30 March 2012: The World Bank has adopted Samoa’s first Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for 2012-2016, which aims to strengthen resilience to climate change, disasters and economic shocks.

The CPS is a policy document to guide World Bank lending to the country for the next four years, which reflects key elements from Samoa’s Development Strategy and the Bank’s priorities for funding. The CPS for Samoa focuses on: building economic resilience and encourage inclusive growth; generating increased opportunities from global and regional integration; and strengthening resilience to disasters and climate change.

On the latter, the CPS states that the Bank will complement the US$25 million in grant financing for Samoa approved through the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR), a part of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF). Resources will seek to climate-proof the main West Coast road from the airport to Apia, the capital of Samoa. A second phase will help Samoa develop a national climate adaptation plan, and support 16 districts to implement high priority coastal protection works, in conjunction with support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) for Samoa’s other 25 districts. [World Bank Press Release]