Fiame Naomi Mata'afa

A statement said Starkist Samoa Company's General Manager Injoo Ha met with the Samoa PM on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

“The award was presented on September 1, 2023, at Starkist Samoa Company's 60th anniversary celebrations in American Samoa. However, due to other commitments, the Prime Minister was unable to attend.”

Mr. Ha was presented with the limited edition 60-tala banknote commemorating Samoa's 60 years of independence by PM Mata’afa.

The Samoa Observer reports Alalatoa Rosella Viane-Papalii has been found guilty of using insulting words directed at the Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, but had 17 charges of harassment using an electronic device dismissed.

In considering the offending, the court placed weight on the $10,000 tālā fine imposed by the village of Fa'ala Palauli.

Her prior good character, personal circumstances, and being a mother and grandmother were also taken into consideration as she was handed a three-month suspended sentence.

Addressing the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York on behalf of AOSIS, PM Fiame said world leaders have to leave nationalism behind and urgently put action to the rhetoric they have been propagating for the past eight years.

"Climate change, the global financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions have taught us that we are even more closely connected than we wish to acknowledge, and that choices made on one end have far and wide reaching devastating impacts on those of us who are many, many miles away.

Addressing the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York on behalf of AOSIS, PM Fiame said world leaders have to leave nationalism behind and urgently put action to the rhetoric they have been propagating for the past eight years.

"Climate change, the global financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions have taught us that we are even more closely connected than we wish to acknowledge, and that choices made on one end have far and wide reaching devastating impacts on those of us who are many, many miles away.

The Commission recommends merging the Lotofaga and Lepa constituencies.

Opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is the member for Lepā and said he was concerned about the proposal which would pitt him against Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa.

The Samoa Observer reports the Commission's report is currently being reviewed by the Standing Orders Parliamentary Committee with its recommendations yet to go before the House.

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa made the following statement in her speech for the International Yoga Day at the Matagialalua Friendship Park, today.

Mata’afa said “These international days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.”

Fiame Naomi Mataafa made the remarks last night as she welcomed the secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna, to Apia.

Fiame said Samoa strongly believes in being part of the Blue Pacific that is free from military competition, and a Pacific that remains free from unrest and war that affects many other parts of the globe.

"More than ever, there is increased interest and jostling for attention in our blue Pacific region thus creating a very crowded and complex geopolitical landscape for all of us, and our regional architecture," she said.

Fiame  said “We note Fiji’s progress in the about to be launched Fiji National Action to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls, and how they have used a ‘whole of government’ and ‘whole of country’ approach.”

“These among other examples, demonstrate that we can find the answers, and remedial solutions to this problem.”

Fiji is hosting the Pacific Prevention Summit Intercontinental this week.

Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said Samoa has zero tolerance on violence against women and girls and that such practices are against our culture.

In a statement made virtually at the Pacific Prevention Summit in Fiji, Fiame said the current global statistic is 1 in 3 but the Pacific is 2 in 3, which makes the Pacific one of the regions with the highest levels of violence against women and girls in the world.

“It is important that both service provision and prevention efforts are maintained as they are considered imperatives to end violence against women and girls.”

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said more needed to be done to combat climate change as she called on the government to ensure regional perspectives remained on the agenda.

"The best example of that is an opportunity for ensuring civic participation - either by sponsorship or using your airplanes just to get us around," she told the Lowy Institute on Monday.

"Also helping refine the message, taking the message to other forums that the Pacific doesn't necessarily have a voice at."