OFFICIAL REMARKS – HONOURABLE TOEOLESULUSULU CEDRIC POSE SALESA SCHUSTER MINISTER FOR NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS SAMOA AND GERMANY INAUGURAL CLIMATE TALKS –[...]

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Faatalofa atu i le paia ma le mamalu ua aofia i lenei faamoemoe.

 Excellency Ms. Katja Keul: Minister of State at the German

Federal Foreign Office

 Talofa and Welcome to our Beautiful Samoa

 Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my honour to join Minister Katja Keul, and all of you at the

beautiful Taumeasina Island Resort for the Climate talks between our two countries.

Samoa acknowledges the leadership and commitment the German

Government has shown over the years with its strong support for

urgent climate actions at international fora such as the UNFCCC

COP. This genuine concern and leadership in the global negotiations reflects positively not only for Samoa but the AOSIS family who are at the forefront of the climate crisis despite contributing minimally to the causes of climate change.

We further acknowledge the German Government with its actions at the national level to reduce GHG emissions by phasing out fossil fuel and investing on mitigation and adaptation actions.

Samoa is especially grateful to the people and the Government of

Germany for walking the talk with actions on climate financing through its increased contributions to the GCF, GEF, the Adaptation

Fund and the recently established Loss and Damage Fund.

Samoa and other Small Island Developing States with special

circumstances are the most vulnerable to rising sea levels,

increased frequency of extreme weather events, as well as slow

onset events and the degradation of our precious natural resources.

These challenges are not just environmental - they affect our

economies, our health, our very way of life as well as our statehood

existence.

So it is comforting to have a strong ally advocating with us at the

global stage for major polluting countries and companies to take

urgent actions to reduce their emissions so our islands states and

people can survive.

Germany has been a steadfast partner in our journey towards

resilience and sustainability. Through initiatives such as the Pacific

NDC based in Fiji, in which German Cooperation is part of the donor agencies, providing support to 14 Pacific Island Countries, including Samoa to support their NDCs implementation by promoting renewable energy, sustainable development, and climate adaptation.

In addition, via the Loss and Damage Project through the

International Climate Initiative of the German Government (IKI). The

BOLD (Building Our Response for Loss and Damage) project is one

of the first loss and damage focused projects in the country and the

Pacific, which will implement for six (6) years.

This project is of high importance to Samoa so we can begin to advance our understanding of, and response to, climate induced loss and damage. Germany has shown its commitment to supporting nations like ours.

In spite our best efforts to build resilience, the rate of damage is

rapidly growing, making it harder to adapt, for many of our

communities, especially with relocating away from coastal climate

risk prone areas where over 70% of the populations reside, to higher and safer grounds. As such, implementing several of the national plans already developed are critical. For this to happen, we continue to advocate for financial mechanisms supporting climate work to be fit for purpose and speedy in their processes and delivery, otherwise by the time they become available, it is often too late.

In Samoa, we are planning and implementing national actions to

build our climate resilience and reduce our carbon footprint through programs, such as:

1. Nature-based solutions including the 3 million tree planting,

and designating 30% of our marine and terrestrial areas for

protection

2. Transforming our energy supply to 70% Renewable

Energy by 2031

3. Transitioning to low carbon technologies such as electric

vehicles, and other energy efficient products

4. Climate proofing critical sectors of the economy such as

tourism, and agriculture

5. Building resilient infrastructure

6. Enhancing our disaster preparedness and response, and

7. Improving data accuracy of our greenhouse gas

inventory and building capacity of local experts.

However, there is still much work to be done.

As we engage in meaningful dialogue for actionable solutions and

strengthened partnerships, let us remember that the fight against

climate change transcends borders and politics. It is a global

challenge that requires a global response. Science tells us that we

can, we can reach the 1.5 global warming target. What we are

experiencing in Samoa and many Pacific island lives, tells us that we

must. We must persevere. We must commit to action and change.

Our actions today will determine the legacy we leave for future

generations.

Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment to tackling the climate crisis with urgency, creativity, and unwavering resolve.

Thank you and Soifua ma ia Manuia

SOURCE - Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism: Samoa

July 19, 2024

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