The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), with the support of the UNDP convened the National Inception Workshop to initiate the preparation of Samoaβs Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on Monday, 19 January 2026.
As a Party to the Convention, Samoa is required under Article 26 to prepare and submit national reports assessing progress in implementing the Convention and the KunmingβMontreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The Seventh National Report will contribute to the global review of biodiversity implementation at the CBD COP 17, while also serving as a critical national assessment of Samoaβs progress, challenges, and priorities towards 2030. The report will be aligned with Samoaβs updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025β2030 and relevant national development priorities.
The inception workshop formally marked the commencement of the reporting process and provided a platform to strengthen a shared understanding of reporting requirements, validate the proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline, and clarify stakeholder roles and responsibilities. Participants were also invited to identify key data sources, information gaps, and quality assurance requirements to support structured, evidence-based reporting aligned with nationally defined targets.
The workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society, academia, development partners, and the private sector reflecting the importance of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to biodiversity conservation and reporting.
The Ministry acknowledges the valuable contributions of all stakeholders and looks forward to continued collaboration throughout the reporting process to ensure the successful preparation of Samoaβs Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
