Upcoming events

July 11	World Population Day
Aug 12	International Youth Day
Sept 18	Make Noise for the MDGs
Sept 20-22	UN General Assembly and MDG Summit
Oct 16	World Food Day
Oct 17	International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Oct 24	UN Day
Nov 20	Universal Childrens Day
Nov 25	International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Dec 1	World AIDS Day
Dec 5	International Volunteers Day
Dec 10	Human Rights Day

UN and partners uniting to tackle the MDGs

June 16, 2010. APIA - The United Nations System in Samoa have partnered with ANZ Bank, Samoa Rugby Union and the IRB to utilise the power of sports to convey socially responsible messages on development such as the Millennium Development Goals, fair play, teamwork, discipline and tolerance. An initiative to formalise this partnership was the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup MDG Legacy March which was carried out on June 16th and included Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and Japan Rugby Teams, Swimming Squads for the Oceania Swimming Championships, Samoa Netball Association, Judo Olympic Training Centre, 15 primary schools who are a part of the Manuiti Development Programme, Government ministries, NGOs, international and regional organisations. The Prime Minister as chair of the SRU and Prime Minister received the march and delivered a short key note address. Whistles were blown and drums were beaten to launch the Millennium Campaign and to Make Noise for the MDGs. Statement by the Prime Minister, Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi Statement by the UN Representative, Dr Baoping Yang Images from the MDG Legacy March

UN Secretary General's Message for World Meteorological Day, 23rd March

March 23, 2010 - For the past six decades, the World Meteorological Organization's scientific work has spanned disciplines and borders and provided a model of international cooperation. The WMO has provided governments around the world with high quality weather data, climate assessments and forecasting tools so their populations can be better protected. Its work has highlighted the need for global solutions to global challenges such as climate change. On the occasion of this 60th anniversary, I congratulate the WMO for its outstanding service to humanity and pay tribute to its leadership and staff, the Member States that support it, and the thousands of scientists who have contributed to its work. Now, more than ever, the world needs the best scientific information possible to guide the way towards sustainable development.

 Fast Reponse Ignites Hope for a Better Future in Cyclone Ravaged Pacific Paradise

Devastation by Cyclone Pat in Cook Islands

Cook Islands, March 2010 - Shortly after Cyclone Pat tore through one of the Cook Islands' most popular tourist destinations it became clear that quick action to rebuild homes and livelihoods was needed to head off another blow to Aitutaki’s fragile economy. Aitutaki is one of the 15 islands that make up ‘the Cooks’ and increasingly the young and employable are migrating to New Zealand and Australia in search of jobs.

Now there is a real concern that the destruction left by Cyclone Pat will give them one more reason to leave, says Moortaza Jiwanji, leader of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) early recovery team. ‘The eye of the cyclone thundered down one side of the island, then turned around and tore up the other,’ explained Mr Jiwanji. In the cyclone’s wake, 78% of homes and infrastructure lay damaged or completely destroyed and the agriculture sector wiped out. On February 10, 2010, the Prime Minister declared a state of emergency. The Cook Islands Government and humanitarian agencies moved quickly to deliver emergency food, water and shelter, while the UNDP team supported Government to develop a recovery and reconstruction plan aimed at getting people back on their feet as quickly as possible. ‘The focus is on giving people, especially young people, a reason to stay now and in the future,’ said Mr Jiwanji. The Plan, which has already attracted 5.5 NZ dollars worth of backing from the Government of New Zealand, provides a roadmap for quickly repairing damaged homes and incomes through a combination of cash grants and cash for work. Under the scheme, 100 young people will earn the equivalent of a local labourer’s wage to clean-up cyclone debris and repair homes, while the elderly and disabled will have the resources to employ others to rebuild their homes. The scheme aims to inject much needed money into the local economy, allowing people to buy housing materials, food and other essentials. As climate change takes hold, Aitutaki faces the prospect of more furious and frequent cyclones, so the Plan also provides for a review of local building codes, and training for carpenters in disaster resilient building techniques, as well as improving local early warning systems. A second phase of reconstruction will focus on some of the more heavily damaged infrastructure, and on expanding income options for local people. Aitutaki’s world famous lagoon has attracted tourists, TV producers and filmmakers since the 1950s and the tourism sector is well-established—with 90,000 visitors expected annually. ‘The plan looks at ways to expand the financial benefits of tourism beyond the walls of the high-end resorts so that more local people can participate in this part of the economy,’ Mr Jiwanji said. Under the Plan, UNDP will support local entrepreneurs to develop tours for visitors interested in bone fishing, diving, flora and fauna, and traditional remedies and massage. ‘What will make this Plan work now and in the long-run is the incredible commitment I have seen here from the Government to lead the recovery and reconstruction process at the overall planning level, and from the communities to not simply patch themselves up, but to actually build back better,’ he said. ‘The speed with which this Plan was put together and funded, also its forward looking nature, has sent a clear message of hope to people in Aitutaki,’ UNDP Resident Representative Nileema Noble said. ‘There is also a clear opportunity now to build a better Aitutaki, one that is safer and holds more opportunities for young people to establish their lives there,’ she said. ‘And, this is what early recovery is all about – working to establish livelihood options that shorten the humanitarian phase, while also creating opportunities that enable people to be more resilient against future calamities,’ she said.

UN recognizes steps to empower women and calls for sustained political leadership to overcome remaining challenges in Samoa

March 8, 2010-In the lead-up to International Women’s Day on March 8, the United Nations Resident Representative in Samoa, Ms. Nileema Noble, acknowledged the important steps taken by the Government to empower women. “Samoa was the first PacificIsland country to sign the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,” she said, ahead of a two-day summit organized by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development to review progress towards the advancement of women in Samoa. The Government summit, which starts today (March 8) in Apia, brings together national ministries and departments, civil society and the private sector to assess achievements and challenges on Samoa’s National Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women. But, with less than five years to achieve the globally agreed MDG Goals, national commitments on reducing the opportunity gap between men and women in employment, political representation and ownership of assets, remain significant. To meet these challenges sustained and unwavering political leadership is absolutely critical, Ms Noble said, and everyone could reap rewards. “The Samoan economy stands to benefit greatly from the wider participation of women in the workforce and decision making.  United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) studies in Asia-Pacific region have indicated that GDP of a country could increase by 2-4% annually if women’s employment were to increase to 70%,” Ms Noble said.  Women across the Pacific report violence in their homes.  Ms Noble said. “Such violence undermines development and generates instability and it will not be eradicated until all of us – including men and boys – refuse to tolerate it.” UNDP studies show that over 60% of Pacific countries are still without domestic violence laws.  Domestic violence also extracts billions of dollars from national economies because it burdens the health care systems and reduces the productivity of women.   “The challenge now is to remove barriers of discrimination which preclude talented and strong Pacific women from fully realising their human potential.  Over the coming months, the UN system here will expand its technical assistance to the Government to meet national gender equity targets. Last year’s Tsunami has placed an extra burden on many people in Samoa, but especially women. The Early Recovery programme of the UN family is supporting the Government to ease the burden on displaced families, especially women,’ Ms Noble said.     For more information please contact: Elisapeta Kerslake, Communications Associate, ph: (685) 23670, email: elisapeta.kerslake@undp.org

GEC Media Briefing

Jan 2010, Apia - The United Nations in partnership with PIFS, ADB, SPC and the Government of Vanuatu will be hosting a Pacific Conference on the Human Face of the Global Economic Crisis,in Port Vila, from February 10-12, 2010. In the Pacific, only Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and possibly Vanuatu will continue to sustain positive economic growth while other Pacific economies will slow down or contract. It is possible that the full impact of the global economic crisis has not yet been felt in the Pacific.On the positive side, this gives countries a small window of opportunity to put together more thoughtful and effective remedial policies and actions. On the negative side, this may mean that the impacts may be even greater in 2010. To assist the Pacific development community in ensuring awareness of and preparations for the media, a media briefing was conducted for Pacific journalists from Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu via teleconference and video conference. Dr Will Parks (UNICEF) and Laisiasa Tora (ADB) briefed the journalists on the GEC meeting outlining its importance to the Pacific region. According to Dr Will Parks, "the conference is about learning how best to protect the most vulnerable in the Pacific from the current and future economic crises." As one media personnel stated this is a very important meeting and they were glad for the media briefing to absorb the enormity of the situation and the meeting itself. In Samoa, the briefing was well attended by the local media and UN agencies such as WHO, UNDP, FAO and UNESCO. The Pacific Conference on the Human Face of the Global Economic Crisis will bring together more than 200 high level delegates from 16 Pacific Island Countries to discuss issues that the poor and vulnerable are facing in the Pacific. The meeting will discuss ways to mitigate the impact of the crisis on various categories of vulnerable groups - including women and children. Eight member delegations from sixteen Pacific Island Countries will be participating along with 60 development partners, NGOs, private sector and media representatives from the Pacific Region.

UN Month 2009

 

October 2009, Apia - To celebrate UN Day 2009, the Samoa UN Country Team organised a series of activites and events for the month of October. The month started off with the Letter Writing Competition on "Reducing Greenhouse Gases", a joint partnership between the UN and Samoa Post to observe World Post Day on October 9th. One of the winners from the competition was 9 year old, Moanalei Long, a climate change advocate who was a victim of the tsunami disaster. World Food Day was celebrated on October 16th with a variety of display stalls showcasing their local produces, agricultural products and fisheries unit and was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. An MDG Banner was installed infront of the MDG Scoreboard showing Samoa's progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals in 2015. The banner was a joint collaboration between the Government of Samoa and the UN team in Samoa. Throughout the month of October, a Poster Colouring Competition was carried out in Cook Islands and Niue for MDGs. Children from primary and secondary schools competed against each other for the best colouring poster with winning packs provided by the UN. On October 24th, the UN staff, families and friends volunteered at the Red Cross to help the tsunami affected villages. The team was divided into groups based on the tasks required - Building Shelter, Distributing supplies and Cleaning Up. The day was a success for all, with the staff vowing to continue the Tsunami voluntary work every fortnight. UN Day Supplement Samoa Observer Article Images of UN month activities

Samoa Tsunami

15th October,Media Release - How the United Nations is helping to rebuild Samoa with humanitarian and deveopment partners.

Click here for more updates on the tsunami

New UN Resident Coordinator meets Samoa Prime Minister Sept 09 - The United Nations Multi-Country Team serving Samoa, the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau is recently joined by their new UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Nileema Noble who is also the Resident Representative for the Samoa UNDP Multi-Country Office. Ms Noble had the great honor to present her letter of credentials to the Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi on Friday, September 4th. According to the Prime Minister, " The Government of Samoa always values the UN system's development support to Samoa and looks forward to continuing this partnership focusing specifically on increasing the voice of Samoa and the Pacific on climate change issues globally"......click here for more

UNDAF