During the seminar some of the challenges faced by women and youth face in the region will be discussed, as will the ways the SDP is seeking to address them, highlighting lessons learned and how these lessons may be applied in the future.

A Samoan national, Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago-Elisara, has over 21 years of professional experience in the social sector, including six years as chief executive officer of the Samoan Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. Her role as director of the SDP also includes providing strategic leadership and management on the mainstreaming of gender, youth and culture across SPC’s scientific and technical programmes including in coastal fisheries and aquaculture; agriculture; climate change and resilience; disaster risk reduction; maritime; and public health as part of integrated programming in SPC.