More than 60 representatives from Samoa and experts from
around the world will gather in Apia on 8 to 9 May 2024 to take part in a Consultation
and Capacity Development Workshop on a National Data Governance Framework in
Samoa. The representatives will primarily be from Samoa Government offices and
agencies, but joined by others from church groups, civil society, the private sector,
NGOs, international organizations, and international governments. This Workshop will
leverage the expertise and experiences of these participants, to share best practices
and challenges in data governance – and to put their minds together to think about how
to move forward in Samoa.
In today's digital age, data has become the lifeblood of our society, driving innovation,
shaping economies, and transforming industries. Honorable Toelupe. P Onesemo,
Minister for Communications and IT, Samoa. As we embark on this workshop on Data
Governance, the Government of Samoa, recognize the importance of data as a
strategic asset that must be managed and protected with the utmost care and
responsibility.
With strong foundations in digital governance, Samoa is well-placed to move forward in
further developing it strategies for data governance and increased efficiencies in public
services.
“Data is an indispensable part of e-government…Indeed, data are integral to every
sector and function of government. Many institutions would find it difficult, if not
impossible, to function effectively without data”, said Mr. Juwang Zhu, Director of UN
DESA’s Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government, “A national data
governance framework is therefore critical.”
About the Workshop
The workshop is co-organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the Ministry of Communications and Information
Technology (MCIT) of the Government of Samoa.
It is being undertaken as part of the activities with Samoa, in a project run by UN DESA,
supported by the UN Peace and Development Fund 2030 Agenda Sub-fund, entitled

“Developing institutional capacities for digital data management and cooperation to
advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals”, to support developing
countries to assess key data management and governance challenges and strengthen
government officials’ and stakeholders’ knowledge of sound and secure data
management. This project seeks to address existing challenges and gaps in digital data
management and cooperation, focusing on enhancing the institutional capacities of
countries to utilize, manage and govern data in a comprehensive, objective and
evidence-based manner.
Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/samoamcit
Media Contacts
For media inquiries, please contact:
 Lefaoalii Unutoa Auelua-Fonoti Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Chief
Cybersecurity Officer, Ministry of Communications, and Information Technology
of Samoa – r.aiolupotea@mcit.gov.ws
 Wai Min Kwok, Senior Governance and Public Administration Officer, Division for
Public Institutions and Digital Government, United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs – kwok@un.org