American Samoa’s new Governor, Pula Nikolau Pula and Ulu o Toelau, Esera Fofo Tuisano will be Samoa’s special guests during the 63^rd independence anniversary celebration. 

The independence commemoration starts on Sunday, 1 June, with a church service at the Mulivai Cathedral led by the National Council of Churches (NCC). 

Chairman of the Independence Committee and Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo confirmed the brief programme and its details. 

Agafili confirmed the attendance of the special guests in a press conference on Monday, sitting alongside other committee members, Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo and Fire Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga. 

The actual celebration will kick off on Monday 2 June, which is also the public holiday where schools, government ministries and entities are amongst those participating in the march. 

Held in front of the Fiame Mataafa Faumuina Mulinuu II building, the march will take place after the hoisting of the flag by one of the members of the Council of Deputies. 

The change of venue for the celebration is due to ongoing construction in front of the Parliament House in Mulinuu. 

Agafili stressed there will be no cultural celebration or other activities for this year as the government reserves grand celebrations for milestone years. 

This is part of the changes implemented in recent years in scaling down the celebration preparations for the next grand celebration in 2027, when Samoa celebrates its 65^th anniversary.

Auapaau, who heads security for independence, told the media there will be a road closure in some parts of Apia, particularly around where the march will be taking place from 4 am to 9 am on 2 June. 

He added that should the march finish early, the temporary road closure will also be lifted earlier than the proposed time. 

Tanuvasa is taking charge of organising the march and has urged schools, the government and groups that intend to participate to register now until 31 May. 

He asked participants to provide key information such as school roll, milestones they have achieved, to assist the organising committee with their preparations. 

The police band will entertain the public and guests after the march before the flag is lowered later on in the evening.