Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa is leading Samoa’s delegation to the 5^th Atoa o Samoa meeting hosted by American Samoa this week. 

More than 20 Government officials including Cabinet Ministers and Chief Executive Officers have been invited to participate in the bi-annual conference that commences on 7 May to and ends on 9 May (Am. Samoa time). The Samoa delegation will be making their way to the territory on Wednesday this week.   

The Chairman of the Public Service Commission in a letter to the Prime Minister Fiame dated 3 May 2024 listed the names of the participants from Samoa for the high-level discussion. 

Some of the Cabinet Ministers that were invited to the meeting are; Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, Minister of Commerce Industry and Labour, Leota Laki Lamositele, Minister of Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele and Minister of Women Community and Social Development, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo. 

The bilateral meeting is an opportunity for the countries to discuss and follow-up on the memorandum of understanding over multiple mutual development issues that benefit both nations.   

Some of the areas of mutual interest focus on health, tourism, economic development, education, information and communication technology, immigration, agriculture, and others. 

To date, the fourth Atoa o Samoa outcome statement under the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not been made available publicly since the October 2023 meeting. 

The fourth Atoa o Samoa gathering in October 2023 had its opening held at the Taumeasina Island Resort and the delegation made a trip for a site visit to Savaii to conclude its discussions.