Strengthening partnerships and development financing are top of the agenda for the Pacific Community Director-General, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, during his visit to Apia, Samoa, this week to meet with government officials, project partners and financial institutions.
Dr Tukuitonga will meet with Samoa’s Prime Minister, the Hon. Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, to deliberate on regional and national development progress and challenges, and the range of scientific and technical assistance provided by the Pacific Community (SPC).
During the week-long official visit, the Director-General is also scheduled to present on the Roadmap for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific.
“It’s timely that Samoa is hosting an international forum on financing because we’re seeing that securing sustainable financing for development is a growing issue for many countries and for regional organisations in the Pacific, including SPC,” Dr Tukuitonga said.
“The World Bank estimates that trillions of dollars will be required to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals over the next 15 years, an amount over and above the existing capacities of governments and international donors.
“The development landscape is changing and it means that SPC, as the region’s principal scientific and technical organisation, must implement fundamental changes to its financial model so we can continue to deliver the services and assistance needed by our members.
“This is an important opportunity to strengthen our engagement with Samoan Government officials, development banks and other stakeholders to review progress, plan future projects and consult one another on the question of financing and the new thinking required,” he said.
Dr Tukuitonga will be accompanied by SPC’s Social Development Division Deputy-Director, Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago Elisara.
Their agenda includes meetings with ministers and senior representatives of the relevant sectors SPC currently engages with, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foresty, Ministry of Health Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture and the Government Statistician.
The schedule also includes meetings with the development partners present in the country.
Media contact:
Lauren Robinson SPC Media Relations Team Leader, [email protected] or +679 337 9250