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Samoa

Presented by

Emannuel Etimani

Taumeasina Fomai

Azarel Maiai

ClimSA

Steering Committee 3rd Meeting

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Summary of achievements video

Snapshot

Country

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Status update

National Activities Under ClimSA

# 

Activity Description 

ROG 

Update for this period 

1

User Interface Platforms

🟢 GREEN  

  

  • Pacific Island Climate Outlook 18 (April 2026)
  • Draft Agro-met bulleting for Samoa under review & re-engagement with FAO
  • Initial literature review of DRR/Agriculture needs in Samoa ongoing

2

Provision of climate services

🟠 AMBER 

  • Pending e-station installation & training
  • NTSO recruited and supporting national activities
  • Regional trainings

3

Access to Climate Information

🟢 GREEN  

  • Digitization & Data Rescue Assessment & Training
  • Training on CST with WMO
  • Installation of 4 AWS (Apia, Vailoa, Vaiaata, Vaipouli) + refurbishment of 10 station with sensors and rain gauges
  • Specialized training by Earth Science New Zealand in Christchurch
  • Procurement of buoys completed & deployment to follow starting this month
  • Maintenance & operations vehicle used for site visits and daily collection of data from sites

4

Capacity Enhancement

🟢 GREEN 

  • Masters Programme Kotoni
  • BIP-MT training (2 officers)

5

Communications and knowledge management 

🟢 GREEN  

  

  • Environment Week + Launch of the Screen
  • SEB Assessment on Climate Products
  • App
  • Awareness + Canva

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Work Plan

Planning for Year 6 Implementation

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Description 

Timeline

Summary

1

Deployment of Spotter Buoys in 5 locations in Upolu & Savaii (Mulinuu, Fagaloa, Mulifanua, Salelologa, Lalomanu)

July/Aug/ Sept

Approximately USD 25,000 has been allocated to support the deployment of spotter buoys across five locations. Hands-on training with SOFAR is confirmed for 30 July 2026, with the remaining four sites currently undergoing confirmation in collaboration with local communities, the Samoa Ports Authority, and the Ministry of Fisheries. Deployment activities will commence with community consultations in each area, ensuring local engagement and understanding of the buoys’ importance. This approach aims to strengthen community ownership and safeguard the effective use of the buoys.

2

Data Rescue & Digitization

July/Aug

Data digitization and rescue training is currently underway with mentor Mr. Atish Kumar from Fiji Meteorological Services. This will be followed by peer-to-peer training at the FMS in August (10-17), involving 2 of the SMD staff together including the Digitization Officer recruited under ClimSA. Complementing this, will be online monthly catch-ups with Atish Kumar and WhatsApp group has also been established to support troubleshooting and accelerate the digitization and data rescue efforts of SMD.

3

National Climate Outlook Forums x 3 + Community Observer Officers training for Upolu and Savaii

Aug & Nov

The NCOF scheduled for August (17-21) will adopt a new approach, with the team engaging and meeting directly with stakeholder rather than the traditional approach of inviting 1 or 2 participants to attend NCOF. November (Upolu 10-11 & 17-18), two NCOFs will be held in Upolu and Savaii, focusing on El Niño impacts, outlooks, sustainability, and related themes.

These sessions will be followed by training for community observer officers in Upolu & Savaii, covering practical skills such as reading rainfall using manual raingauges, traditional knowledge data collection, and other technical competencies.

4

BIP-MT Training (Sept)

Kobo Training (Sept)

ENSO Directive Training

Sept/Nov

SMD participant to attend the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technician in Tonga (TBC)

Revitalize the national climate impact dashboard collaborating with SPREP/DMO

A request has been submitted to SPREP for training of the SMD Climate team on SCOPIC, ACCESS, PICASO, and CliDE. The team’s training needs have been identified, and a formal proposal will be prepared for SPREP’s review and approval. This initiative is intended to ensure the sustained provision of technical support for climate products developed with support of the project.

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Work Plan

Planning for Year 6 Implementation

A more detailed WP will be developed for all outputs aligning to regional project

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Other activities include:

    • Support the consultation for DRR and Agriculture Gaps and Needs Assessment during NCOF consultations(July-Oct 2026)
    • A Training Plan for Climate (SMD) has been drafted and will integrate targeted activities. Important to recognize that with new technology (e-station) there is capacity gaps that needs to be address, enhanced and maintain within each meteorological services
    • Collaboration with USP Agriculture students will be explored to support the review and contribution to Climate Bulletins, while Samoa International Fishing Associations will provide input on the Ocean Bulletin.
    • Weather App services will be expanded to connect with Samoa Tourism Discover Samoa App, with discussions already underway.
    • Explore UIPs to be streamlined and integrated through existing mechanisms, including the MHEWS TWG and DAC
    • Finalise ClimSA Samoa Communication Plan for Yr6
    • Installation & training on e-station (decision paper)
    • Develop case studies

NCOF Stakeholders:

    • Ministry of Export
    • Ministry of Agriculture
    • Ministry of Fisheries
    • Ministry of Finance
    • Samoa International Game Fishing Association (SIGFA)
    • Samoa Tourism Authority
    • Samoa Farmers Associations (Upolu & Savaii)
    • Samoa Research Organisation of Samoa
    • Samoa Water Authority
    • Independent Water Supply Association
    • Samoa Fire & Emergency Services Authority
    • Ministry of Health
    • Tautua/Tautai
    • Media
    • Disaster Advisory Committee
    • Samoa Women’s Association of Growers (SWAG) & Women in Business Development
    • District farming associations (Lefaga, Falealii 1 & 2, Fasitoo, Siumu, Mulifanua, Aleisa)
    • University of the South Pacific
    • National University of Samoa
    • Red Cross
    • ADRA
    • Caritas
    • Samoa Shipping Corporation
    • Samoa Shipping Authority
    • Samoa Ports Authority
    • Savaii District Farmers (Asau, Satupaitea, Palauli, Patamea & Paia)
    • Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
    • IPES (Engineers Associations)
    • Insurance Companies (NPI & Samoa Surety Insurance)
    • United Nations Development Programne

Work Plan

Planning for Year 6 Implementation

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Risks

Suggestions for Mitigation

ClimSA Impact does not materialize before project closure

Request a No-Cost Extension for 12 months to ensure all activities are completed and demonstrate the added-value of climate services in sectors and utilizing the El Nino impacts to monitor the effectiveness of systems put in place by the Project

Sustainability of climate products post ClimSA

Through the PREPARE WB investment, Samoa will continue to support training for SMD staff, including competency development for meteorologists, hydrologists, and climatologists. This effort is supported by the MHEWS Technical Working Group, mandated under the Samoa Meteorology Act 2021 to sustain dialogue with partners on early warning systems.

Maintaining engagement with sectors

Mainstream sector engagement by identifying champions in each sector to participate in monthly updates (via Zoom/MS Teams), including live question‑and‑answer sessions for those seeking further information. Co‑design projects with sectors and procure specialists to support the development of bulletins and expedite implementation in close collaboration with SMD and NTSO (decision paper included)

Subscriptions, licenses for e-stations, operation & maintenance of stations/vehicle

Promote a pay‑it‑forward approach for licenses/subscriptions. Operation and maintenance of vehicles through utilizing the budget already allocated for vehicle maintenance to ensure continuity and efficiency.

Fuel crisis continues will increase inflation in procured goods, shipment delays, halt in operations

Advance planning and procurement to minimize delays and reduce direct impacts on ground activities. Encourage SPREP finance and relevant partners to establish systems that can respond effectively to cascading impacts, including flexible and more direct financing mechanisms & suppliers to support immediate deployment and shipment of goods.

Essential technical assessments that were left towards the end of the project but is key to implementation of NCOFs such as ‘needs and gaps’ analysis of DRR/Agriculture sector; impact/best practices; national workshop on the interpretation & application of climate information

Suggest to prioritize these technical assessments to further strengthen the impact of the project with sectors especially with NCOFs

Challenges &

Risk Mitigation

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  • Digitization & Data Rescue (DARE): Train all climate staff to ensure continuity of the work and mainstream responsibilities into job descriptions. Digitized data will be securely stored in a container (procured by project), which will be relocated to the new Meteorology Headquarters at Falelauniu once construction is complete
  • Maintenance & Operations Vehicle – as the vehicle is a replacement, budgets are maintained with government budgets noting the challenge with the current fuel crisis.
  • Utilizing existing mechanisms – like the Disaster Advisory Committee, Mutli-Hazard Early Warning Technical Working Group, Sector Specific engagement & reaching the last mile through the CDCRM Program
  • Cost Recovery Opportunities to be explored for SMD

Sustainability

Planning for

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Decision Paper

  1. Quality Management System (QMS) for Samoa Meteorological Services (Weather and Climate)
  2. Repackage Activity 2.3 to support for Technical Mission by JRC & FMS to Samoa to install, develop tailored products & train SMD
  3. Digitization Training for additional staff in 2027
  4. Request for local Agriculture specialist and Fisheries Scientist to work with SMD to co-develop tailored products
  5. Request for a Cost Recovery Technical study for Samoa Meteorology Division (TBD)

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Open for Questions and Discussion

Q&A

Session

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Thank You