About 20 Samoan nationals convicted and jailed in American Samoa's correctional facility have been sent back to Samoa as ordered by the courts in the territory.

This also comes from discussions and agreements as part of two Samoa talks. 

The ongoing collaboration between the Department of Legal Affairs and Samoa Consul General and Government officials resulted in the repatriation of the inmates. 

According to the fifth Atoa o Samoa Executive Meeting outcome statement, 19 inmates returned in 2023. 

From January to April 2024 at least 20 inmates have returned to Samoa, the outcome statement confirmed. 

In terms of border security, the two Samoa noted the welfare and safety of citizens is paramount in any national setting which premised discussion on the focal area. 

Priority K9 training opportunities have been offered to Samoa Custom’s K9 handlers as Samoa gets closer to hosting the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October. 

On health, the overarching objective to formalise commitments through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two Samoas to maximise the benefits of collaborative efforts in health and medicine was discussed. 

The talk also covers the inclusion of the exchange of specialised medical personnel and services and sharing health information.  

In the area of education, the meeting noted the pending approval of American Samoa Department of Education’s (A.S.D.O.E.) education standards by the Samoa Qualifications Authority (S.Q.A.). 

The meeting noted that the objective of the sector is to formalise commitments through the MOU between the A.S.D.O.E. and Samoa’s Ministry of Education and Culture (M.E.C.) and Ministry of Sports to maximise the benefits of collaborative efforts in education and sports including connecting people.