World Water and Forest Day were commemorated on Monday at an event at the Taumeasina Island Resort highlighting the importance of sustainably managing freshwater and forest resources.

The annual events are marked across the world to highlight the importance of natural resources in the face of growing threats such as climate change and commercial exploitation. 

The theme of World Water and Forest Day this year was: “Valuing our Water and Forest resources: a path to recovery and well-being”

The theme looks at promoting the social, environmental, and economic values of forests and water, especially in raising the resilience of communities and national economies to the impacts of climate change and extreme disasters.

The celebration this year is a two-day event starting Monday with the launch of the sector’s Commemorative materials, followed by the 9^th Annual Water and Sanitation Sector Forum - a platform where views and experiences on the best practices on lessons learned from the Sector are shared with the public and key stakeholders.

The Assistant Chief Executive Officer (A.C.E.O) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s (M.N.R.E) Forestry Division, Moafanua Tolusina Pouli said that Samoa would mark the days between 21-23 March, a period which also coincides with World Meteorological Day.

Moafanua said that all three resources are interconnected. 

He said the Ministry is working to ensure the continued availability of natural resources to support it because forests have degraded and the availability of fresh water has been reduced. 

“There are a lot of developments in our country that rely on water, especially for the well-being because water is needed by everyone,” he said.

“If there is no water then there are no businesses.”

Moafanua said Samoa is already facing the impacts of climate change such as increasing floods which have affected water catchments, forests, and water supply.

The Ministry will use the occasion to highlight issues including the importance of upland forests on mountain ridges in central Upolu and Savai'i acting as natural water towers for capturing, storing and gradually releasing freshwater.