The U.S. Ambassador to Samoa, Tom Udall met virtually with Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa last Friday, according to the statement issued by the American Embassy in Apia.

In a statement released on the U.S. Embassy's official website,Mr Udall and Prime Minister Fiame discussed the priorities and values shared by the two countries as well as their relationship during a virtual meeting.

Mr Udall underscored the U.S. commitment to climate action and acknowledged that climate change is an existential concern for many large ocean states in the South Pacific. 

The Ambassador also highlighted the U.S.-Samoan cooperation in the of areas education, security, health and infrastructure.  

Fiame and Mr Udall also discussed the importance of coordination and the need to work together to ensure the safety, freedom and prosperity of our shared region.

Although the meeting focused on bilateral and regional matters, Prime Minister and the U.S. Ambassador also discussed Russia’s invasion of  Ukraine and its wider impact. 

This was the Ambassador’s first courtesy call on the Prime Minister after he presented his credentials on 17 February to the Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II.

The ceremony was held virtually with Mr Udall joining from the U.S. Embassy in New Zealand. 

President Joseph Biden had nominated Mr Udall to be the Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa on 16 July last year.

During his remarks when he presented his credentials, the Ambassador said he is looking forward to meeting the people of Samoa and  reiterated the United States’ commitment to Samoa and the longstanding cooperation in areas including education, health, and cultural preservation. 

"The United States is both Samoa’s closest geographic neighbour and home to one of the largest Samoan diaspora populations in the world.

"We partner regularly to promote our common values.   

"At regional and international levels our two countries work together to protect the environment and fisheries, combat climate change,  promote economic growth in a free and open Indo-Pacific region, support COVID pandemic recovery efforts and strengthen the tenets of democracy and human rights."