"The Samoan way (Fa’asamoa) teaches that we are custodians, not owners, of our natural resources" — a principle that has guided Lealaisalanoa Frances Brown-Reupena, Chief Executive Officer of Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), every day of her career. "I grew up understanding that our land and ocean are part of who we are, she says. They are our identity, our heritage, and our responsibility." That foundation has steered her from village fono (village councils) to global climate negotiations, ensuring Samoa’s voice is both heard and heeded.
From local knowledge to global stage
Her journey from community work to international diplomacy was rooted in the belief that local knowledge must inform global policy. "I started by working directly with communities, she recalls, learning that local knowledge is the foundation of good policy." As the current CEO of MNRE, she ensures that international climate finance aligns with customary governance. "Projects only succeed when they respect customary land ownership and traditional decision-making structures," she states. The Pacific-led program Kiwa Initiative embodies this approach: it supports community-driven resilience projects while honoring sa’o (customary land governance) systems. "Communities must always remain at the centre of every investment," she affirms.
Nature as ancestor, policy as leadership
For Samoa, nature-based solutions (NbS) are ancestral practice. "NbS is not a new concept. We’ve always worked with nature," she asserts. Healthy mangroves, reefs, and forests provide sustainable protection, though she acknowledges that infrastructure has its place where natural systems fall short. The challenge, she notes, is securing long-term financing and stewardship beyond individual project cycles.
"Climate change is not a future threat for Samoa; it is a daily reality", she states. Samoa contributes little to global emissions but bears some of the gravest impacts. What the nation needs, she argues, is faster action, concrete support, and easier access to climate finance — partnerships that truly recognize the unique circumstances of small island states. To young Samoans considering whether to stay or leave, her message is clear: "Samoa will always need their skills, ideas, and leadership." And her hope? That her ancestors would say she honored her responsibility to protect what was entrusted to her.
