There is an urgent need to strengthen social protection systems, improve health services and increase vaccination coverage in the country according to a report by Joy Pagaialii of the Ministry of Finance at the United Nations 2024 Common Country Analysis.

She provided an overview of the current National Development Priorities and highlighted the current programs of development partner support. 

Their mission was empowering communities, building resilience, and inspiring growth. She emphasised that the majority of the support from the UN to Samoa was in capacity development and Technical Assistance.

The report highlighted the need to improve health services, increase immunisation coverage, expand youth-friendly Sexual Health services, and strengthen mental health and non-communicable disease interventions. 

The report also recommends enhancing capacities for emergency public health responses, including risk communication training and evaluations under the International Health Regulations.

"There is also a need to strengthen social protection systems with child-sensitive training and multidimensional deprivation analysis to inform policy improvements for vulnerable groups. Advanced climate-resilient WASH projects, improving access to safe water and hygiene in schools and healthcare facilities," said the report.

The report claimed that Samoa had achieved educational milestones with inclusive skill development frameworks, Early Childhood Development strategies, and integrating climate resilience into education planning. 

The report also highlighted the lesson learned to adopt result indicators to measure outcome and output results, align Country Implementation Plans (CIP) with the Government Priorities, accelerate implementation processes and improve institutional capacity, and ensure regular monitoring of the progress and results.

In the report it is said that by 2027, all individuals in the Pacific especially the most marginalised would have improved access to quality social services, including health, education and social protection, enabling them to exercise their fundamental rights and achieve their full potential.

By 2027, governance systems in the Pacific will be more transparent, accountable, and inclusive, upholding human rights, promoting gender equality, and ensuring peace and security for all citizens, said the report.

CIP national consultations are done in February, they will be drafting and reviewing the CIP from February to March, and from March to April they will finalise the CIP.