INCEPTION WORKSHOP FOR THE GLOBAL ONE COUNTRY ONE PRODUCT (OCOP) PROJECT IN SAMOA UNDER THE FAO-CHINA SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION (SSC). PROGRAMME AND TECHNICAL TRAINING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OCOP INITIATIVE FOR THE PACIFIC [Tuesday 18 November 2025]

SAMOA, November 17 - KEYNOTE ADDRESS Associate Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries & Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa. Aiolupotea Tony Aiolupo

Taitai o le Sauniga, Reverend Letupu Mata’utia

Honourable Delegates and Esteemed Guests from across the Region

Ladies and Gentlemen

Talofa lava and warm greetings to you all, It is with great honour and pleasure that I welcome you all to Samoa for this important Inception Workshop for the Global One Country One Product (OCOP) Project, under the FAO – China South–South Cooperation (SSC) Programme, and the Third (3rd) FAO OCOP Regional Organizing Group Meeting for Asia and the Pacific.

On behalf of the Government and people of Samoa, I extend a very warm welcome to the Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of FAO, Mr Alue Dohong; the Directors and colleagues from FAO Headquarters; the FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific, our distinguished delegates from the Pacific Island countries, and our partners from China and other regions.

Your presence here today signifies a strong spirit of collaboration and shared commitment to advancing agricultural transformation and food security across our region. Samoa is honoured to be chosen as the Pacific’s OCOP Demonstration Country, focusing on cocoa-an economic resource and cultural heritage.

This initiative offers a valuable platform to advance sustainable production, processing, and marketing through innovation, knowledge exchange, and international partnerships, benefiting our farmers and communities.

This workshop marks another milestone in strengthening regional cooperation under FAO’s vision of achieving Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life – leaving no one behind. It also reflects the success of the FAO–China South–South Cooperation Programme, which continues to bridge expertise, technology, and solidarity between developing nations.

In the coming days, you will engage in knowledge exchange, explore strategic approaches, and observe firsthand the advancements achieved within Samoa’s cocoa value chain. From pioneering research and innovation at the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) to the dedicated efforts of our farmers and entrepreneurs in production and processing, this journey reflects our collective commitment to sustainable growth. We are confident that Samoa’s experience will offer valuable insights to inspire and guide other Pacific nations as we advance together under the OCOP framework.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the FAO, the Government of China, and our regional partners for their steadfast support and collaboration. Through this shared commitment, we can strengthen and safeguard agrifood systems across the Pacific-systems that empower our farmers, uplift livelihoods, and drive sustainable development for our communities and future generations.

Once again, welcome to Samoa. I wish you all a productive and enriching workshop.

Soifua ma ia manuia.