Press Releases
Grant Assistance to the Independent State of Samoa: Signing and Exchange of Notes on “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Equipment related to the development of underground water resources)”
On December 5, in Apia, the capital of the Independent State of Samoa, H.E. Mr. SENDA Keisuke, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Independent State of Samoa, and Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Independent State of Samoa signed and exchanged notes for “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Equipment related to the development of underground water resources)” (project up to 390 million yen).
- This cooperation aims at strengthening their capacity for developing underground water sources by providing equipment such as deep well drilling machines to the Samoa Water Authority. It is expected to contribute to addressing the extremely fundamental and urgent needs of human security to secure drinking water and water for daily life.
- In the “Leaders’ Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held on July 18, Japan has announced “People-Centered Development” and “Climate Change and Disasters” as priority areas of cooperation, and this cooperation embodies the Plan.
The Independent State of Samoa covers 2,830 square kilometers and has a population of 225,681 (2023, World Bank). It has a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$4,020 (2023, World Bank).
On July 18, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was co-chaired by Prime Minister KISHIDA and Prime Minister BROWN of the Cook Islands, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The Meeting was attended by the leaders and representatives of 19 countries, regions and regional organization including Japan, 14 Pacific Island countries, two French overseas collectivities, Australia, and New Zealand, and the chair of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Prime Minister Fiame represented the Independent State of Samoa.
The Government of Japan announced Japan’s commitment to continue its robust development assistance and support for more than 6,500 people-to-people exchanges as well as human resource development over the next three years based on the seven priority areas of cooperation which are in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent or “2050 Strategy" of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): (1) Political Leadership and Regionalism, (2) People-Centered Development, (3) Peace and Security, (4) Resource and Economic Development, (5) Climate Change and Disasters, (6) Ocean and Environment, (7) Technology and Connectivity.