National Workshop to Identify Climate Finance and Climate Smart Agriculture Strategies for Samoa

GOVT. PRESS SECRETARIAT; The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) together with Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Samoa (MAF) with support from the Women in Business Development Inc. (WBDI) are responsible for coordinating and organizing the national workshop to identify Climate Finance Mechanisms and Climate Smart Agriculture Strategies for a Resilient Agriculture in Samoa.

Officially opened this morning at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel room participants from different organizations attending received a warm welcome by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Tilafono David Hunter.

The workshop is designed to discuss, debate and identify two priorities.

The 2 day workshop focuses on engaging local experts and stakeholders.

First to present to and discuss with key national stakeholders the preliminary findings of the draft report of the country case study.

And secondly to identify collectively, recommendations that could ensure better integration of the agriculture sector in the second Samoa NDCs and access to strategic funding mechanisms for climate smart agriculture.
In his opening address, Tilafono touched on the vulnerability of climate change and the change imposed on the sustainable development of small island countries.

“Climate change has become a defining and most challenging sustainable development issue of the 21st century, especially for small island development states like Samoa – one of the least GHG emitters and polluters but one of the most affected, physically, economically and socially,” stressed the MAF Chief Executive.

Group discussions during Day 1 sessions.

“Climate vulnerability underpins Samoa’s development of the agriculture sector and jeopardize the food security of our people. More than 40 percent of Samoa’s population have direct livelihood from agriculture related activities. Hence the urgent need to identify climate smart agriculture strategies and funding mechanisms that can contribute to the resilience of Samoa against climate change.”

This National Workshop will be two days and continues today.