify the Convention on the
Elimination of all forms of discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on the 25

September

1992. Prior to that the Government had set up a Ministry of Women Affairs which functions
mainly to provide policy and strategic advice and to a lesser extent welfare programmes.

The ratio of girls to boys in primary education is about the same at 95%. At secondary level,
the ratio is higher at 105. It is not possible to determine any gender differences on the basis of
literacy. The share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector is 38% and
the proportion of seats held by women in parliament is only 6%.

5.3.1

National initiatives

A National Policy on Women was prepared in 1999 and has been approved by
Cabinet.

The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women was ratified in
1992 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child was ratified by Samoa in 1994.

Gender awareness training workshops are an integral part of capacity building efforts
by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Social and Community Development as well as
other government departments and civil society.

Affirmative action has been put in place in areas where there is still a lag in women’s

participation such as special scholarships for women in trades at the Samoa
Polytechnic.

5.4

HIV/AIDS and other vector borne diseases

Extensive spread of HIV/AIDS has yet to appear in the Pacific, by November 2000, the
cumulative reported cases for the Pacific island countries and territories reached 3,568 and
1,304 respectively for people with HIV and AIDS; Papua New Guinea accounting for 80% of
the HIV cases and 79% of the AIDS cases. Compared with other parts of the world these

figures might appear insignificant but if measured against the small populations of the Pacific
island countries, the numbers represent a growing problem. While there may be few
confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS, there is the concern that there may be under reporting.
Although data may be limited, health trends indicate that Pacific countries are extremely
vulnerable to HIV/AIDS given the high incidences of STIs . Malaria is unknown in Samoa
and the prevalence rate of Tuberculosis is 22 (per 100,000) people in 2000 and declining. The
proportion of TB cases detected and cured under Direct Observation Treatment System
(DOTS) was 53% and 92% respectively.

5.4.1

National initiatives

Peer education training involving NGOs, schools and youth

A multi-sectoral National AIDS Council was established to coordinate all activities to
do with public education and awareness raising.

Community education advocacy using HIV infected persons and sports role models

5.5 Environment sustainability

The National Environment Management Strategy was adopted in 1992 out of which a number
of policies were developed. Implementation of these policy measures is ongoing. Despite this
relatively strong policy framework a major challenge would be to reverse the loss of
environmental resources. The share of the population with access to safe water continues to
increase although 100% coverage has not yet been achieved.

5.6 Global partnerships for development
A core principle of the MDGs is that human development is a shared responsibility and that

strong partnerships need to be developed to promote a more open and equitable system of
international finance and trade, increase development assistance and enhance commitment o
good governance and development. While the prime responsibility for human development
rests with the individual countries, international partners can support and enhance that
commitment but cannot substitute for it. Through partnerships, there will be added
contribution to new knowledge and ideas along with new technologies and new resources.

As of March 2003, government’s official debt was 54% of GDP having dropped in level

compared to the last quarter of 2002. ODA has increased slightly and continues to remain
fully disbursed at the end of each financial year. There is a good balance of activities being
funded between infrastructural projects and those in the social sectors.

5.6.1

National and regional initiatives

Since the early nineties, the government has been undertaking a reform programme
starting with financial/economic reforms. Public sector reform is work in progress and

noted for the recent realignment of ministries from a total of 26 to 14. Part of the
financial reforms saw the promotion of private sector development as the engine of
growth.

Reforms to foreign direct investment regulations hav e been made with the intention of
facilitating the arrival of new foreign capital and technologies for productive activities;
this has yet to materialise

As part of the process towards economic integration, Samoa has entered into regional
trade agreements through PICTA and PACER. As part of the ACP group,

negotiations are ongoing for new economic partnership arrangements under the
Cotonou Agreement.

Samoa is working towards accession to the WTO.

6.0

EMERGING CONCERNS AND SPECIAL NEEDS

Samoa’s progress ove r the last decade has laid the platform for necessary mechanisms to
implement all its environmental obligations under international and regional environment
conventions since the Barbados Programme of Action in 1994. These include; amendments of
existing legislations (Lands and Environment Act 1989), national environment policies, action
strategies, regulations and management plans which have all contributed to Samoa’s national
efforts of sustainable development and natural resource management. Despite progress over
the years, new concerns have emerged together with imperative issues of special needs that
require immediate assistance from the international community on the sustainable

management, protection and conservation of small island developing states’ natural,
ecological, cultural and human resources. These emerging concerns are seen as the next
stepping stone for Samoa to consider in the coming decade if it is to fully realise a balance
between development and natural resource management.

6.1

Emerging concerns under thematic areas:

6.1.1 Climate Change:

The necessary instruments to combat the impacts of climate change are in place, however
there are emerging issues that need to be addressed, and for which financial assistance to start
the implementation process for these plans is crucial in order to support community
development efforts in sustainable management of their natural and cultural assets /resources.

•

To ensure full participation by communities in the execution of community coastal
adaptation projects based on their management plans, the government needs to find

ways and means for communities to better access funding assistance for micro
projects, that can contribute to communities efforts to sustainable management of
Samoa’s resources.

•

There is an urgent need for technical assistance in terms of resources required for the
development and digitising of maps to better identify vulnerable areas that are highly
impacted by climate change such as; inland floods, watershed areas and land

degradation.

•

There should be more collaborated programmes from all relevant government
agencies that target the impacts of climate change in their sectors.

•

There is a need to review climate change programmes in order to include national
adaptation measures as mitigation measures are not enough to combat climate change.

•

Developed countries through advance technological resources and skills, should
promote more capacity building programmes for SIDS such as Samoa, in terms of
CDM projects on appropriate technology transfer.

6.1.2 Natural and environmental disasters:
Natural and environmental disasters are becoming common phenomena in Samoa ranging
from long periods of droughts to devastating tropical cyclones.

•

National disaster plans need to be reviewed and more emphasis put on mitigation and
readiness. This would ensure the minimisation of the aftermath damages caused by
disaster events.

•

A national disaster management legislation to be the main guide for enforcement of
standards that can reduce damages on natural resources, government and community
assets from impacts of natural and environmental disasters must be developed.

•

There is limited public awareness of natural and environmental disaster issues. There is

an imperative need to start national public awareness and educational campaigns using
the media (television, radio and newspaper), community road-shows and educational
programmes in schools on mitigation and preparedness

6.1.3 Management of waste:
Much progress has been achieved in waste management with the implementation of
programmes such as the national waste management collection covering both the urban and
rural areas, as well as the waste separation project within the main waste disposal area of

Tafaigata Landfill.

•

There is a need for capacity building within MNRE in the preparation and production
of public awareness materials in order that there is continuity in making these available
for educational purposes.

•

Small grant funding assistance if available can help achieve community waste
management projects in the areas of composting, reuse, recycling and waste separation
at source.

•

The progress on waste management, has led to new initiatives that can be
implemented through the development of Type II projects on waste recycling, as there
is a vast amount of waste that can be recycled.

6.1.4 Coastal and marine resources:
In Samoa, people are very much dependent on the coastal and marine resources for their
livelihoods.

•

Population pressures along coastal settlements has led to the increase in reliance on
coastal and marine resources for sustenance and subsistence income and a subsequent
decrease in marine resources and loss of coastal habitat areas for marine organisms to

breed. There is an urgent need to seek funding through appropriate partnership
arrangements to set-up marine protected areas enabling the conservation of coastal
and marine resources.

•

More technical assistance for research or studies on coastal and marine resources is
required which can assist communities in decision making on ways to better manage
their projects and protect coastal and marine resources.

6.1.5 Freshwater resources:
Samoa is endowed with freshwater resources, however the existing remaining freshwater
resources of the country is at a critical level, as seen in the number of dry springs and rivers
seen around the country during drought periods. This issue should be a priority concern for
the government, and all relevant stakeholders to address.

•

Legislation for the protection of watershed areas and public access to water resour ces

needs to be in place, with the MNRE being responsible for its enforcement and
regulation of the utilization of existing freshwater resources.

•

The community to be supported in the implementation of projects to protect and
improve watershed areas and water resources projects such as the planting of trees
along river banks and springs for forest rehabilitation and to stop soil erosion caused
by flooding.

•

Early implementation of the national water resource policy approved by cabinet in
2001, and the establishment of a Water Resource Conservation division within the

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment are key factors to addressing the
current shortage of freshwater supply.

•

Development of the technical capacity to assess and monitor water resources is
essential.

•

There is an urgent need to develop maps of national watershed areas that will enable
the identification of areas that are in a critical condition and requiring emergency
rehabilitation programmes.

•

There is a need to develop appropriate mechanisms to regulate the allocation of water
resources.

6.1.6 Land resources:
The proper utilisation of land resources according to their appropriate capabilities and
vulnerabilities holds the key to future land use management in Samoa, according Samoa’s
Report to the Johannesburg Summit Conference on Sustainable Development in 2002. Little

progress has eventuated over the years with regard to the sustainable management and proper
utilization of land resources due to conflicting issues to do with land ownership especially as
the majority are under customary tenure. Land assessment activities need to be undertaken:

•

Develop and update existing land resource technical maps is for the updating of
information about land resource utilization in Samoa.

•

Identification of areas of land degradation in Samoa, through the development of

maps of areas that are in deteriorating conditions, such as fallow and dry lands.

•

Develop national land use capability plans to assess the mechanisms required for
sustainable land use management in Samoa.

•

Develop a national policy on customary lands to enhance the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment programmes on improving access to land use resources..

•

Conduct an inventory assessment of customary land to find out the percentage of
lands that are currently utilized and those left unused and determine the impact of
customary ownership on such a distribution pattern. The government plays an
important role in developing appropriate mechanisms that should be in place to utilize
customary lands for the benefit of stakeholders

•

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to develop technical databases
on soil types and geology of the islands landscape, based on existing and updated
information on land use maps of Samoa to better find means of addressing issues on
land use in terms of fertile land, wet lands and swampy areas and land degradation.

•

The increased exploitation of land-based resources such as sand, aggregate, gravels and
rocks and sustainable allocation of these land based resources are a concern. The Land
Management Division of MNRE together with relevant stakeholders should look at
establishing mechanisms that can sustain the utilization of these land based resources.

•

The government is to develop innovative ways for funding housing for low income
people through the use of customary lands as collateral.

6.1.7 Energy resources:
It is important that Samoa develops the means of better utilizing existing natural energy
resources available in-country such as solar energy, wind, wave and biomass.

•

The energy sector needs to be all inclusive of a division for sustainable energy,
incorporating climate change programmes. In this way the full potential of
programmes to implement ways of promoting the use of energy resources in Samoa
can be realized and will also avoid duplication of national activities that are similar.

•

Having established a division for sustainable energy and climate change can enable the

collection of data on sustainable energy needs and potential use.

•

There is also a need to promote public awareness programmes on renewable energy
and cost-effective means of saving non-renewable energy use in the homes and work
places.

•

Support to be given to develop small scale pilots project on renewable energy for

selected communities who have an interest in renewable energy and the potential to
manage such projects.

•

Further development of Type II projects on renewable energy is necessary for
sustainable energy management in Samoa.

•

Also the development of CDM projects on renewab le energy can greatly assist Samoa
in technological transfer from developed countries on the best methods used in

utilizing renewable energy resources.

•

To meet the subsistence needs of a communal lifestyle the development of efficient
wood stoves for cooking have the potential for cost effective means to avoid the use
of non-renewable energy.

6.1.8 Tourism resources:

The tourism industry in Samoa has experienced gradual growth over the years supporting

other major sectors of the economy such as agriculture and remittances from Samoan families
overseas.

•

Although tourism contributes significantly to Samoa’s economy the real cost of its
development on the environment has not been fully established. There is a need to
develop research and studies on the impact of tourism at its various levels on the
cultural, social, and ecological implications on Samoa’s environment.

6.1.9 Transport and communication
Transport and communication sectors have seen accelerated progress through the
development of road infrastructure in all of Samoa. As well, the communication network has
reached most villages in the rural areas through the work of the Samoa Tel corporation.

•

There is a need to refine existing roles played by each government ministry in terms of
regulatory and operational functions. The government needs to separate the regulatory
role from the Ministry of Transport, and transfer it to the Planning and Urban

Management Agency (PUMA) of MNRE. This will provide an efficient mobilisation
of existing resources and avoid conflict of interest for one ministry playing both
regulatory and operational role. The PUMA can regulate and monitor the construction
of road infrastructure by conducting preliminary environmental assessments on the
impact of these developments on Samoa’s environment.

•

The Ministry of Transport needs to develop instruments for the determination and
appropriate allocation of transport costs.

•

Information, communication and technology has become one of the priority areas for
Samoa and the application of public awareness and educational programmes is very
much needed to further enhance understanding on the importance of ICT.

6.1.10 Biodiversity resources:
Similar to progress in waste management in Samoa, the biodiversity area has received much

attention over the past decade with the development of relevant instruments to implement the
protection and conservation of biodiversity programmes, such as the National Biodiversity
Strategy Action Plan, the draft National Biodiversity Policy, the draft Bio-prospecting
regulations, the National Environmental Management Strategies for Sustainable Development

in Samoa (NEMS – 1993), and the Lands and Environment Act 1989. Outstanding issues are
as follows:

•

More support for community conservation project initiatives, which are important
indicators of grass root level support for conservation efforts to sustainably use and
manage biodiversity resources.

•

Further assistance is required for the implementation of pilot activities on other
aspects of the NBSAP programme.

•

The development of the National Invasive Species Strategy is a crucial outcome for
the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in its effort to address the
pressing concern on the domination of alien species which has become a major
problem for land owners. Fina ncial support be given to implement pilot projects
identified under the Strategy.

6.1.11 National institutional capacity:
Samoa has taken an exceptional step through its government reforms to address institutional
capacity assessment and needs for all its line ministries, by amalgamating sections from other
government departments into relevant ministries and merging of government departments
into one line ministry that can best utilize existing resources and provide effective services.

•

There is an immediate concern to promote the participation and involvement of
NGOs in sustainable development programmes at the national and community level

and be supported through capacity building.

•

Additional financial assistance is required to implement priority capacity building
needs of the country, such as; technical trainings in the areas of technology, computer
programming and database development.

•

Furthermore, the recognition of integrating environmental consideration into national
economic planning is a critical issue that requires priority attention. The development

of a national policy on economic growth and sustainable development must include
the integration of environmental issues into economic planning.

6.1.12 Science and technology:
Samoa has not progressed well in the area of science and technology due to limited funding
assistance to promote this area, lack of human resources with expertise and the identification
of institutions to develop this area.

•

A national policy on science, technology and sustainable development that will provide
the guidelines for the implementation of activities in scientific research development
in-country, as well as technological initiatives for technology that are appropriate for
Samoa’s environmental context, and can be easily adopted must be developed.

•

The government needs to identify an agency that will be responsible for providing
science and technology development to assist all relevant agencies in achieving
sustainable development programmes of the country.

6.1.13 Human resource development:
The government of Samoa with the assistance of its development partners has have given
priority consideration to the implementation of educational and health programmes as seen in
extensive infrastructural and human resource development. As stated in the WSSD report for
Samoa (2002), the shift in employment structure is in favour of more formal employment
evident in the increasing number of people employed in the formal labour force, as compared
to the decline in the informal employment sector in 1999.

•

There is still a need to develop a national policy on human resources and sustainable

development to provide guidance in achieving Samoa’s national goals of sustainable
development through appropriate natural and human resource management.

•

The growing number of youth school drop-outs is a problem and employment
creation as well as appropriate skills development programmes is crucial to address the
situation.

6.1.14 Implementation, monitoring and review:
Samoa has come along way to achieve some of the objectives set-out in the BPoA 1994,
however some areas require immediate attention as mentioned in the emerging issues
identified in each thematic area.

•

In order to effectively address the emerging issues highlighted, the establishment of
programme evaluation systems for each thematic areas is necessary and would be best
implemented through the development of a national programme of action.

6.2

SPECIAL NEEDS

Samoa’s Plan of Action for the next 10 years, is a reflection of all priority areas of special
needs as outlined in Figure-1 model of a Framework Implementation Plan.

Figure-1 Framework Implementation Programme of Action for Samoa’s BPoA+10

INFORMATION

*Gaps in knowledge

*Information systems

PROGRAMME

OF ACTION

*Community-based

PROJECT FUNDING

*Small grants

*Co-financing

*Type II initiatives

*CDM projects

SUSTAINABLE

OUTCOMES

*Project results

*Performance indicators

*Monitoring & evaluation

CAPACITY BUILDING

*Public awareness

*Pilot projects

Technical training

*Technology transfer

6.2.1. Information

The lesson learnt from previous environmental programmes highlights the limited
information available for decision making and programme planning and implementation. The

huge gap in the types of information needed include legal documents on relevant environment
legislations, review of management plans to cover updated information and technical

information on environmental assessments. In addition, information systems are important
components that need to be in place for information inventories,

Box: 1 Summary on Information Needs for implementation of Samoa’s BPoA+10

Area

Actions

Climate Change:

Information from other sectors, such as health, agriculture, forestry, and
water is essential in determining the implications that climate change and
climate variability can have on these sectors.

Scientific research needs to be developed for Samoa, on areas of climate
variability so that accurate or appropriate information are obtained to
enable better planning and implementation of programmes for climate
change.

Development and application of information systems (data indicators
etc) to support assessments (such as PEAR and EIAs) and decision-
making on settlements and planning.

Natural and environmental
disasters

Early warning information needs to be developed for Samoa on national
actions for preparedness and responds to when disaster strikes.

Review of existing national disaster plans, requires the incorporation of
more information about mitigation and readiness strategies for disaster
management in Samoa.

Strengthened enforcement of early warning/disaster preparedness
information, through development of a disaster management legislation.

Management of waste

Review existing information on waste issues and associated health
problems, to update data and fill in the gaps from previous programmes
to further enhance on-goi ng waste management programmes .

Inventory of waste management information pertaining to
methodologies used in development of resources from waste materials.

Coastal and marine resources

Strengthened scientific research in the areas of coastal and marine
resources to improve productivity and biodiversity of coastal areas in

Samoa.

Freshwater Resources

Development and application of appropriate legislative and institutional
arrangements for the sustainable management of watershed areas and
water resources.

Application of specific information technology for designing maps and
databases of watershed areas and water resource.

Land Resources:

Development of information systems on technical databases, for soil
types and geology of the Samoa landscape.

National inventory of customary land and ownerships

Gathering of existing information to develop land use capability plans.

Application of GIS to map out land use areas of Samoa including areas
of land degradation.

Energy Resources

Promote scientific research studies on the use of renewable energy in
Samoa.

Collect data on sustainable energy needs and potential in Samoa,
identifying different types of renewable energy found in-country.

Tourism Resources

Conduct a national cost-benefit analysis to assess the true cost or impact
of tourism on the environment.

Transport & Communication

Assess existing information on the country’s accessibility to improved
infrastructure

Biodiversity Resources

Develop an information database on traditional knowledge and the
application of traditional conservation methodologies used by Samoan’s
to protect and conserve biological diversity resources

National institutional capacity:

National assessment of existing institutional capacity needs to be
strengthened for a more define and collaborated work between relevant
stakeholders on environment programmes

Science & Technology

Established agencies to conduct scientific research and assessment needs,
providing backstopping information to all relevant stakeholders on the

application of appropriate technology for sustainable development.

Develop a national policy on science, technology and sustainable
development

Human resource development

Gather information to develop strategies on sustainable employment
creation.

Develop a national policy on human resources and sustainable
development

6.2.2 Capacity Building:

Public awareness programmes should fully explore the use of different forms of the media,
such as television (documentaries and TV ads), radio, newspaper, handouts, posters,

pamphlets, road-shows and dramas to communicate sustainable development concepts to all
sectors of society). Workshops and training of stakeholders are crucial aspects of capacity
building to empower people with skills and knowledge on improving ways for sustainable use
and management of resources. A scientific research culture needs to be encouraged to support
scientific understanding and assessments of environmental issues as well as encouraging
appropriate technology transfer that suits Samoa.

Box: 2 Summary on Capacity Building Needs for implementation of Samoa’s
BPoA+10
Area

Actions

Climate Change:

Strengthened capacity building activities in public awareness,
training and education.

Natural and environmental disasters

Promote national public awareness on early warning and
Disasters

preparedness to respond to and recover from

disaster events

Management of waste

Enhance existing capacity in the preparation and production of
public awareness materials, such as educational booklets, video
documentaries, CDs, posters and publications etc.

Encourage Technology Transfer

Coastal and marine resources

Strengthened existing awareness, trainings and educational
programmes on sustainable coastal and marine resource
management.

Freshwater Resources

Promote public awareness and educational programmes on
conservation of watershed areas and the sustainable use of
existing water resources.

Land Resources:

Build capacity of local communities on sustainable land use
management. Develop public awareness focusing on win-win
resolution to address customary land ownership conflicts to
benefit all instead of a minority

Energy Resources

Promote public awareness on renewable energy in Samoa

Support technology transfer and technical trainings.

Tourism Resources

Strengthened community-based sustainable tourism through
building capacity of stakeholders (trainings).

Promote public awareness of eco-and community-based
tourism.

Transport & Communication

Application of ICT for public awareness and education.
Promote technical assistance in trainings

Biodiversity Resources

Promote public awareness on the value of traditional
knowledge and skills in natural resource management.

Enhance awareness on access to genetic resources and its
applications.

National institutional capacity:

Strengthened partnerships between government agencies and
NGO’s on environmental awareness and trainings

Science & Technology

Promote a scientific and technology research culture, to build
specific capacity on advance technology.

Human resource development

Capacity building should be encouraged in all sectors for HRD

6.2.3

Adequate Funding:

Access to adequate financial assistance is very much required when filling information gaps

and the development of up to date information systems. In addition capacity building
programmes can not come into action without funding support to implement planned
programmes. Funding assistance should be encouraged for community-based projects to draw
on local communities’ participation and involvement. Furthermore, Type II initiatives could
be explored, particularly on activities to do with recycling and reuse.

Box: 3 Summary on Funding Needs for implementation of Samoa’s BPoA+10

Climate Change:

Application of small grants to fund and support community
micro projects on the impact of climate change on other
sectors; health, agriculture and fisheries.

Encourage the development of CDM projects

Support development of Type II projects on climate change
adaptation

Natural and environmental disasters

Funding for community-based projects on development of
mechanisms for preparedness to respond to and recover from
disaster events.

Encourage bi-lateral funding to assist communities in
rehabilitation when disaster strikes.

Management of waste

Encourage Type II initiative partnerships between
communities and business sector

Coastal and marine resources

Promote financial assistance from donor agencies through bi-
lateral funds, co-financing or Type II initiatives to assist
community pilot projects and on-going micro projects on the
protection of coastal areas and conserve marine resources.

Freshwater Resources

Encourage funding assistance for community projects around
watershed areas to protect and improved watershed areas and
water resources conditions.

Land Resources:

Adequate financial assistance for land resource programmes
should be promoted through bi-lateral funding, co-financing
and CDM.

Energy Resources

Type II initiatives should be encouraged to develop research
on renewable energy. As well, funding assistance from donor
agencies can support programmes to assess the potential value
of renewable energy resources for Samoa.

Tourism Resources

Strengthened Type II initiatives for community based
sustainable tourism

Transport & Communication

Application of CDM should be encouraged. Support for bi-
lateral assistance is required for the improvement of
community infrastructures.

Biodiversity Resources

Encourage financial assistance such as bi-lateral funding and
co-financing to support the implementation of Samoa’s
Invasive Species Strategies and other components of the
National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP)

National institutional capacity:

Funding assistance for institutional capacity buildings should
be encouraged through bi-lateral funding to assist the
government , NGO’s and other relevant stakeholders

Science & Technology

Bi-lateral, co-financing and type II initiatives can support
science and technology research work in-country.

Human resource development

Strengthened bi-lateral assistance for capacity building in
HRD.

6.2.4

Programme of Action and Implementation +10

In order for Samoa to advance forward on the implementation of its programmes for the
BPoA, it requires enough information, capacity building programmes and adequate funding.
The PoA+10 for Samoa focuses on soft solutions to be implemented by communities,

NGO’s and other relevant stakeholders. The need for information to fill the gaps on
knowledge and established information systems will ensure that enough information has been

assessed for improved decision making, and programme planning. Therefore implementation
plans take an integrated approach of all actions identified in Boxes 1, 2 and 3 for each
thematic areas, under special needs issues on information, capacity building and adequate
funding. The PoA+10 for Samoa emphasizes soft solutions for local communities to play the
leading role in implementation of micro-projects or pilot projects that are easily manageable
by village authorities. Thus, capacity building at this level is very much encouraged, as well as
financial support.

There are other major projects implemented at a large scale, which government capacity can
undertake, such as the upgrading of national infrastructures of the country, and maintenance
of government assets. The application of hard solutions can be the sole responsibility of the
government to identify financial mechanisms to support such development.

6.2.5 Sustainable Outcomes:

•

Development of indicators for improved programme implementation is highly

recommended from the outset, to better assess Samoa’s progress in the next 10 years.

•

Inclusion of monitoring and evaluation programmes should be encouraged for each
thematic area, action plans.

•

Accessibility of stakeholders to information and knowledge network.

•

Increase community capacity to sustainably manage natural resources.

•

Funding mechanisms established for environmental programmes at local and national
levels.

•

Improved collaborated network on information sharing, capacity building and
mobilising financial resources between each thematic areas.

Document Outline