(3rd October 2024; 4pm One UN House, Tuanaimato)
Lau Susuga I le Ta’ita’i o le Sauniga, Reverend Eteuati Tuioti
Lau Afioga I le Sui Palemia, Honourable Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio
Lau Afioga I le Minisita o Galuega, Fela’ua’iga ma Atina’e Tetele, Honourable Olo Fiti Afoa Vaai
Afioga I Minisita o le Kapeneta
Afioga I Ofisa Sili a le Malo
Your Excellency, Ambassador of Japan to Samoa, Senta Keisuke
Members of the Diplomatic corps, UN Resident Coordinator,
Distinguished guests.
Lau Afioga I le Fofoga o le Aso, le Ofisa Sili, lau Afioga Fui Tupa’i Mau Simanu
• Talofa lava, malo le soifua manuia.
• Fa’afetai ua tatou feiloa’i I le alofa ma le agalelei o le Atua I lenei aso.
• It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to mark a significant milestone in Samoa’s path towards sustainable transportation under the Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport (CAP-IT) Project. This initiative, valued at US$15 million for Samoa, is part of the broader Pacific Green Transformation regional project, which is also being deployed in Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Vanuatu.
• We are deeply grateful to our partner, the Government of Japan, for their generous support as the donor for the Pacific Green Transformation.
• As part of this effort, the government ministries will be provided with more than 70 EVs, 53 of which are being transferred today. Dedicated charging stations have been installed at selected government premises, including at the Tuanaimato Bowser site, at both airports and at Mulifanua Wharf (the latter will be solar powered). The project will support maritime transport introducing electrically powered small-vessel transport. Policy support and capacity development for EVs operations is deployed as well.
• Today’s launch of EVs represents a milestone in our journey towards a cleaner and more resilient transportation system in Samoa.
• Transforming the transport sector, one of the largest emitters of GHG in Samoa, is crucial for achieving Samoa’s enhanced NDCs and delivering under the Climate Promise.
• This intervention is a direct contribution to Samoa’s NDC Implementation Road Map and Investment Plan, and the Transport and Infrastructure Sector Plans which focus on developing sustainable and resilient transport systems. The emphasis is placed on reducing emissions, increasing efficiency, and fostering inclusive, accessible transport solutions for all communities.
• The project underscores the importance of comprehensive transport policies that address emission reductions while facilitating economic growth and mobility fostering inclusive transport solutions for all communities across Samoa.
• By transitioning to electric vehicles and building renewable energy infrastructure, Samoa is leading by example the decarbonization efforts in the Pacific, reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, cutting government fleet operational costs, and sets a forward-thinking model for other countries in the region, many of which have already expressed interest in similar initiatives.
• As we hand over these EVs today, let us remind ourselves that green transformation requires collective action and collaboration. No single entity or sector can achieve it alone.
• I am reminded of a beautiful Samoan saying – E lē sua se lolo I se popo e tasi. You can’t make coconut oil from one coconut. The same applies here.
• Partnerships are needed across government, civil society, academia, development partners, the private sector and with Samoa’s communities and citizens to drive innovation, mobilize financing, and implement effective policies and initiatives towards achieving transformation to pave the way for a sustainable, prosperous, just, inclusive and resilient future for Samoa.
• We are privileged here at UNDP to be partnering with dedicated, committed, and passionate individuals.
• On behalf of UNDP, I extend my deep appreciation to the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure as the leader in this project. My sincere thanks to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for your guidance and facilitation. We also appreciate the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for introducing the first charging stations earlier this year. We appreciate the support and cooperation of other public sector partners as well as the private sector. Malo lava fa’afetai.
• None of this would have been possible today without the Government of Japan’s support for this transformative project and their commitment to the green transformation agenda in the Pacific. Thank you.
• Together, we are driving towards a greener, more sustainable future for Samoa, for generations to come.
• Soifua ma ia manuia.
SOURCE – UNDP in Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau & Niue
