Press release: Seminar for Members of Parliament: The Role of Parliament in promoting the Strategy for Development of Samoa & Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 22 – 23 August 2018

Photo: UNDP/Aye_R Photography

A two-day seminar aimed at recognising and promoting the significant role that Members of Parliament (MPs) play in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be held in Samoa on the 22 – 23 August, at Taumeasina Island Resort.

The Seminar: The Role of Parliament in promoting the Strategy for Development of Samoa & Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is part of a briefing programme for MPs, organised and facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women, Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly (OCLA), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Government of Japan.

The core parliamentary roles of law-making, budgeting, oversight and representation of constituency interests are all critical to the full implementation of the SDGs.

The objective of this seminar is to provide an overview of the SDGs and why they are relevant to parliamentarians, demonstrating that almost all the issues that come before Parliament for consideration concern the SDGs and its realization in Samoa.

In addition, the seminar aims to provide an overview of how Samoa has translated and operationalised the SDGs through national plans, policies and strategies; and discuss specific methods and tools that are being used by parliaments and parliamentarians around the world to actively deliver results for the people whom they represent and also in support of the SDGs implementation. 

The Honourable Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, Hon Leaupepe Taimaaiono Toleafoa Faafisi, also announced plans for more similar briefing programmes for MPs:

“This Seminar is the first of seven (7) seminars or briefing programmes designed and scheduled for the MPs over a period of eighteen (18) months from 2018 to 2019”, said Hon. Faafisi.

“The seminar has been designed with the objective of ‘improving the understanding of MPs about the SDGs, the link of Parliament’s work with global, regional and national policies, and to encourage a push for a more gender-sensitive agenda under the SDGs, and alignment to national plans, policies and local community development priorities’.”

He added, “The remaining briefing topics will be informed through the evaluation and feedback process of the first seven briefing sessions and we’re very appreciative of the role our development partners in UNDP and UN Women have played in organising this Seminar.”

MP Ali’imalemanu Alofa Tu’uau. Photo: UNDP/Aye_R Photography

The Briefing Topics are further intended to encourage the MPs to think about how they can facilitate and be inclusive in the initiation and formulation of relevant national policies, resource allocation, and programs for the achievement of the SDGs. It is also intended to encourage MPs to consider gender equality in their work and decision making.

Noting the advancement in development and in the promotion of gender equality in Samoa, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for Samoa, Ms Simona Marinescu highlighted that more efforts are needed to break barriers. 

“Samoa has made significant advances in development and in promoting gender equality. Women now hold five of the 50 seats in the national parliament – equating to the 10 per cent required as a result of the 2013 Constitutional Amendment,” said Marinescu.

“In the 2016 general election a record of 24 women stood for election, which was a 300% increase from the previous election.”

“However, despite advances, there remain enduring systemic and practical barriers that prevent women from engaging in political leadership. Barriers include limited pathways into political leadership; perceptions about women’s roles; financial constraints; gaps in civic education and awareness; and the need for broader support for inclusivity,” said Marinescu.

The Seminar for MPs is a joint initiative of the UNDP-UN Women Joint ‘Women in Leadership Samoa (WILS) Project’ and the UNDP Pacific Office (Fiji) Strengthening Legislatures in the Pacific Island Countries Project (SLIP). WILS is funded by the Government of Australia (through DFAT) and SLIP is funded by the Government of Japan.