The National Environment Week will be commemorated from the 6th – 10th November 2023, on
the theme "Louder Actions to Build Back our Environment and Climate Resilience". The event
celebrates the importance of our natural resources and environment, highlighting our efforts to
date and innovative ways to enhance the protection and restoration of ecosystems
The Official Opening of the week-long celebration will be held at the Samoa Arts and Culture
Centre at the Ministry of Education and Culture Compound at Malifa. The Hon. Minister for
Natural Resources and Environment, Afioga Toeolesulusulu Cedric Pose Salesa Schuster will
deliver the Official Keynote Address to Open the Week’s Events and officially launch:
 National Waste Clean-up Week to collect plastic bottles, electronic waste and bulky
wastes;
 National Tree Planting Week – Plant a tree today for a better tomorrow as part of the
National 3 million tree planning campaign
 Samoa’s Biennial Update Report to the United Nations Framework Convention to
Climate Change
 Samoa’s Fourth National Report to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
 Puipaa Mangrove Ecosystem Conservation Plan
 Marine Spatial Plan Phase 2 Report
 Awareness Bill Boards
 Guardians Environmental Programme Modules
 MOU with the Monash University – Global Immersion Guarantee Program
The line-up of events, will officially kick off with the commemoration of the National
Biodiversity Day after the official opening ceremony, with six communities participating in
promoting key species of conservation interest such as Samoa’s Manumea bird, butterflies, coral
reefs, mangroves, turtles and so forth. Participating communities include Tafatafa ma Matavai,
Faleaseela, Fusi Saoluafata, Magiagi ma Matautu Lefaga.
Day Two on Tuesday 7 th November, will see 3 parallel events targeting 14 schools (Years 9 and
10) on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene related issues at the Taumeasina Hotel from 9am to 12pm;
communities, government stakeholders and civil society will hold discussions on regulation of
soil and land resource developments including spatial planning and surveying at the EFKS Youth
Hall at Sogi from 9am to 12pm. At 4pm, songs and poems on the importance of renewable
energy towards a clean and green Samoa will be performed at the Friendship Park. All are
welcomed to attend.
On Wednesday 08 th November, focus will be on Tree Planting as a national tree planting day for
all of Samoa to take part in. Members of the public are advised that tree planting hubs will be set
up around Upolu at the Malololelei BioPark, Methodist Reserve at Afiamalu and Togitogiga Ole
Pupu Pue National Park and Vaipoli, Savaii. For Upolu, seedlings can be collected at no cost
from our Forestry nurseries at Vailima and Togitogiga or at Malaefatu Park in Sogi for Monday

and Tuesday only from 9am to 5pm. For Savaii, seedlings can be collected from Maota and
Asau Forestry Nurseries or at the Salelologa market on Monday and Tuesday only from 9am to
5pm. A special recognition program will be held in Savaii to recognize the contribution of
districts and communities towards three million tree planting campaign.
Day 4 Thursday 09 th November, convenes Climate Action partners including our children and
youth representatives, community leaders, and the private sector to share experiences and views
on how Samoa can upscale and advance efforts to combat impacts of climate change. The
program will also feature Samoa’s preparations for the upcoming COP28 in Dubai later this year
and current work as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
A tsunami drill is scheduled to take place at 2pm for the Apia Urban Area to test existing
Multihazard Early Warning Systems and safety routes in the event of tsunami. Five sirens
recently installed in the Vaisigano Catchment area, SFESA and SPA sirens will be used for the
drill exercise.
Day 5 Friday 10 th November will include community consultations with Fagaloa and Lotofaga in
preparation for the designation of Vaipu swamp conservation area as Samoa’s third Ramsar Site
at the Samoa Convention Center at Sogi. The National Environment Forum, this year will
feature 3 panels from a diverse group of speakers from our communities, private sector, civil
society, academia and theological college, to share insights on issues pertaining to Samoa’s
biodiversity specifically on building back our environment, unlocking waste to / and renewable
energy potential and climate change and disaster resilience at the Taumeasina Resort from
8.30am to 2pm. Two speakers from American Samoa will be joining the Forum this year,
building on the ATOA O SAMOA platform for environment, climate and disaster resilience.
The National Environment Awards will officially conclude the week at the Taumeasina Island
Resort with more than twenty awards to be given out to selected individuals/communities and /
or organizations for their outstanding contribution and service to protecting and conserving the
environment and enhancing Samoa’s climate and disaster resilience.
For more information on the National Environment Week 2023 commemorations, please contact
Theresa Fidow, Communications Focal Point on 67200 or email theresa.fidow@mnre.gov.ws .