In her first meeting of Pacific Finance and Economic Ministers, Samoa’s head of delegation and Finance Minister, Mulipola Anarose Ale Molio’o says the meeting's theme "towards resilient economic recovery and stability" resonated with a new reality that it's no longer business as usual. 

Recently returning to Apia from the FEMM 2022 sessions in Vanuatu, Mulipola said a resilient economy must incorporate new vision, commitment, and innovation 

“When it comes to recovering and growing our economies. We must build resilience by educating our communities and diversify our economies so that they are able to withstand future emergencies and disasters such as the global health pandemic.”

The Minister said as it was her first FEMM she was proud to see the input during the conference from Samoa, through the local firm SkyEye Pacific.

“I was so proud to see the private sector expertise and solutions provided by Samoa, through virtual participation, of our own SkyEye Pacific CEO, Sam Saili," she said. 

"It was also a moment to share our policy directions of the government and hear from our Forum family about the experiences and challenges we all share.”

As a former private sector leader and woman in business with considerable experience, Mulipola said the private and civil society lectures resonated with her and she was pleased to participate.

“Resonated strongly for me as it brought home the vision of people at the centre as the approach that works the best. It was more about learning and listening, but I was pleased to participate in the public lecture event and continue my dedicated support for that people-centred vision of the new 2050 strategy. 

"It’s the direction set by our leaders at their Forum meeting in Fiji, and as the Economic ministers of the region we need to ensure we provide adequate support to implement and realize our priorities in these regional strategies.”

When asked if that was a daunting task in a Pacific facing so many development challenges? Of course, she says, “it will be challenging. But as a region we need to start somewhere, and this is a good starting point.”

Globally, the statistics and studies reveal women in Pacific politics are too few and far between and in the finance space, even more sparse.

Therefore as a woman leader in both politics and finance, and likely the first in the developing Pacific to head a delegation to the FEMM, Mulipola is aware there is work to do to bring more gender balance and representation to the top table. 

“I am humbled to able to represent Samoa at the FEMM and as a Pacific woman Minister of Finance, and I think having the right policies in place in our countries to promote and encourage more women participation not only in the political arena, but also in more specialised sectors such as Finance is critical. “

The Minister said the balance and representation is key, because women participation has led to positive outcomes at various levels.

“We have seen positive outcomes in areas and sectors where women have led or participate in their communities, private sector, civil society, and governments. 

"As a region, we need to recommit to gender equality and fully tap the power of women to contribute to strong, resilient, and inclusive economies and societies in the Pacific.”

Mulipola's background in the private sector and as a long-time public sector executive has gone a long way to supporting the vision she brings to her current role in the Cabinet of Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.

“I have always worked in the private sector and that experience brings with it a powerful sense of timeliness, efficiency and productivity," she said. 

"It has only been just over a year since my appointment as Minister of Finance I am still learning on the job, so I cannot express how wonderful it was to get all the affirmation and inspiration I can run with from this year’s FEMM meeting.”

And to help with that momentum, there is always the inspiration that comes from the journey, she adds. 

One such milestone so far has been the moment she was the first female appointed as the Minister of Finance,  by the first female Prime Minister of Samoa. 

“Right away, my first task was to lead the formulation of a new emergency nine-month budget to reflect new government priorities. Supported by my excellent ministry and team, we did it. In such a brief time—I look back and am still amazed up to now, at how we managed to do that. It’s what continues to inspire me to achieve for our people of Samoa, and for the Pacific. It is all God’s doing.”