Atoa o Samoa meeting concludes with official signing of MOU

Governor Lemanu and Prime Minister Fiame formally signed the outcomes of the Fifth Atoa o Samoa this past Thursday, marking a significant step forward in their joint efforts towards prosperity and cooperation.

[ASG photoPago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As the Fifth Atoa o Samoa drew to a close, the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the leaders of the two Samoas took place on May 9, 2024.

According to a press release issued by the Governor’s Office, Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga and Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa each addressed the assembly.

Governor Lemanu emphasized the importance of initiatives aimed at preserving the rich cultural heritage, customs, and traditions of Samoa. He highlighted progress made in areas such as trade, labor mobility, and immigration, environment and climate change, as well as advancements in agriculture and fisheries. Referring to the symbol of unity, he reiterated to the audience the profound concept that "We have one mat and we share one pillow," symbolizing the deep sense of sisterhood and brotherhood between the two Samoas.

In her remarks, Prime Minister Fiame reaffirmed Samoa's continuous support for the initiatives outlined during the meeting. She emphasized the collective commitment to enhancing food security, healthcare, economic development, sports, and overall well-being for the people of both Samoas.

Governor Lemanu and Prime Minister Fiame formally signed the outcomes of the Fifth Atoa o Samoa this past Thursday, marking a significant step forward in their joint efforts towards prosperity and cooperation, the release said.

SITE VISITS

To set the stage for productive discussions, both delegations began with informative site visits.

Group 1, comprising representatives from Environment, Infrastructure & Transportation, Telecommunications & GRO embarked on a site visit led by CEO Falelimu Chuck Leota. Their itinerary included visits to the McConnell Dowell Construction Lab and Blue Sky's Network Operations Center, offering valuable insights into vital infrastructure and telecommunications developments.

Group 2, under the leadership of Directors Motusa Nua and Paleafei Pulou, focused on Health, Education, Veterans, Youth, and Women Affairs. They visited the CHC Community Health Center in Tafuna and the Uifaatali Peter Tali Coleman Elementary School.

Group 3 was led by Directors Petti Matila, Taotasi Archie Soliai, and Solialeafiotagaloa Mutini and explored American Samoa's economic landscape — with a particular focus on the Economy, Agriculture, and Fisheries sectors. Additionally, the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources held an exhibition at Fagaalu Park to showcase the progress of the 500 giant clams that were gifted by the Government of Samoa last November as part of the outcomes from previous Atoa o Samoa meeting. Group 3’s itinerary included a visit to the Industrial gas and the Moana Chips Factory in Pago Pago, further highlighting the territory’s economic activities. The Moana Chips Factory, a local establishment, showcased the potential for import and export opportunities.

Group 4, comprising representatives from Immigration, Border Security, Law Enforcement, Treasury & Audit, embarked on a visit of essential facilities including the Department of Treasury Customs warehouse, Department of Public Safety Tafuna Substation, Department of Homeland Security Tafuna Fusion Center, and the Department of Legal Affairs Immigration Office, emphasizing Samoa's commitment to security and governance.

One anticipated outcome of the recent Atoa o Samoa meeting was the formation of a partnership between American Samoa and the Samoan Government concerning their K-9 program. The Customs K-9 division demonstrated the drug detection abilities of their K-9 units.