Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa'olelei Luteru is the new Permanent Representative of Samoa to the United Nations at the U.N. Headquarters in New York in the U.S.

The Ambassador was accompanied by Matila Bartley, Samoa's Deputy Permanent Representatives during the presentation of credentials ceremony.  

Fatumanava conveyed to the Secretary-General the best wishes of the Head of State of Samoa, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II and the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and assured the U.N. Secretary General António Guterres of Samoa's support and cooperation towards the achievement of the U.N. mandate.

“We will willingness to work closely with the Secretary-General to address some of the more pressing issues comforting the International community, climate change and the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and called for the need ensure that the availability of vaccines does not become and issues about affordability but rather of equity," Fatumanava said in a press statement.

He had also noted that Samoa’s important contribution to the work of the organisation and emphasised the importance of tackling climate issues in a holistic, coordinated and integrated manner.

The issue of SIDS and the implementation of the Samoa pathway remain as important agenda items on the work programme of the United Nation. 

A number of U.N. organisations are based in Apia and include the U.N. country team serving the Cook Island, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau as well as the Food and Agriculture Organisation, International Labour Organisation, U.N.D.P together with U.N.I.C.E.F. and W.H.O. as well as others private organisations. 

The implementation of U.N programmes is led by Government ministries in partnership with international and regional organizations, the private sector and non-governmental organizations, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and the media.

U.N Secretary General, Mr. Guterres concluded by extending his best wishes to the Head of State of Samoa and the Prime Minister and assured Ambassador Luteru of his continued availability to work with Samoa in advocating the agenda of the organisation in the future.

Prior to moving to New York, Fatumanava was the Ambassador for Samoa to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, the European Council and Commission. 

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Canterbury, holds a Masters in Educational Administration from the University of New England and a doctorate in philosophy from Flinders University in Australia.