The National University of Samoa (N.U.S) was the venue of a very special event on Monday night.

It was where 122 delegates of the 39th Annual Meeting of the Association of Development Financing Institutions for Asia and the Pacific (A.D.F.I.A.P) were welcomed the Samoan way, enjoying traditional performances and a taste of Samoan cuisine. 

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, welcomed the delegates and congratulated the hosts for bringing such an important meeting here. “The fact that the meeting is being hosted by three organisations that are led by women is just amazing,” he said.

“It showcases that our country is taking a huge step forward in promoting gender equalities and equal opportunities for both gender.”

The event was extra special for all the members of A.D.F.I.A.P were recognised for the work they’ve been doing for the past year. 

Awards were given out to different members who have done well and achieved a lot since the last annual meeting. And Samoa was also one of the few countries who received awards on that night.  The three organisations hosting the meeting all won three Merits Awards.

They are Samoa Housing Corporation (S.H.C), Development Bank of Samoa (D.B.S) and the Samoa National Provident Fund (S.N.P.F). 

The Development Bank of Samoa won the merit award in the area of Small Business Enterprise on their Development Partnership with Small Business Enterprise Center (S.B.E.C). 

In receiving the award, the Chief Executive Officer of D.B.S, Susana Laulu thanked A.D.F.I.A.P for recognising their work. She extended her gratitude to S.B.E.C for assisting them with their projects. Lastly, she thanked her hardworking staff for their efforts.

The Samoa National Provident Fund won the merit Award in the area of Financial Inclusion. 

Sa’u Taupisi Fa’amau received the Award on behalf of the C.E.O and staff of S.N.P.F. 

And the Samoa Housing Corporation won the Merit Award in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility. The C.E.O of the Samoa Housing Corporation, Mata’utia Rula Levi and Tuilaepa Eti Faolotoi, Chairman of S.H.C received the Award.