Samoa requests the Asian Development Bank’s support of its Response Plan

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo has requested the Asian Development Bank’s support of its Response Plan to a multi-crisis including climate change, drought with strong El Nino and the evolving HIV AIDS health crisis in the Pacific, Samoa

These were among the issues discussed between Mulipola and the ADB Vice President, East and Southeast Asia and President; Mr Scott Morris at the junction of the WBG/IMF 2026 Annual Meeting on Wednesday 13 October 2026.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance acknowledged the continuous support of ADB with Samoa’s national development priorities articulated in the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2027-2031, which includes digital transformation, renewable energy transition, social inclusion education and health development, workforce development to name a few.

The ADB as one of the main development partners in the Joint Policy Action Matrix (JPAM) arrangement and with continuous assistance via general budget support was also acknowledged.

With Samoa’s encountering multi crisis including climate change, drought with strong El Nino and the evolving HIV AIDS health crisis in the Pacific, Samoa requested the Bank’s support on Samoa’s proposed Response Plan.

The State-Owned Enterprises reforms remain a critical area of engagement for ADB in Samoa.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance also ADB’s support to Samoa and the Pacific countries in addressing the challenges with correspondent banking relationship, thus the urgent request to ADB and leverage its international relationship with other members and international institutions to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in responding to the country needs.