Grounded in the Samoan concept of Aiga (family), PDS2 recognizes that development is ultimately measured through the wellbeing of people, communities and future generations. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the framework provides an integrated roadmap to address national priorities ranging from education and culture, workforce development and environmental stewardship to climate resilience and digital transformation.
A Significant Step Forward for Culture in National Development
One of the most notable advancements in PDS2 is the strengthened recognition of culture as a strategic development priority. For the first time, culture has been fully integrated within Samoa’s national development framework under Key Priority Area 2: Education and Culture, including a dedicated outcome on the preservation of Samoan culture and heritage.
The strategy reflects Samoa’s commitment to safeguarding, revitalizing and transmitting its rich cultural heritage for future generations and recognizes the need for a more systematic and adequately resourced approach to the documentation, safeguarding and promotion of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, while emphasizing the role of education in transmitting cultural knowledge, values and practices.
Importantly, the framework commits to strengthening Samoa’s engagement with UNESCO Culture Conventions and regional and international cultural cooperation mechanisms, recognizing culture’s contribution across a range of sustainable development priorities.
Under its economic development objectives, the framework highlights the role of cultural tourism, community-based tourism and the sustainable use of cultural resources in supporting livelihoods, employment creation and economic diversification. At the same time, it acknowledges the growing threats that climate change and disasters pose to cultural heritage and traditional knowledge systems, underscoring the importance of integrating heritage safeguarding into broader resilience and adaptation efforts.
This cross-sectoral approach reflects a growing recognition that culture is not only a sector in its own right, but also a driver and enabler of sustainable development. By linking culture with education, economic development, tourism, environmental sustainability and resilience, Samoa’s new development pathway aligns closely with international commitments reaffirmed through the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT) and the Pacific Regional Culture Strategy.
UNESCO welcomes this important milestone and remains committed to supporting Samoa in translating these ambitions into action. Through its normative frameworks, technical cooperation and capacity-building programmes, UNESCO is working alongside national partners to strengthen heritage governance, advance the safeguarding of cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, and enhance capacities for the sustainable management of cultural and natural heritage.
This cooperation includes support for the strengthening of national heritage legislation and policy frameworks, the implementation of UNESCO’s cultural conventions, and initiatives aimed at safeguarding living heritage and promoting intergenerational transmission of knowledge. UNESCO is also supporting Samoa’s efforts to strengthen the recognition and safeguarding of its unique cultural traditions at both national and international levels, while promoting the integration of traditional knowledge into broader resilience and sustainable development strategies.
Advancing Inclusive and Future-Ready Education
Education remains central to Samoa’s development vision. Through Key Priority Area 2, PDS2 seeks to strengthen inclusive learning opportunities, diversify education pathways and ensure that education remains responsive to the country’s evolving social and economic needs.
These priorities align closely with UNESCO’s ongoing partnership with Samoa to strengthen quality, inclusive and equitable education. Through support to the Ministry of Education’s Quality Foundation, Prosperous Future programme supported by the Global Partnership for Education. Through this initiative, UNESCO supports improvements in early childhood education governance, teacher quality, learning environments and community engagement, helping ensure that every child has access to quality learning opportunities from the earliest years.
The programme also addresses literacy and numeracy challenges through targeted support for learners at risk of falling behind, while strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) pathways that better align education with labour market needs and emerging economic opportunities.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/samoa-launches-new-national-development-strategy-culture-education-and-resilience-its-core?hub=701
