Population Action plan launched

By Ioana Tupa'i 22 December 2017, 12:00AM

The Ministry of Finance launched the Samoa Population Action Plan 2017-2021 at the Central Bank of Samoa conference room on Thursday.

The four-year plan is a tool to integrate population issues and concerns into the national planning process.

The plan was launched by the Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti.

He said the purpose of this Action Plan was to develop a response to growing concern of resource availability not keeping with up the fluctuation in Samoa’s population.

“The basic initiative of this action plan is taking into account population issues when researching and formulating national policies and development priorities,” Sili said.

“The vision for this action plan is ‘Sustainable population development through improving the quality of life for the people of Samoa’ which expresses the aspiration of the Samoan people.

“The National Population Action Plan is directed towards government and non-government agencies, particularly those concerned with policy making and development functions.”

Sili said the emphasis for this document is “action”, a sharp focus and precise actions to be taken across a number of sectors as part of Government’s coordination agenda. 

“The issues are pressing and the achievement of this Action Plan’s Goals and realization of its outcome are integral to improving Samoa’s overall social and economic development.

“Key areas for attention of this action plan are fertility, Samoa population growth trends and age structures are determined mainly by the dynamics of fertility and international migration and their interactions.”

The action plan has eight goals with specific outcomes clearly stating the importance and the significance of achieving each goal.

Sili says there is no doubt there will be challenges and uncertainties in its implementation, but with the roadmap in the action plan, Samoa should be able to navigate this agenda with a greater degree of confidence.

“I am confident that its successful implementation will raise the quality of life of our people and will also assist our Government to achieve our agreed 2030 outcomes.”

Sili acknowledged the support of all stakeholders and sectors and the U.N.F.P.A. for the financial assistance.

By Ioana Tupa'i 22 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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