10 years since graduation: stronger institutions and partnerships
Ambassador Nella Pepe Tavita-Levy is Samoa’s Permanent Representative at the WTO and Coordinator of the African, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) Group in the WTO. She reveals some of the lessons learned from Samoa’s graduation from the Least Developed County (LDC) category.
(WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION Geneva)- In 2024, Samoa is marking its 10th anniversary since graduating from the LDC category.
There are only seven countries that have graduated from the LDC status since the LDC category was established in 1971. And two of them are in the Pacific – Samoa and Vanuatu. This is a remarkable achievement and a good reason to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Samoa’s graduation from LDC status.
Samoa is a small island developing state in the Pacific with about 200,000 people. We were first included in the LDC category in 1971. We were identified for graduation in 1997, and thereafter in 2003, 2006 and 2009. We met two of the graduation criteria, but we remain vulnerable to external shocks. In 2010, the UN General Assembly extended Samoa’s transition period by three years due to the disruption caused by the Pacific Ocean tsunami of 2009. Finally, we graduated from LDC status on 1 January 2014.
Highlight some of the milestones in Samoa’s graduation process;
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ACTIONS THAT SAMOA TOOK IN PREPARING FOR GRADUATION OVER 10 YEARS AGO?
Samoa considered four lines of action for a smooth transition. First, we designed an economic stabilization framework. Second, we formulated a coherent national development strategy. Third, we focused on addressing institutional capacity constraints.
Fourth, we focused on improving aid coordination and aid management. Finally, with regard to trade-related measures, we ensured that transitional periods were included under various bilateral arrangements.
WHAT WAS THE MAIN CHALLENGE WITH ECONOMIC STABILIZATION EFFORTS?
In the four years leading up to graduation, Samoa had to manage increasing fiscal deficit resulting from financial commitments to post-cyclone recovery efforts in 2012. With high public debt levels, we were fortunate to secure 100 per cent grant financing for reconstruction.
Capital investments planned before the cyclone were reprioritized, so more resources for reconstruction efforts were allocated.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LASTING GAINS RESULTING FROM INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING?
Building institutional capacity was an essential component of our transition process. We addressed skills shortages, enhanced project implementation and increased the country’s absorptive capacity. We also strengthened the Samoa Research Institute. It is now recognized as an accredited professional research entity. This achievement will help to encourage and promote investment in research products.
WHAT’S SO UNIQUE ABOUT AID COORDINATION IN SAMOA?
The government of Samoa recognized the importance of aid coordination and aid management, with a view to making aid flows more predictable and programme management more effective.
We launched a revised aid policy in 2015 focusing on planning, security, utilization and monitoring of external resources by a single competent coordinating entity – the Aid Coordination Debt Management Division of the Ministry of Finance. This arrangement further contributed to encouraging partnerships. We ended up signing nine partnership arrangements with key development partners.
WHAT ARE SOME OF SAMOA’S PRIORITIES IN 2024?
Samoa remains a small island developing state with inherent structural challenges, including its distance from major centres of economic activity and its small domestic market. We are vulnerable to climate change and to more frequent and intense natural disasters. Since our graduation 10 years ago, we have continued with our integrated approach to national planning and implementation. We call on our partners to recognize the national systems in place and the need for responsive interventions based on country-driven priorities and interests.
