27 May 2026, Apia – Samoa’s ability to monitor weather, track climate trends, and warn communities of approaching hazards received a significant upgrade during Samoa’s National Environment Week, with the formal handover of a comprehensive package of climate and meteorological assets funded by the European Union under the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Programme, implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
The handover ceremony was held at the Samoa Meteorological Division in Apia and was officiated by the Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Honourable Ale Vena Ale, Mr. Nereo Penalver Garcia, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation for the Pacific and the SPREP Director General Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra. Also present were the Chief Executive Officer and Assistant Chief Executive Officers of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, representatives of the Government of Samoa, development partners, and staff of the Samoa Meteorological Division.
More than 200 students participated in the event, which included guided tours of the Meteorological Division’s forecasting and observation facilities, live demonstrations of the new weather stations and monitoring technology, and a shared lunch.
During the official handover, Mr. Garcia explained “The European Union’s investment in climate services across the Pacific is driven by evidence. The cost of climate-related disasters in this region is documented and growing. In 2012, Tropical Cyclone Evan caused damage exceeding USD 210 million in Samoa, equivalent to roughly 30 percent of GDP.”
“The EU’s approach to climate resilience is anchored in a simple principle: better data leads to better decisions, and better decisions save lives,” said Mr. Garcia.
The investment package from ClimSA, valued at approximately USD$695,000.00, included the installation of four new Automatic Weather Stations, with another three currently being set up to extend nationwide coverage. These high-tech stations automatically collect and transmit real-time data on rainfall, temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity, and atmospheric pressure directly to the Samoa Meteorological Division, improving the accuracy and speed of local forecasts and severe weather warnings.
The handover also included the rehabilitation of ten existing weather stations through new sensors and automated rain gauges, the deployment of smart mooring buoys for ocean and marine monitoring, the establishment of a climate and weather mobile application for public access, the installation of a public information billboard, and the provision of a dedicated maintenance vehicle to support the long-term operational sustainability of the assets.
Samoa is already experiencing the effects of a changing climate: hotter days and nights, heavier and more unpredictable rainfall, rising sea levels, and increased coastal flooding and erosion. These conditions threaten agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, community health, and the daily lives of families across the country.
Seventy percent of Samoa’s population lives within one kilometre of the coast, and 80 percent of the country’s 403-kilometre coastline is rated sensitive or highly sensitive to erosion, flooding, and landslides. The annual average fiscal cost of natural disasters in Samoa is estimated at around 1.5 percent of GDP, which is approximately USD$10 million every year.
Receiving the support package on behalf of the Government of Samoa, Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Honourable Ale Vena Ale said, “Today marks another milestone in Samoa’s efforts to improve its meteorological services and ensure that the delivery of early warnings reach the most vulnerable members of our nation. On behalf of the Samoan Government, I extend our sincere appreciation to the European Union for the substantial package of support to Samoa through the Samoa Met Division.”
For everyday Samoans, the benefits of the new infrastructure are direct and immediate, meaning more reliable weather forecasts for fishers heading out to sea, earlier warnings that give families more time to prepare for cyclones, and stronger planning data for villages, businesses, and government agencies.
Beyond the hardware, the ClimSA Programme has also invested in building the human and institutional capacity of the Samoa Meteorological Division. Over the past three years, the programme has supported continuous National Climate Outlook Forums that bring climate scientists together with sectors including agriculture, fisheries, water, health, disaster management, and infrastructure planning. It has also funded specialised meteorological training for staff, data rescue and digitisation of Samoa’s historical climate records, and postgraduate scholarship support to strengthen national climate leadership.
Funded through the European Union under the Intra-ACP ClimSA Programme and implemented by SPREP, the investments are part of a broader regional drive to help Pacific Island nations improve the delivery of climate services and early warning systems.
“Today’s handover demonstrates the value of regional cooperation, donor partnership, and Pacific-led implementation,” said SPREP Director General Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra. “SPREP remains committed to continuing its partnership with Samoa through ongoing regional initiatives and future investments aimed at strengthening forecasting capability, early warning systems, and climate resilience.”
About ClimSA Pacific:
The Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Programme in the Pacific is a transformative initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by SPREP in partnership with the ACP Secretariat. ClimSA Pacific aims to strengthen climate information services, enhance early warning systems, and empower decision-making across key sectors through tailored, actionable climate products. By supporting National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and regional coordination, ClimSA Pacific is building a more resilient and climate-informed Pacific community.
For more information, contact: Patricia Mallam, patriciam@sprep.org