Head of State, Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II, has proclaimed a ban on construction on Sunday and a national period of prayer and fasting, beginning Sunday and running through 16 January.

The proclamation, endorsed at the request of Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, the cabinet and church leaders, also mandates weekly prayers and fasting every Wednesday across government ministries, corporations and statutory bodies. It further reinforces a ban on construction and similar works on Sundays, except for essential services and operations related to national security.

In the declaration, the Head of State cited Samoa’s constitutional foundations, its official motto and the impact of natural disasters and climate-related events on the country’s environment and development.

The full declaration, as proclaimed by the Head of State, was read out by Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (MPMC) at the Government Prayer House.

“In the holy name of God, the almighty, the ever-loving. Whereas sovereignty over the universe belongs to the omnipresent God alone.

Whereas the leaders and the people of Samoa, in full acceptance of this eternal truth, have declared in the Constitution that our nation should be founded on Christian principles and that we have adopted as the official motto of Samoa the declaration, ‘Samoa is founded on God.’

Whereas the Prime Minister and cabinet and the church leaders of Samoa, in reaffirming the supreme authority of the just government of the almighty God, have requested the Head of State to designate and proclaim a period of national prayers and fasting in the country.

Whereas the leaders and the people of Samoa must always remember and profess the never-changing love, the mercy and guidance of the almighty God in good times and in difficult times.

Whereas it is the duty of the leaders and the people of Samoa to bow down before God in humility, to confess their sins and transgressions and to pray for mercy and pardon with sincerity and heartfelt repentance.

Whereas it is the duty of the leaders and the people of Samoa to pray at all times for the blessings of the almighty God on their country and on ourselves.

Whereas the land, the forest, the animals, the birds, the seas and the living things therein — the gifts of our God in the environment — have been greatly damaged by cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and changes in the weather, and have affected the development of Samoa.

Now, therefore, I, Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II, Head of State, proclaim as follows:

That the period starting on the 11th of January, which is today, Sunday, to the 16th of January, 2026, shall be observed as a time of prayers and fasting in Samoa.

Prayers and fasting shall continue every week on Wednesdays by government ministries, corporations and statutory offices, commencing with combined fasting in the morning and to close with a prayer service in the evening at this house, the government prayer house.

Works such as construction will be prohibited on Sundays, except for essential services and operations for the security of the country.

Given under His hand and the public seal of the Independent State of Samoa on this day.

Signed: Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II, Head of State.”

The proclamation takes effect immediately, with Sunday marking the first day of the national observance.