The Samoa Agreement could turn focus on challenges facing the Pacific

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – 14 November 2023: The signing of the historical Samoa Agreement between the Organisation of African Caribbean & Pacific states (OACP) and the European Union (EU) in Apia tomorrow is hailed as a milestone for many reasons.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa says it presents the opportunity to bring the world to the Pacific so they could see and understand first-hand the challenges faced by the people living in the small islands states in Pacific.

Fiame today opened the first of the two days of meetings of the Ministers of the Organisation of African, Caribbean & Pacific states (OACP) and the European Union (EU) and will culminate in the signing of the Samoa Agreement tomorrow.

In a press conference after the closed door meeting, Fiame said the important factor of bringing the event to the Pacific is for the European countries and the world to see and understand where the concerns brought to the discussion table by Pacific leaders originate from.

She said it is important that the well-developed countries with big developmental needs see first-hand what is happening to the Pacific and the small island states, especially the impact of their actions on climate change which is a huge concern for the Pacific countries.

Most of the delegations and members of EU and OACP have never been to the Pacific and are not aware of the challenges faced by the Pacific and Small Island States.

“Their presence here in Samoa as a small island Pacific state gives them a chance to understand and might inspire them to give more assistance to OACP members to mitigate the impact of climate change,” said Fiame.

The Pacific Islands Leaders Forum (PIF) meeting in the Cook Islands last week endorsed the Samoa Agreement.

The 20 year partnership between the European Union and the developing ACP countries is longstanding and the Samoa Agreement replaces the Cotonou Agreement signed in 2000.

“The renewal is basically on events that have developed and are happening so it would be more towards improvement and advancement,” said Fiame.

Sousa Jamba (OACP Media & Public Relations), OACP General Secretary HE George Robelo Pinto Chikoti, & Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa during the press conference.

Preparations for the transition from the Cotonou Agreement to the Samoa Agreement for the next 20 years started in 2018.

There are 79 members of the OACP and according to the General Secretary, His Excellency George Robelo Pinto Chikoti, not all members will sign the Agreement tomorrow.

He said in some countries, the Government of the day makes decisions while some countries have to go through the process of a parliamentary endorsement.

“The Samoa Agreement is open to any member country to sign after 6 months of it being endorsed by OACP members,” he said.

Fiame said the meeting is a collective effort of ACP member countries to put together an agreement and present it to the United Nations conference and other international meetings such as the Convention of Parties on Climate Change.

Although the Samoa Agreement focuses on many issues, Fiame said climate change is an issue high on the agenda of all Pacific islands.

Asked how much emphasis was placed on climate change in the Samoa Agreement, she said there are quite a few issues which include the damages and costs and members have prepared a statement to be presented to the Convention of Parties on Climate Change.

The official signing of the Samoa Agreement takes place tomorrow afternoon – Wednesday 15 November at the Multipurpose Gym, Faleata Sports Complex.