SAMOA wants the Global Environment Facility Assembly to simplify and expand climate and environmental financing for small island states, saying current access procedures are too complex and costly for countries racing to meet 2030 targets.
Delivering Samoa’s statement at the 8th GEF Assembly at Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Associate Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Taufua Edmund Taufua said the last five years of the decade were critical for island nations facing rising climate risks.
“For Small Island Developing States such as Samoa, this sprint is not only about meeting global targets, it is about safeguarding our people, our ecosystems, and our future,” he said.
Taufua said Samoa’s priorities include climate resilience, biodiversity protection, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.
He said the government is working to integrate climate adaptation and loss and damage across all sectors and to protect forests, coral reefs, marine ecosystems, watersheds, and endangered species.
“Samoa, though a negligible contributor to global emissions, intends to keep pushing low-carbon development.
“While Samoa’s contribution to global emissions is negligible, we remain committed to demonstrating leadership by expanding renewable energy, reducing transport emissions, and advancing a low-carbon economy.”
The minister said Samoa still faces limited capacity, increasing adaptation costs, and complex access procedures for climate and environmental financing.
As talks on GEF-9 continue, Samoa wants “increased and simplified financing for SIDS,” stronger support for adaptation and locally led solutions, greater investment in environmental data and research, and deeper partnerships to speed implementation.
“The last sprint towards 2030 requires urgency, solidarity, and meaningful partnerships that ensure no country is left behind.”
