(2 February 2024, 6.00pm)
Executive Director Park – Samoa’s representative on the World Bank Board,
Executive Directors and Alternates,
Vice President, Management Staff of the World Bank, Cabinet Ministers,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening and Talofa lava!
I extend to our esteemed World Bank Guests a warm welcome to Samoa. You have traveled from far and wide experiencing diverse climes to visit some of your constituency offices including our remote corner in the warm Blue Pacific Continent. It is a privilege and a pleasure to host the high-level visit from the World Bank Board of Directors representing 45 member countries.
Your visit is a fitting opportunity to showcase the longstanding World Bank- Samoa partnership of 50 plus years. Your visit has also opened up extended dialogue on the unique challenges for Small Island Developing States as a result of their vulnerabilities – as well as explore a potential investments portfolio in Samoa for which we would welcome your advocacy and support for Bank consideration.
On behalf of the government and the people of Samoa, I acknowledge with appreciation the continuous support of the Bank to ensure we are on track towards achieving sustainable development, through providing climate resilient infrastructure, Agriculture and Health Sector Development, ICT
Digital Development, Private Sector and Civil Society Support and public finance management reforms through capacity and institution building in alignment with our country development strategy.
Your assistance and support have contributed tremendously to achieving our development vision of ‘fostering social harmony, safety and freedom for ALL’’ and resonates well with the Pathway for the Development of Samoa’s theme of “resilience, inclusiveness and sustainability
Photos: Government of Samoa (Eirenei Ariu & Leota Marc Membrere)
Samoa is keen to emphasize iterations of its key messages – that integrating priorities for development in the policy actions under General Budget Support is key to addressing some of the vulnerabilities and challenges of today, as well as improving the livelihood of communities and vulnerable population. We continue to advocate for the use of country systems to the extent possible for aid delivery of funded programs, so that our systems and processes become more responsive and resilient.
I would like to also recognize the support from the World Bank Group Liaison Office in Apia, for facilitating and coordinating the World Bank Group’s engagement with Samoa, through the Ministry the Finance.
Excellencies, we are most appreciative of your decision to include Samoa in your high-level visit which reflects strong person to person links between the World Bank and Samoa and meaningful engagement.
We look forward to greater cooperation, continuing engagement and a strengthened partnership with the Bank in the future to enable the achievement of positive development outcomes and results, as well as scaled up IDA resources for Samoa and the SIDS community. This would be a welcomed outcome for the 4th SIDS conference in the Caribbean in May.
Toast
Before closing, I would like to propose a toast. Please fill up your glasses. Here is to “Shared Prosperity, and a Liveable Planet that is free from Poverty!”
Ia Manuia!
May you have Safe travels as you return to your families and loved ones.