UN General Assembly
2024

Our experience with the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us to be better prepared for global pandemics. Non-communicable diseases are a priority concern and accounts for much of the burden of diseases in Samoa. Chronic NCDs are overtaking communicable diseases as the dominant health problem, and are the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and disability. At the national level - NCDs account for almost half of the deaths and premature deaths at that in Samoa Excellencies, Food security is a priority that requires the transformation of our food system. We must return to locally produced quality fresh foods with less reliance on processed imported foods. As important is the need to address the balance of issues of access, affordability, and convenience against quality and wellbeing. In last May, we met in Antigua and Barbuda for the 4th SIDS Conference where we adopted the ABAS, a ten-year action plan for our sustainable development. SIDS are in the crossfire of multiple crises: climate change, the economic and social repercussions of COVID-19, which many of us still haven’t fully recovered from.