On Monday 8th of June 2026 
, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), through its GEF7 Samoa IAS project 
, proudly handed over the first lot of essential IT equipment 
to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries β Biosecurity Division 
, in order to strengthen biosecurity by equipping their expanding biosecurity laboratory at Matutu Wharf 
.
, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), through its GEF7 Samoa IAS project , proudly handed over the first lot of essential IT equipment to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries β Biosecurity Division , in order to strengthen biosecurity by equipping their expanding biosecurity laboratory at Matutu Wharf .The handover included: One 98-inch conference display monitor 
to support coordination, two standing cold storage refrigerators 
to support laboratory work and sample storage, three Samsung tablets and three Dell laptops which will boost data collection and analysis capabilities 
.
to support coordination, two standing cold storage refrigerators to support laboratory work and sample storage, three Samsung tablets and three Dell laptops which will boost data collection and analysis capabilities .βThe Ministry has been working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries through its Biosecurity Division to strengthen national capacity to screen for, identify and control prioritised Invasive Species 
. The expansion of the biosecurity laboratory at Matautu Wharf as well as equipping the laboratory with the necessary diagnostic tools 
will strengthen frontline diagnostics and enhance the capacity of the Biosecurity staff in preventing new pest incursions,β explained Suemalo Tumutalie Foliga, MNREβs Acting Chief Executive Officer.
. The expansion of the biosecurity laboratory at Matautu Wharf as well as equipping the laboratory with the necessary diagnostic tools will strengthen frontline diagnostics and enhance the capacity of the Biosecurity staff in preventing new pest incursions,β explained Suemalo Tumutalie Foliga, MNREβs Acting Chief Executive Officer.Tagaloa Tanumafili Seuao, Acting Assistant Chief Executive Officer for MAF-Biosecurity Division, thanked the MNRE GEF7 Samoa IAS Project 
as he received the equipment on behalf of MAF and expressed that the support reflects a strong partnership between the two Ministries.
as he received the equipment on behalf of MAF and expressed that the support reflects a strong partnership between the two Ministries.The MNRE GEF7 Samoa IAS project will be working with MAF over the following months to renovate and refurbish its Biosecurity laboratory at the Matautu Wharf 
as well as the procurement of additional technical laboratory equipment such as stereo microscopes , diagnostic network cameras 
, and specimen ovens 
, to name a few.
as well as the procurement of additional technical laboratory equipment such as stereo microscopes , diagnostic network cameras , and specimen ovens , to name a few.The Ministry through the GEF-7 Samoa IAS project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility 
and working in close partnership with UNDP in Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau & Niue, is equipping and empowering local communities to safeguard Samoaβs indigenous species 
, natural ecosystems 
, and food production systems 
from Invasive Alien Species (IAS)
and working in close partnership with UNDP in Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau & Niue, is equipping and empowering local communities to safeguard Samoaβs indigenous species , natural ecosystems , and food production systems from Invasive Alien Species (IAS)