The Ambassador of Norway to Samoa with residence in Canberra Australia, Anne Grete Riise presented her letters of credentials to the Head of State Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa II on Thursday. 

Samoa and Norway have maintained cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1999. 

The relationship between the two countries is characterised by mutual respect and a shared interest in the attainment of sustainable development goals.

In a press statement from the government, Riise highlighted the involvement of Norway in the region as a Pacific Island Forum Dialogue Partner since 2021 and is one of the largest contributors to the Green Climate Fund. 

She noted the fund has contributed to the Integrated Flood Management to Enhance Climate Resilience of the Vaisigano River Catchment Area project for Samoa. 

The Ambassador of Norway expressed her commitment in continuing and further deepening the existing bilateral relations.

The Head of State reaffirmed the growing collaboration between Samoa and Norway including at the United Nations to advance common interests.

Tuimalealiifano also acknowledged Norway’s humanitarian support for Samoa with the deployment of an Emergency Medical Team that consisted of 16 clinicians to assist Samoa during the measles outbreak in 2019. 

The Head of State added Ms Riise presence will further bolster the existing friendly relations and will expand areas of mutual collaboration n between Samoa and Norway.

Ms. Riise joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway in February 1992 and held various positions including as Deputy Director for the High North Section and as Senior Adviser/Analyst in the European Department. 

She was posted to numerous Diplomatic Missions in Norway including in Kiev, Ukraine as Second Secretary; as Second Secretary in Berlin, Germany, as First Secretary in Vienna, Austria and as Minister Counsellor in Warsaw, Poland. 

In March 2020 to June 2020, Ms Riise worked at the Ministry of Health in the COVID crisis Unit as MFA Liaison. 

Before she was appointed Ambassador of Norway to Australia, she was the Director of the Department for Culture and Protocol Norway at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.