2Samoa Talks (now known as Atoa o Samoa) discusses wealth of issues

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Deportation of Samoan citizens serving time at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) was among the many issues discussed during the 2Samoa Talks, now officially called Atoa o Samoa or Oneness of Samoa.

The two-day meetings held last Wednesday and Thursday at the American Samoa Community College multipurpose complex, were closed to the private sector media.

However media from Samoa, including Talamua Media and Samoa Government media, along with KVZK TV, spouses of some Ministers who were part of the delegation from Samoa, and a business woman attended the “closed door” meetings.

Established in 1985 as the Samoa Talks, this is the first meeting to be held since 2017.

Normally a communique is issued at the end of the meeting after a press conference with Government leaders.

However at the conclusion of the meetings there was no press conference afforded to the local media to ask questions, just an “exclusive” given to KVZK TV with Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.

Chief of Staff, Tuimavave Tauapa’i Mulipola said a press conference will “only happen if the Government leaders” agree to it. Put to Tuimavave that normally the Talks conclude with a press conference, he said “it is up to the Government leaders.”

There was no communique issued but a press release was issued by the American Samoa Government on Saturday afternoon.

The statement says the key issues that were discussed included Health, Economy, Education, Information and Communication Technology, Immigration, Agriculture and Fisheries, Finance, Environment, Climate, Weather & Geoscience, Transport between the two Samoas, Public Works matters, and Foreign Affairs and Trade. Other issues/ matters discussed were cultural preservation of language and literacy, and the Land Swap Agreement.

These matters will be on the agenda for the next executive session to be held in September this year.

 “Leaders discussed the need for advancement in healthcare in both regions. The mutual interests are in training opportunities for personnel, TeleHealth, and technological support. The Minister of Health mentioned the Bilateral Health Summit and similar workshops that provide training opportunities for all to attend,” says the statement.

Furthermore, American Samoa proposed a collaboration to enhance the tourism industry and attract investors, especially noting that American Samoa is the gateway to the US market.

 “The two Samoas agreed that both regions need to utilize the E-commerce/ digital economy. Both Samoas expressed the demand for skilled workers and specialized professionals.

 “Samoa mentioned the advantages of the Labor Mobility Agreement with New Zealand and Australia which provides opportunities for diverse skill-development and jobs for Pacific Island Nations. Samoa also mentioned that they have a Samoa Maritime Academy for programs in Nautical, Marine Engineering, and Fisheries.”

Teacher shortages remain a mutual concern for both Samoas and leaders have discussed ways to address this issue, some of which include working collaboratively in sharing resources and proactively participating in skill-building programs.

 “Other matters of discussion included opportunities to train residents of American Samoa through the maritime and aviation programs.”

Since the Kingdom of Tonga lost all connections to the outside world as a result of the volcanic eruption, American Samoa has been looking into utilizing the Hawaiki Cable to its full capacity by extending a cable connection through the Pasefika.

 “This will aid in closing the digital divide and building a digital economy.

“Majority of the food supply for the two Samoas are imported. Samoa has offered American Samoa an opportunity to connect with the Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS) to create products utilizing local resources.”

The statement says the two Samoas discussed the importance of improving and solidifying processes of repatriating law violators.

 Other issues addressed and discussed included types of permits and the Guest Worker program. Samoa offered assistance in establishing a financial facility (bank) in American Samoa as ANZ exits the territory.

 “This will ensure all efforts of inter-Samoa trade, and expanding banking services in American Samoa.

 “Climate change remains a priority issue for both Samoas as the effects of it are prominent in the Pacific. Governor Lemanu has established the Governor’s Resilience Office and the American Samoa Resilience Commission to hone in on these issues. Prime Minister Fiame shared that Samoa is looking into renewable energy.

 “Both leaders have discussed the importance of collaborative efforts to continue resilience efforts.”

According to the statement, the two Samoas expressed the need to preserve the Samoan culture and language so that it continues to pass on to generations long after.

“Samoa encourages American Samoa to participate in the Indigenous People’s Conference. American Samoa recently created the Samoa Language Commission.” 

There was a conversation over the lack of direct communication between American Samoa Port Administration and Samoa Ministry of Transportation regarding the weekly transport of the passenger ferry of Lady Naomi. Also a request to reconsider chartering fees to transport goods between both islands.

Furthermore, discussions for American Samoa to have a seat in regional organizations to voice issues and concerns were raised by Samoa.

 “This would allow for a collective voice in the Pacific region to address mutual issues.”

As a result of the executive meeting, the two Samoas have mutually decided that the official name of the formerly known 2 Samoa Talks meeting, will now be the Atoa o Samoa Executive Meeting and will occur biannually. The next meeting will be hosted in Samoa in September 2022 during the Teuila Festival.

Following the closing of the executive meeting was a presentation of gifts exchanged by the two Samoas, which included fine mats, siapo, tuna, and Samoa-made beverages and produce.

Other events that took place throughout the week was the Territorial Dinner Reception of the two Samoas that was held at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium (fale lamei) on Wednesday evening. In attendance were the two government delegates and minsters, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and business leaders in the private sector.

In their special remarks during the opening ceremony, both leaders highlighted a new beginning for the two Samoas to move forward independently and collaboratively in their government.

 “Although we are two separate governments that hold different political statuses, we are still one people. Atoa o Samoa will allow our delegations to discuss cooperation issues between the two Samoas,” Governor Lemanu stated in his opening remarks. He continued, “We are facing many hardships; however, there needs to be a collective approach for the resiliency of our people.”

 “This fellowship marks the beginning of new administrations of both Samoas, however the spirit of the two governments working together towards mutual issues remains the goal,” Prime Minister Fiame stated in her special remarks. She continued, “The communication has begun to strengthen the relationship of our two Samoa Governments.”