Samoa’s National Environment Week 2026 is being held from 18 to 22 May under the theme “Local Actions for Global Impact.”
The week is led by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and brings together government agencies, communities, schools, churches, civil society groups, businesses and development partners.
The details were released in a Government of Samoa press release from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The programme has grown from what started more than 30 years ago as National Arbor Day. It now covers a wider range of environmental work, including biodiversity, oceans, land, water, forests, wetlands, climate change, disaster risk management, waste management, meteorology and geoscience.
The week opened on Monday with a keynote address by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Hon. Ale Vena Ale. The opening day also included the launch of the National Environment Learning Center and Media Center.
Monday was also National Biodiversity Day, with competitions and activities involving selected village communities. Primary and secondary school students also took part in an Environment Career Open Day, where they were introduced to the work of the Ministry, partner organisations and local communities.
On Tuesday, the National Environment Forum was scheduled at the Sheraton Hotel. The forum brings together community groups, government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and youth representatives to share experiences from community-led environmental work and discuss resilience at community level.
Wednesday has been set aside for Water, Forests and Wetlands Day at O Le Pupu Pue National Park. The programme includes tree planting, school awareness activities, speech competitions and a tour of the park. Members of the public have been invited to plant at least one tree, take a photo and upload it to the Ministry’s Facebook page as part of Samoa’s three million tree planting campaign.
Thursday will focus on Disaster Risk Management and Waste Management, with activities at Taumeasina Island Resort. Several national documents are expected to be launched, including the Samoa Disaster Risk Management Policy, National Disaster Management Plan, Multi-Hazard Early Warning Roadmap, Disaster Waste Management Plan, ICT Disaster Recovery Plan and the new Tsunami Ready Programme.
Waste management initiatives will also be launched, covering recycling, organic waste composting and household waste segregation. These will involve Tanoaleia community, WREN Pacific Pty Ltd, the Samoa and Tokelau Association of Recyclers, and the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association.
The Ministry’s Plastic Free Policy will also be formally launched on Thursday. Students will tour the Tafaigata Landfill and Vailima Botanical Garden. The day will close with a tsunami drill for the South East Upolu coastal districts of Aleipata, Lepa and Lotofaga.
Friday is Climate Action Day. The day will begin at Fagalii Airport with the launch of new meteorological equipment, before moving to the historic Mulinuu Observatory for a public open day. The observatory was established during the German Administration in 1902 and has been part of Samoa’s meteorological history for more than 120 years.
The second part of Friday’s programme will be held at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in Vailima. It will include the launch of Samoa’s National Adaptation Plan, the Youth and Environment Reference Group, and the Youth and Environment Engagement Framework.
National Environment Week will close with the Friends of the Environment Awards 2026, recognising individuals, organisations and communities for their work in environmental conservation and climate resilience.
All events are open to the public. The Ministry has also confirmed that National Environment Week 2026 is a plastic free event.
This article is based on a press release issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
