Apia, Samoa – Conservation International and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation proudly announce the official launch of Resilient Reefs Pasifika: the SAMOA REEF RESILIENCE HUB, an initiative that aims to strengthen coral reef and community resilience across Samoa.
Launched today in Apia, the SAMOA REEF RESILIENCE HUB is designed to establish adaptive and climate-resilient solutions for coral reef ecosystems and the coastal communities that depend on them. The initiative blends Indigenous and scientific knowledge with local leadership for ocean stewardship.
Conservation International Samoa, a leader in ocean management with deep cultural ties to the sea, has received funding from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to establish the grant facility hub—the first Resilience Hub under the initiative. The SAMOA REEF RESILIENCE HUB will serve as a centre for learning, capacity building, and co-designing resilience strategies for communities across Samoa and the Pacific.
Leausalilo Leilani Duffy, Technical Director at Conservation International Samoa, stated:
“Samoa is the first Pacific Island to be selected by GBRF to establish the Samoa Hub facility that will grant awards to eligible government ministries, Non-Governmental Organizations and Community-based Organizations (civil society groups) to implement projects that support the improvement of healthy coral reef ecosystems for Samoa.”
Kalara McGregor, Director of Pacific Partnerships at the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, said:
“The Resilience Hub model is one of the core components under a wider Resilient Reefs Pasifika initiative – which aims to provide both immediate support and longer-term scaffolding by connecting and resourcing a pipeline of projects and funding. We look forward to embarking on this partnership with Conservation International Samoa to enhance the resilience of coral reefs and their communities.”
The SAMOA REEF RESILIENCE HUB is a collaborative effort between Conservation International and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with support from a local Steering Committee selected for their technical expertise and knowledge. This ensures activities complement existing efforts, avoiding duplication, while grants enhance or scale out coral reef initiatives to improve biodiversity and strengthen reef systems.
The Hub focuses on:
- Enhancing ocean stewardship through partnerships and strengthening local governance with ministries, organizations, and communities
- Merging traditional knowledge with modern science for inclusive approaches to reef management
- Improving reef protection through sustainable practices that withstand climate threats
- Working with SPREP to support delivery of the Pacific Coral Reef Action Plan (PACRAP) 2021–2030
At the official launch, a Terms of Reference was signed between Dr. Seuseu Joseph Tauati, Chairman of the Samoa Reef Resilience Hub Steering Committee and CEO of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Ms. Ana Perez, Director of Resilient Reefs Pasifika at the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. This agreement reinforces a shared commitment to reef health in Samoa.
The Resilient Reefs Pasifika initiative provides Samoa with an opportunity to advance its ocean management and move closer to achieving goals under the 30 by 30 agenda of the Samoa Ocean Strategy 2020–2030. Through collaboration and local empowerment, Samoa’s reefs can be safeguarded for generations to come.
About the author
This article was prepared from the official joint press release issued by Conservation International Samoa and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
