The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Honorable Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, hosted a courtesy meeting with the World Bank Group delegation to introduce the incoming Divisional Director for the South Pacific, Ms. Tatiana A. Proskuryakova. The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm Samoa’s partnership with the World Bank and to discuss Samoa’s active portfolio and priority areas for future collaboration.

Honorable Mulipola warmly welcomed Ms. Proskuryakova, who brings 34 years of extensive experience with the World Bank, having served in leadership roles across Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as in corporate strategy and portfolio management. Ms. Proskuryakova joined the World Bank in 1992 and has contributed significantly to strengthening development effectiveness and operational policy across multiple regions.

The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Divisional Director, Mr. Stephen Ndegwa, for his dedicated support to Samoa and the Pacific during his tenure.

The World Bank delegation also joined the Government’s official launch program for the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2026/27–2030/31, held in Salelologa, Savai’i. The launch highlighted the new national plan that will guide Samoa’s development over the next five years under the theme “Sustaining community empowerment, driving resilient growth and fostering good governance, social justice and partnerships.” This theme reflects Samoa’s vision of “A Highly Resilient, Safe, and Prosperous Samoa, grounded in the Faa-Samoa and Faith in God.”

The program concluded with the visit to the new office for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries at Salelologa currently under construction. The facility is designed to strengthen agricultural services for Savai’i, supporting the Government’s commitment to rural district development, agricultural exports and enhanced service delivery for farmers and communities.

Partnership: Samoa became a member of the World Bank Group in 1974 and received its first IDA-funded project in 1975. Today, there are seven active programs funded by the World - Bank valued at US$208.1 million, supporting Government priorities in health, ICT, transport and infrastructure, environment, and climate change.

On behalf of the Government of Samoa, Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola acknowledged the partnership and support of the World Bank and committed to continued collaboration and partnership to advance resilience, sustainable development, and national priorities as highlighted in the new Pathway for the Development of Samoa.