Official Remarks
Honourable Toeolesulusulu Cedric Pose Salesa Schuster
Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Lands
Samoa and Germany Inaugural Climate Talks – Tuesday, 9th July 2024
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 reflect 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 in 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 island 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 be implemented for six 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 of 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 is 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:
- Nature-based solutions including the 3 million tree planting, and designating 30% of our marine and terrestrial areas for protection
- Transforming our energy supply to 70% renewable energy by 2031
- Transitioning to low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles, and other energy-efficient products
- Climate-proofing critical sectors of the economy such as tourism, and agriculture
- Building resilient infrastructure
- Enhancing our disaster preparedness and response, and
- Improving data accuracy of our greenhouse gas inventory and building the 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 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.
