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UN Conference in Samoa Unites World Leaders Behind Small Island Nations as Climate Change Looms

By Courtney Mattison
Equipped only with the tools of Polynesian ancestors and their unwavering conviction, the crews of the Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia traditional voyaging canoes sailed into Apia, Samoa on Sunday after navigating from Hawaii through Polynesia since May. The Pacific Voyagers and Nainoa Thompson – President and Master Navigator of the Polynesian Voyaging Society – were accompanied onboard the Hōkūle‘a for its most recent sail by ocean artist Wyland and Conservation International’s Greg Stone and were welcomed ashore by Dr. Sylvia Earle amid an impressive display of traditional Polynesian performers. Once on shore, the Samoa Head of State addressed his guests with a profoundly heartfelt speech expressing Samoa’s appreciation for its kinship with Hawaii, setting the tone for a four-day conference hosted by the United Nations on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).…

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UN Thanks Samoans with BLUE On Tour Film Festival

by Courtney Mattison
Yesterday, the United Nations kicked off a four-day film festival at the National University of Samoa called BLUE On Tour as a special gift to the Samoan people for hosting the upcoming Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In partnership with the US-based BLUE Ocean Film Festival and the National University of Samoa, the UN selected a variety of films for BLUE On Tour that are sure to appeal to a diverse audience with topics surrounding ocean and climate change issues.
“We are pleased to support this unique initiative between BLUE and the National University of Samoa,” says Christian Clark, UN Spokesperson for the SIDS Conference. “Media has the power to catalyze important discussions. We hope this festival will help inspire dialogue between the Samoan people and arriving delegations, media and others attending this important meeting.”…

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