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The Pacific is one of the lesser developed regions in the world. Despite the significant resources invested in the region over the past 30 years, economic and social progress has been slow and uneven. Development in Samoa, like many other small island developing states is constrained by its size, isolation from foreign markets, narrow economic base, proneness to natural disasters, and human capacity constraints in specialist areas. Samoa has been recommended to graduate from its LDC status in 2010.

Niue's progress to achieving the Millennium Development Goals has been steady. The commitment shown by the Government of Niue has enabled the achievement of 6 of the 8 goals enshrined in Niue's MDG Report 2006. These are MDG 1: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; MDG 2: achieve universal primary education; MDG 3: promote gender equality and empower women; MDG 4: reduce child mortality; MDG 5; improve maternal health; and MDG 6: combat HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases. The overall result for achieving sustainable development shows that every Niuean citizen has access to basic essential services such as running water, power, roads, education, medical care, housing, telephone, television and internet services. Despite the current efforts to sustain development growth at the backdrop of MDG achievement, Niue faces massive human resource depletion as a direct result of depopulation and this has put a huge strain in the Government's development efforts. The 2006 census recorded a total population of a mere 1625 with a 10% decline of 163 people leaving for further prospects in New Zealand.

The survey confirmed the finding from the initial cetacean survey in 2001 that humpback whales have not recovered from commercial whaling and appear to be in very low numbers in Samoan waters. A seminar held at the National University of Samoa concluded the survey and highlighted preliminary results.