The President of the 77^th session of the General Assembly has announced the selection of six young professionals from around the world including a Samoan to undertake a fellowship at the United Nations.

The six fellows who represent Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean regions are recipients of the President's Fellowship Programme.

Asiata Seve Afisivalumaleafa Gerard Tuii Anapu, who currently works as a Senior Foreign Service Officer with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Apia, is among the six working professionals who were selected.

President Csaba Kőrösi announced the Fellowship Programme awardees on Monday this week (Tuesday Samoa local time).

According to the statement from the President's Office, an independent three-member selection panel – consisting of one Member State, a representative of the UN System, and a representative from a Civil Society Organization – assessed the candidates’ applications, and selected the following six individuals: Ms. Syuzanna Martirosyan (Armenia), Mr. Mmoloki Tsheole (Botswana), Ms. Aime Triana Sevajanes (Cuba), Mr. Amr Danyal Shamun (Maldives), Ms. Nathalie Gasaro (Rwanda), and Mr. Asiata Seve Afisivalumaleafa Gerard Tuii Anapu (Samoa).

Following the call for application, which closed on 28 October 2022, the Office received 42 applications from Member States. Of those applications, 57 per cent were from female candidates. 

Geographically, 18 nominations were received from African States, 12 from Asia-Pacific States, one from an Eastern European State, and 11 from the Latin American and Caribbean States.

The independent panel made its decision based on agreed-upon criteria, balancing gender and regional representation. Preference was given to young diplomats and civil servants from underrepresented countries, particularly from the least developed countries, the landlocked developing countries and small island developing states.

The PGA Fellowship Programme, developed in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), will allow the Fellows to gain knowledge and understanding of multilateralism, the General Assembly and its organs, and the United Nations system, through full-time placement in the Office and training provided by UNITAR. The Programme will commence in the coming weeks.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer on Thursday, Asiata said he received a letter of invitation from the Ministry to apply for the Fellowship and sent through an application without thinking he will be successful. 

"I submitted [Fellowship programme application] thinking that I had no chance but I gave it a shot," he said in a telephone interview. 

"Late November I received an email that confirmed my application was successful and I was overwhelmed, given that there were only six spots and such a high level in the United Nations. 

"I am really thankful to the lord, he gave me great support through my family, colleagues and friends. I want to thank everyone, especially the Government of Samoa and my Ministry."

Asiata added that for him to participate in the Fellowship Programme at the UN General Assembly is "an opportunity of a lifetime" and he is grateful.

His areas of interest at the MFAT include the Sustainable Development Goals, human rights, climate change, maritime boundaries and oceans amongst other tasks. He is also the current President of the Samoa Family Health Association, which focuses on sexual reproductive health and rights and an advocate for women and girls. Asiata has a Bachelor of Arts Degree specialising in international relations and behavioral studies from the Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

• Reporter Gutu Faasau contributed to this reporting.