Samoan young entrepreneurs are meeting in Savai’i
today to explore the role they can play in strengthening ethics, internal business control
mechanisms and compliance in their local businesses.
Supported by the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, the
workshop is part of a series of integrity-strengthening efforts led by the Samoa Chamber of
Commerce & Industry (SCCI) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Samoa Multi-
Country Office (MCO). The UN-PRAC Project is a joint initiative by the United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji.
Today’s Salelologa, Savai’i workshop is the first of three workshops for Samoan young
entrepreneurs and young people intending to start their own businesses. Further
workshops are scheduled for 29 September in Asau, Savai’i and 8 October in Apia, Upolu.
“Corruption can have a devastating impact on local businesses, arguably now more than
ever during COVID-19, and this training offers advice on how to protect your business from
corrupt practices that young people and other Samoan entrepreneurs identified they were
confronting,” said Christina Mualia, Assistant Resident Representative – Governance, UNDP
Samoa MCO.
“Corruption hinders entrepreneurship and innovation in society. In this training, we are
opening an important dialogue with existing and potential young entrepreneurs in Samoa
on how they can do business with integrity. Opting for clear values and strong ethics can
only raise the impact of their businesses in the market and bring more investors,” said
regional UNDP Anti-Corruption Adviser, Sonja Stefanovska-Trajanoska.
“This youth entrepreneurs workshop offers practical guidance on what constitutes
corruption in Samoa, what laws and institutions are used to prevent and fight corruption,
and who you can ask for help, in line with international best practices found in the United
Nations Convention against Corruption, and Sustainable Development Goal 16,” said
regional UNODC Anti-Corruption Adviser, Marie Pegie Cauchois.
SCCI, UNDP Samoa MCO and UN-PRAC have already worked together to produce a
Business Integrity Toolkit for Young Entrepreneurs, which was developed after
consultations with local youth entrepreneurs on how to safeguard their businesses and not
fall prey to corruption risks.
“Young entrepreneurs already contribute positively to the community, but they can play a
key role in tackling corruption and building business integrity as the country strengthens its
economy and tackles COVID-19. SCCI is delighted to be collaborating with UN-PRAC and
the UNDP Samoa MCO to create awareness on early detection and prevention of toxic

conditions like corruption,” said Lemauga Hobart Vaai, Chief Executive Officer, Samoa
Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
UN-PRAC has also undertaken integrity strengthening with young entrepreneurs in Fiji,
Solomon Islands and Palau. Similar trainings will also be carried out in Niue.
The UN-PRAC Project is a joint initiative by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supported by the New
Zealand Government. The Samoa MCO works closely with the governments of Cook
Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau as well as Non-Government Organizations on
development programmes in the areas of Democratic Governance, Sustainable
Livelihoods/Poverty Reduction, Crisis Prevention & Recovery, Environment and Energy and
Gender Mainstreaming.