[Press-releases] Press Release - Samoan PM launches two Pacific organic projects

[Rosita Hoffmann]

Press Release

 

Samoan PM launches two Pacific organic projects 

 

Friday, 9 November 2007, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), CRGA 37, Apia, Samoa - 'Organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organism from the smallest in the soil to human beings,' were the opening words of Samoa Prime Minister, the Honourable Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi at the function held the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum for the launch of two Pacific organic projects last Wednesday.

 

These two projects include 'building capacities on certification of organic agriculture in the Pacific' as well as the 'development of regional organic standards and a strategy for organic agriculture in the Pacific Island countries and territories both funded by the UN agency IFAD - International Fund for Agriculture Developments. The first project is implemented by IFOAM - the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement - and the Women in Business Development Samoa. The second is implemented by SPC, under its Land Resource Division.

 

Samoa's Prime Minister was invited to launch these projects in his capacity as Chairman of the Pacific High Level Organic Steering Committee. His personal commitment and interest for organic farming made him a natural leader for such projects. Other Pacific leaders have been asked to be part of this high level committee as well as heads of a number of regional and international institutions.

 

The regional Organic Task Force for the Pacific involves leading individuals in the field of organics mainly from civil societies and government. They are to develop the Pacific's own standards. USP School of Agriculture and Food Technologies have been closely engaged in this process.

 

At the recent Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Tonga, a communiqué was endorsed calling for SPC to develop a new agriculture and forestry initiative, including atoll agriculture, under the Pacific Plan's sustainable development pillar. SPC was also asked to jointly develop NSDS-based agriculture and forestry policies with a plan of action 

 

After the formal launch of these two projects, CRGA delegates, agriculture representatives and other guests were invited to a special table loaded with Organically Certified Food prepared by Women in Business Development Samoa for your pleasure.

 

Caption for the photograph:

 

Photo: Prime Minister of Samoa, the Honourable Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, launched the Pacific organic projects at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.

 

For more information, contact Rosita Hoffmann, SPC Communications and Public Relations Adviser, via email: RositaH at spc.int or by phone: +685 7222324.

 

Background information:

 

The guiding principles of organic agriculture are:

 

*	Health - sustain and enhance the half of the soil, plants, animal, human and planets as one and indivisible 
*	Ecology - should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them
*	Fairness - should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to common environment and life opportunities
*	Care - Should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of the current and future generation and the environment

SPC's governing council is the Conference of the Pacific Community, which meets every two years. In years when the Conference does not meet, the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA - a committee of the Conference) is empowered to make decisions. The Government of Samoa is hosting the 2007 meetings of the SPC governing body in Apia: the 37th Meeting of CRGA (7-9 November 2007) and the 5th Conference of the Pacific Community (12-13 November 2007). The 5th Conference is also the 60th Anniversary Conference of SPC, as 2007 marks SPC's 60th year of service to the Pacific region.

 

SPC member countries and territories: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji Islands, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States of America, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.

 

 

   

 

 

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