The dawn would hit differently this Monday morning. After two years of waiting and preparation, a historic Commonwealth Heads of Government starts in our beautiful Samoa.

To the delegates and participants, on your journey from the airport to your accommodations, you would have seen villages flying different flags and welcoming different nations. The villages have adopted those countries and become host villages. Some did not know that such countries existed but were more than eager to show what it means in the Samoan culture to host a guest.

These villages have spent thousands of dollars to ensure the best representation of their host nation, and the villages are more than presentable to every delegate involved in CHOGM. Samoa is a small island developing state, and its economy is small compared to most nations.

Despite this, no change has been spared to ensure that everyone is welcomed. Our economy is not as advanced as most nations and we hope that you will find in your hearts to forgive us for a few things that may have shortfalls.

The government has spent $40 million and there has been help from developing partners to make sure that this CHOGM is a special one. For Samoa, this is one of the biggest international events we are hosting.

The government has worked hard to prioritise the hosting of CHOGM. This event became the number one agenda item on the government's list that major infrastructure works and developments had been pushed back.

People were told that all other things would be looked at after CHOGM. Our national hospital may be falling apart and we may have a shortage of medical staff, but we have ensured that there is an ambulance, nurses and a doctor present at the 15 side events and four accommodation sites. We love to host people so much that we have agreed to cancel the weekly clinics at the national hospital for one week and are happy that there is only one ambulance to cater for the general population.

You will also discover that there is a shortage of teachers in this nation but that did not stop us from involving 400 teachers in CHOGM preparation. These teachers will be fully utilised in the week of the meeting. To ensure that children’s education is not impacted we have given schools a holiday.

The Samoa Police is being helped by its neighbours for the security of CHOGM guests. Some of these police officers would be working 12 to 24-hour shifts. Most will be away from their families for weeks. The police officers from the Pacific will work together so that every security requirement is fulfilled and you as the delegate feel safe and welcome in Samoa.

Our roads and other modern infrastructure are not as advanced as other places in the world but we will ensure that everything is done to make things as comfortable as it can be. We have improved the airport, built a new VIP lounge, put a hold on all ships calling into port to accommodate the cruise ship that will accommodate delegates, renovated major hotels, and focused on improving connectivity.

You will also find that there are few things that we have in Samoa, that you will not find anywhere else in the world. Our people are delighted and over the moon to host CHOGM. You will find the welcoming nature of the Samoan people unlike anywhere. The villages and their people will always have doors open for you.

People will always be eager to help you out. Once you are in Samoa, you will be treated like a family member. Many of the villages just want one thing in return, they are hoping that the countries they are hosting can pay them a little visit. This would be the icing on the cake.

Just two weeks ago, a New Zealand navy ship sank off the south coast of Upolu, the island where you all will be. The sink is still discharging fuel into the ocean and villages near the sinking site have been prohibited from fishing and going into the sea. For the government, the CHOGM is so important that work to reduce pollution and dives into the sunken ship has been halted for a week. I hope you understand the government’s need to have a successful CHOGM.

Villages on the south coast are more excited than any others. One of them has been given the privilege to host the British monarch and head of the Commonwealth King Charles III.

There will be very important discussions during this week. They will involve youth empowerment, improving gender equality, climate change discussions, trade, technology, health, economy and various other topics.

We hope that these discussions are inclusive and the communique at the end of the meeting by leaders from the 56 countries is beneficial to everyone.

Welcome to Samoa, soak in the sun, the hospitality and love of our people. Please take a walk around the town or drive to the rural side and mingle with the people who are eager to host you. Have a great meeting this week and make Samoa your home away from home.