A delegation from Norway visited Samoa this week on a two-day diplomatic mission. 

They were welcomed by the Centre for Samoan Studies and Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa in an ‘ava ceremony and a Samoan-style breakfast on Wednesday.

The delegation comprises of Tone Skogen, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs; Unni Klovstad, Norwegian Ambassador to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands; Morten Hoglund, State Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs;  and Professor Edvard Hvirding, Pacific adviser to the delegation.

The delegation is particularly interested in environmental issues in the Pacific Island in relation to oceans and the impacts of climate change. 

The Deputy Minister said that Norway, as a coastal and maritime state shared many interests and concerns with the Pacific Islands and would deepen ties of friendship with Samoa in the future.

Following the ‘ava ceremony the Director of Centre for Samoan Studies, Meleisea Leasiolagi  Professor Malama Meleisea made a short presentation on the Centre’s work on archaeological cultural  heritage documentation. 

Professor Meleisea told the delegation that one of the Impacts of climate change is that villages are moving inland to avoid the impacts of cyclones, with new roads and infrastructure being built. 

There is an urgent need to record archaeological remains and heritage areas before they are destroyed.