LocationsMNRE and UNDP Launch Samoa's Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) National Inception Workshop on Biodiversity Finance
November 16, 2025
UNDP and MNRE launching the BIOFIN Initiative in Samoa.
Apia, SAMOA — The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), convened the National Inception Workshop on Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) on 12 November 2025 at the Lava Hotel in Apia. The event marked the formal launch of Samoa’s participation in the global BIOFIN Programme.
The workshop brought together more than 60 representatives from government ministries, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the private sector, and community partners. This broad participation reflects Samoa’s strong national commitment to advancing biodiversity finance and promoting the sustainable management of its natural resources.
As one of the most climate-vulnerable Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Samoa’s economy, livelihoods, and cultural heritage are deeply connected to its biodiversity. The BIOFIN initiative provides a strategic platform to strengthen financial mechanisms that support biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management, aligning with Samoa’s national development and climate resilience priorities.
Through the BIOFIN Programme, Samoa will develop its first National Biodiversity Finance Plan (NBFP)—a framework aimed at mobilizing additional financial resources, improving policy coherence, and reducing harmful subsidies that negatively affect biodiversity. This initiative directly supports the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 19, which emphasizes the mobilization of financial resources for biodiversity protection and sustainable management.
The key outcomes of the workshop included:
A shared understanding of the BIOFIN methodology, objectives, and expected results;
Confirmation of the National Biodiversity Finance Working Group as the advisory and coordination mechanism for BIOFIN implementation;
Validation of the 2025–2026 work plan and budget; and
Agreement on governance, monitoring, and gender-inclusive participation frameworks.
“For the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the landscape of work is incredibly diverse and highly complex,” said MNRE CEO, Lealaisalanoa Frances Brown Reupena, in her remarks. She explained that this work covers Samoa’s natural environment, built environment and climate change. “In my more than 20 years of working in the government under MNRE, I can say with confidence that Samoa already has strong governance arrangements and capable institutions. Our task now is to make those existing systems work better together – within our capacity and in ways that can last.”
Lealaisalanoa also spoke about relevant parallel initiatives under MNRE exploring innovative financing models, before challenging the BIOFIN Project to bring all these initiatives together under one financing model. She stressed that the time is right for BIOFIN to not create new models but to look at what is already in place and produce a viable model that brings everything together.
“Since its inception in 2013, BIOFIN has supported 44 countries in developing evidence-based biodiversity finance plans, leveraging a diverse toolkit of solutions—from payment for ecosystem services and green bonds to reforming subsidies and enhancing financial disclosure. The results speak for themselves: increased investments, improved governance, and tangible conservation outcomes across the globe,” said UNDP Resident Representative, Aliona Niculita.
Through this joint effort, MNRE and UNDP reaffirm their shared commitment to safeguarding Samoa’s rich biodiversity and promoting sustainable financing pathways that contribute to a resilient and green future.
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