ASG welcomes Samoa PM and her delegation to the Atoa o Samoa talks

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Unofficially kicking off the Flag Day festivities, Gov Lemanu P. S. Mauga and ASG officials — including Senate President, Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale welcomed yesterday Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and her delegates — along with observers and special guests to the third Atoa o Samoa talks, held at the American Samoa Community College Multipurpose Center in Malaeimi.

The ceremony began with the usual traditional ‘ava ceremony, followed with an invocation led by Rev. Elder Dr. Aumalesulu Tuifalefa, along with an official group photo to capture the essence and the importance of this year’s Atoa o Samoa talks.

In recalling the memorandum of understanding between the government of the Independent State of Samoa and the government of the territory of American Samoa, states they are recognizing the important and enduring relationship between American Samoa and Samoa founded on a shared history, culture, language, social and family ties. 

The Atoa o Samoa talks will see the two countries considering their common objective to promote economic development and cooperation to obtain fuller opportunities for social progress, pursue measures for sustainable development, and strengthen good governance and security, and a desire to further strengthen the common bond of traditional kinship and friendship between them.

In the governor’s message to the public in regard to the talks’ executive meeting, it states that “the Pacific region is in the midst of a transformational period, with complex and overwhelming challenges to global economic growth, social development, and security. The futures of all island nations are more inextricably linked than ever before. More than ever, American Samoa and Samoa must work together to solve challenges, expand mutual collaboration, and jointly shape the future of our people.”

In the first session yesterday, Apr. 12, 2023, they discussed the updates and progress of mutual development cooperation between the two countries in issues regarding Trade, Labor Mobility, Telecommunications, Environment and Climate Change, Agriculture and Fisheries and Health. This was to be followed by a second session with bilateral discussions between agencies and line ministers of the Two Samoa’s, with a State Dinner to follow, hosted by the Fono at 6 pm at the Governor H. Rex Lee auditorium in Utulei.

The meetings, which are closed to the media and the public, will conclude today, Thursday, April 13, 2023, with other pre-Flag Day events and festivities, such as the Art’s Council entertainment and the DoA Farm fair held at the Veteran’s stadium in Tafuna and the Atoa o Samoa tradeshow happening at the Department of Youth and Women’s Affair center in Tafuna.