INTRODUCTION

Samoa has over 15 years association with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), contributing over 60% of all international funding for environmental management.

Today, 2008, Samoa has submitted 5 major national proposals and is likely to be the recipient of 4-5 regional GEF-funded projects.

Samoa's Country Priorities were prepared and submitted by 15th October, 2007, for the synthesis required for GEF Pacific Alliance of Sustainability, GEF-PAS or G-PAS.

By 30th November, 2007, Samoa received tentative results from this synthesis which took into account all proposals from all 15 Pacific Island Countries (PICs), both national and regional projects.

A final decision was to be made on 5th December at the UNFCCC Meeting in Bali at a special G-PAS Side Event, attended by the G-PAS Operational Focal Point, Tuuu Dr. Ieti Taulealo and the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE).

The outcome from this deliberation will be posted on this blog in due course.

However, for the benefit of all G-PAS stakeholders in Samoa, the following Country Priorities will be presented, together with the additional information required by the G-PAS.

Final approval for the recommended proposals will be made at the GEF Council Meeting in April, 2008, the CEO of G-PAS having then the authority to approve and administer all chosen priority projects.