Honourable Governor, this April gathering is the third round of the Atoa Samoa. Talks. The intention remains clear; we should continue to collaborate and consolidate our positions on what we see will reap mutual benefits for all our people.

At this juncture, let us reflect on the beginnings of our journey and what we have achieved. At the 27-28 July inaugural meeting here in American Samoa we renamed the formerly known ‘Two Samoa Talks’ to ‘Atoa o Samoa’ by our respective new governments. The spirit of genuine partnerships; the unity of the family, and the willingness to share resonated in the concept ‘ua atoa Samoa’

At the 2nd Atoa o Samoa meeting in October 2022 in Apia we went further to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, to re-establish the principles of economic cooperation and commit to promoting sustainable development. The two-day meeting in Apia included bilateral meetings between departments and counterparts, and the start of site visits to major development projects, a demonstration of what can be done and how we can learn from each other.

This 3rd meeting will report on progress made since Apia, I am happy that some agencies have interchanged visits and exchanged personnel and hopefully have progressed priority issues. I understand that the next session will provide an overview of progress or otherwise. I am sure that you will all agree with me that the implementation of our decisions and what we have agreed to will be indicative of progress.

We are living in difficult times fraught with challenges that have impacted our way of life, well-being, and security. Our situation as small island states is made worse by our vulnerabilities. The Russia-Ukraine war continues to preoccupy the major powers; the world’s attention continues to shift away from small island states like our two countries that are also sinking under the weight of rising fuel and food prices as a result of such aggression. Our geographical isolation no longer protects us from the impacts of climate change and future pandemics but we should never stop advocating for the world to be held responsible for promises not kept thus thwarting our rights to peace security and prosperity.

Samoa’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting next year, the signing of the Samoa Agreement with the leaders of the European Union and the African Caribbean Pacific Group as well as chairing the Alliance of Small Islands States within the United Nations over the next 2 years reflect our commitment to stand up and be counted.

The Atoa o Samoa framework can be a unique partnership model for the benefit of our people and our extensive diasporas globally. We must ensure that it works well and has sustained benefits for all – if changes are deemed necessary let's not turn away from them.

Ia alofa mai le Atua i la tatou feiloaiga. Ia lautua pea faigamalo e lua i le alofa ma le fetausia’i, ma ia tumau pea lo tatou fealofani. Ia manuia le tauaofiga lona tolu o le Atoa o Samoa. Soifua. 

• This speech was given by Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa at the 3rd Atoa o Samoa summit in Pago Pago, American Samoa last week between the Samoa Government and American Samoa Administration.