EU Relations with Samoa

Samoa is a Pacific island nation, consisting of two main volcanic islands, comprising the western half of an archipelago with American Samoa. Traditional culture, called fa’a Samoa, is still strong amongst the 177,000 population.

Samoa has a good level of human development, with high life expectancy and literacy levels. Its economy is based on agricultural exports and worker remittances, alongside light manufacturing and tourism. The main development challenges are to maintain macroeconomic stability while pursuing reforms, especially in private sector development. The islands are also at risk from natural disasters, which could increase with climate change.

Key issues in EU-Samoa relations

The EU has been a partner in Samoa’s development since the 1970s, with initial support in the energy sector and micro-projects gradually shifting to the social and economic infrastructure in rural areas.

Cooperation has increasingly focused on the water sector, extending access and improving system quality. The EU is the major donor in this field, which has been considered a great success, and the current development programme (2008–13), with a total budget of € 31.3 M, continues this specialisation.

€ 25.5 M is being devoted to public health enhancement through a water sector policy support programme. The EU is supporting policies that strengthen water governance, increase access to safe water, and secure basic sanitation and wastewater disposal. This will be done using a sustainable approach to the management of natural resources, and using a well-coordinated, sector-wide approach.

Cooperation will focus on bolstering government capacity to manage its water sector, and the programme funds will be disbursed through budget support. Alongside close monitoring, EU cooperation will make sure that Samoa’s water sector policy is managed in a sustainable and effective way.

Samoa remains vulnerable to natural disasters and its natural resources have degraded in past years. As a partner in the EU–Pacific Strategy, the country is focusing on improving its sustainable management of natural resources and environmental challenges. Support is provided by the EU both bilaterally and through regional forums to help Samoa meet environmental threats.

Latest update: 03-04-2008
Responsible Desk Officers