Samoa Independence Day PRESS STATEMENT ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE On behalf of the United States of America, I would like to congratulate all Samoans on the 60th anniversary of your independence on June 1. The close friendship between Samoa and the United States is rooted in our strong historical, cultural, economic, and people-to-people ties. Our longstanding …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 1 June, 2022 | Categories: Key Officials, News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: 60th anniversary, Samoa Independence Day, Secretary of State Blinken
Peace Corps Samoa is honored to take part in Samoa’s drive to ensure all residents are vaccinated against COVID-19. In early March, the Samoan government requested assistance from Peace Corps’ medical team in the government’s campaign to vaccinate children ages 5 to 11 years old. Peace Corps Samoa Country Director Gini Wilderson said that Peace …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 11 March, 2022 | Categories: News, Press Releases, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: COVAX, Peace Corps, Samoa, USAID
“It is an honor for the U.S. Embassy to be part of this cleaning and greening project for the district of Falealii 2, this is a living example of one constituency coming together to do their part to address the climate effects Samoa faces.” said Chargé Yoo. Chargé d’Affaires Jonathan Lee Yoo had the privilege …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 21 December, 2021 | Categories: Chargé D’Affaires, Environment, News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Samoa, Public Diplomacy Small Grants Scheme, Salani Bright Horizons In, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, SPREP, U.S. Department of State, UK in Samoa
On December 9th, Peace Corps Samoa’s staff, partner agencies, returned Peace Corps Volunteers, PCV counterparts, and friends came together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Peace Corps as an agency. Happy Anniversary, Peace Corps! Enjoy photos from this event, with more to come!
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 21 December, 2021 | Categories: News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Anniversary, Ministry of Education Sports and Culture Samoa, pcsamoa, Peace Corps
The White House March 22, 2021 Today the Biden administration launched the “Small and Less Populous Island Economies (SALPIE) Initiative,” an economic cooperation framework designed to strengthen U.S. collaboration with island countries and territories in the Caribbean, North Atlantic, and Pacific regions. The SALPIE Initiative signals the U.S. government’s prioritization of cooperation with these economies …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 26 March, 2021 | Categories: Environment, News, President of the United States, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: President Biden, SALPIE
The Embassy of the United States in Wellington announces an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2021 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni who reside in New Zealand, Samoa, The Cook Islands …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 22 December, 2020 | Categories: Alumni, Education, Environment, News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund
The U.S. Mission to Samoa honored six organizations and two individuals at a September 10 awards ceremony at the U.S. Embassy Residence in Vailima. The organizations received funding from the Embassy’s 2020 Public Diplomacy Grants program, while the individuals will be participating in U.S. Exchange Programs, such as the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Program. I. Public …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 7 October, 2020 | Categories: Chargé D’Affaires, News, Success Stories, U.S. & Samoa
After months of being closed, to adhere to the Government of Samoa’s State of Emergency Orders, we are back in business. We have reading and writing programs along with basic computer skills for Year 1 – Year 8. Check out these dates and learn more about America: August – November: Reading. Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, for years 1-8 …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 3 August, 2020 | Categories: American Spaces, Education, English Language Learning, News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: American Corner
The United States Embassy in Apia would like to inform the public that due to public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, effective immediately, regular consular services including but not limited to passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, notarial, and visa services are closed until further notice. In an emergency, we can assist …
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By Public Affairs Section | 8 March, 2020 | Categories: News, U.S. & Samoa, Visas | Tags: Visa, Visa Interview Week
2018 COMPETITION ANNOUNCEMENT. The United States South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP), authorized by the U.S. Congress and funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, is a competitive, merit-based scholarship program that provides opportunities for Master’s and Bachelor’s degree study at the University of Hawai‘i in fields that …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 27 September, 2018 | Categories: Education, News, Scholarships and Exchanges, Study in the U.S., U.S. & Samoa | Tags: eastwestcenter.org, South Pacific Scholarship, USSP
The Magiagi Primary School rugby teams will be hitting the field in style the rest of the season in new rugby jerseys direct from the USA. On behalf of Ambassador Scott Brown, U.S. Embassy Apia Charge d’Affaires, Tony Greubel presented the new jerseys to Principal Katalaina and both the junior and senior boys rugby teams. …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 31 August, 2018 | Categories: Chargé D’Affaires, News, Press Releases, Sports Diplomacy, U.S. & Samoa, Youth Diplomacy | Tags: Rugby
July 13 – 17. The U.S Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Scott Brown and Mrs Gail Brown visited Samoa last week to commemorate American Independence with a reception held at the U.S Residence in Vailima. Honored guests included Their Highnesses Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi & Masiofo Faamausili; the Prime Minister of Samoa, …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 25 July, 2018 | Categories: Culture, East Asia & Pacific, Education, Former Ambassadors, News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Independence Day, Magiagi Primary School, Samoa, Savaii
Earth Day is a day to raise awareness of current environmental challenges and celebrate progress in environmental protection over the past decades. On Earth Day 2018 we celebrate the ingenuity of those who are rising to the many challenges to protect our environment and natural heritage – here you’ll find just some of the many …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 19 April, 2018 | Categories: Business, Culture, Environment, News, Our Ocean, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Climate Change, Earth Day, NOAA, Samoa, WIBDI
Calling Scholars: Apply for a fully funded 2018 exchange program in the United States Apply by Friday, January 12, 2018 at 5pm Samoa time online using the application form from educationusasamoa@state.gov What is the program about? Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars (SUSIs) are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 22 November, 2017 | Categories: Education, News, Scholarships and Exchanges, Study in the U.S., U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Samoa, Scholars, Scholarships and Exchanges, SUSI
Apply for a fully funded 2018 exchange program in the United States Apply by Friday, January 12, 2018 at 5pm Samoa time online using the application form from educationusasamoa@state.gov . What is the program about? The five-week Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 22 November, 2017 | Categories: Education, News, Scholarships and Exchanges, Study in the U.S., U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Education USA, SUSI
By Gail Brown, wife of US Ambassador Scott Brown. New Zealand and Samoa, known for their natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and thriving societies, was top of my husband’s list to serve our country as United States Ambassador abroad. New Zealand is home to some of the largest Pacific people’s diasporas, and a gate-way to South …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 15 September, 2017 | Categories: News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: #PacificWomen, Gail Brown, Pacific Women
Media Release. Savaia, on the southern coast of Upolu, will be recognized by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) as Samoa’s first Tsunami Ready community at a ceremony on June 20, 2017 at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), TATTE Building. Samoa is the first Pacific Island Country to implement the program. The …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 21 June, 2017 | Categories: News, Our Ocean, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: LEFAGA, SAVAIA, tsunami
Join us in welcoming Ambassador-Designate Scott Brown and his wife Gail. They are arriving in New Zealand shortly and wanted to introduce themselves. They hope to visit Samoa very soon. Watch this video to learn more about Ambassador-Designate Brown, his family and career, and why the partnership between the United States and Samoa is so …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 14 June, 2017 | Categories: Former Ambassadors, News, U.S. & Samoa
U.S. EMBASSY MEDIA RELEASE – April 6th, 2017. Today Lepea Primary School was presented with over 600 reading and reference books marking the first donation of the U.S. Embassy’s ‘Faitau = Atamai’ book drive for 2017. Working together to help facilitate the project is the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture, the Rotary Club of …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 6 April, 2017 | Categories: Art & Culture, News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: books, Lepea Primary School
This week Nobesity Samoa launched its “Sugar Crush Week” – one of the eight projects funded through U.S. Embassy Apia’s 2016 Public Diplomacy Small Grants scheme. The aim of the partnership between Nobesity Samoa and U.S. Embassy is directed at using approaches and methodologies already used by Nobesity Samoa but at a wider scale. …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 19 January, 2017 | Categories: Chargé D’Affaires, Child and Family Matters, Education, News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Ambassador Gilbert, Chargé d’ Affaires Ms. Angelina Wilkinson, Nobesity Samoa, Samoa
By Public Affairs staff, U.S. Embassy, Apia. In early December 2016 Ambassador Mark Gilbert and his wife Nancy made their final official visit to Samoa. While it was a time to bring closure to their official duties, the trip was also business as usual. The Ambassador and Nancy laid the groundwork for current projects to …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 13 January, 2017 | Categories: Education, Environment, Former Ambassadors, Former U.S. Government Leaders, News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Ambassador Gilbert, Ambassador Mark Gilbert, and Civic Aid, Barack Obama, Disaster, Faitau = Atamai, Faleolo Medical Center, Linda Esposto, Nancy Gilbert, Overseas Humanitarian, Rotary Club of Apia, Saanapu Primary School, Safata College, Sataoa Primary
Twenty new United States Peace Corps Volunteers were sworn in on Friday, December 9th, as a final step before moving into villages to begin their two year assignments. At the request of the government of Samoa, these 20 Volunteers will work in Samoan primary schools to help Samoan students improve their English literacy skills. The …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 19 December, 2016 | Categories: News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Ambassador Gilbert, Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio, United States Peace Corps
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Angelina Wilkinson was present to officially open the 10th Annual Forum and the first ever Fa’afafine (Transgenders) week since the establishment of the Samoa Fa’afafine Association (SFA). Samoa Fa’afafine Organization (SFA) is a non-profit incorporated society that promotes the rights and interests of Fa’afafine in Samoa. Historically, SFA has been the sole …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 16 December, 2016 | Categories: News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Ambassador Gilbert, SFA, U.S. Embassy Apia’s 2016 Public Diplomacy Small Grants
U.S. Embassy Apia media release. Twenty one Americans arrived in Samoa on Tuesday, joining a select group of citizens who have come to Samoa to serve as Peace Corps Volunteers. More than 2000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Samoa since 1967, providing small scale technical assistance and building cross-cultural ties. The new Volunteers were welcomed …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 5 October, 2016 | Categories: Deputy Chief of Mission, News, Press Releases, Public Affairs, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Acting Chargé d'Affaires Lynda Hinds, Ambassador Gilbert, Peace Corps, Peace Corps Country Director Dr. Sherry Russell, Peace Corps Volunteers, Samoa
On August 24th Chargé d’Affaires Angelina Wilkinson opened Samoa Family Health Association’s (SFHA) U.S. funded ‘Train the Trainers’ workshop in Sapapalii, Savaii. Samoa Family Health was one of the awardees of the U.S. Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Small Grants Scheme in 2015. This funding is to enable Samoa Family Health to bring their Mobile Health Clinics …
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By U.S.Embassy Samoa | 25 August, 2016 | Categories: Education, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Chargé d’Affaires Angelina Wilkinson, Samoa, Sapapalii, Savaii, Train the Trainers
Media Release, U.S. Embassy Samoa. A U.S. Science Envoy is in Apia July 28 and 29 to engage government, civil society, and academics on a range of oceans issues such as Marine Protected Area (MPA) management, ocean acidification and marine pollution, and deep sea mining, as well as overall environment and climate challenges. Leading this …
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By Public Affairs Section | 26 July, 2016 | Categories: Environment, News, Our Ocean, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: acidification, Climate Change, Climate Response Fund, deoxygenation, Dr. Leinen, Marine Protected Area, U.S. Science Envoy
Guest blog post by Bobby Carney, Fulbright-Clinton Fellow. “In Samoa, there is no individual health. There is only community health, because we are all connected. That is the Fa’asamoa (the Samoan way).” The director of my division at Samoa’s Ministry of Health advised me as we discussed the health indicator data for 2015 to plan new …
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By Mike Cousins | 15 June, 2016 | Categories: News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: AIDS, Bobby Carney, Fa’asamoa, Fulbright-Clinton Fellow, Ministry of Health, National HIV, New Jersey, Rutgers University, Samoa, STI, Tuberculosis Program
By Public Affiars staff, U.S. Embassy Samoa. Dance group, iLuminate, recently visited Samoa as part of the U.S. Department of State -Cultural Envoy Exchange program . iLuminate is a New York performing arts group that combines dance, hip hop, and technology to create a unique blend of science and art. ILuminate had an amazing day with Sili, Gataivai and Gautavai primary schools in Savaii doing performances …
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By Mike Cousins | 20 May, 2016 | Categories: Art & Culture, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Cultural Envoy Exchange program, dance, hip hop, iLuminate
Cyclone Amos – Reminder..all Americans to register with STEP. We are closely monitoring Cyclone Amos and encourage all Americans to ensure that their information is up to date in STEP: https://step.state.gov . Please monitor the Disaster Management Office – Samoa and the Samoa Meteorological Service Facebook pages for situational updates.
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By Mike Cousins | 23 April, 2016 | Categories: Messages for U.S. Citizens, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Cyclone Amos, Samoa Meteorological Service, STEP
The U.S. Embassy Apia announces a funding opportunity of up to $35,000 USD (Samoa only) or $65,000 USD (regional) for projects in the realm of Environment, Science, Technology, and Health. Eligibility is limited to non-profit/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) within Samoa, or regional bodies that include Samoa in its mandate. Proposals should demonstrate creativity, substance, and relevance …
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By Mike Cousins | 18 February, 2016 | Categories: East Asia & Pacific, Environment, News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Environment, funding, Health, Samoa, Science, Technology
Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Samoa Today Aele Primary School was presented with 25 boxes of reading, math, and science textbooks, marking the first donation of the U.S. Embassy’s ‘Faitau = Atamai’ book drive. Together with the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture, the Rotary Club of Apia, and Peace Corps, over a dozen schools around …
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By Mike Cousins | 4 February, 2016 | Categories: English Language Learning, News, Success Stories, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Angelina Wilkinson, Brother’s Brother Foundation, Culture, Embassy Apia, Ministry of Education, Peace Corps, Pittsburgh, Rotary Club Apia, Samoa, Sports, Today Aele Primary School, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Angelina Wilkinson
The recent visit of U.S. Ambassador Mark Gilbert and Mrs. Gilbert to the beautiful isles of Samoa came during a particularly special holiday season of sharing and community. Upon arrival, Ambassador Gilbert and his wife Nancy spent time reading to local children at the Nelson Memorial Library American Corner. This was part of the ‘Faitau …
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By Public Affairs Section | 21 December, 2015 | Categories: East Asia & Pacific, Former Ambassadors, Former U.S. Government Leaders, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Apia, Barack Obama, John Kerry, Nancy Gilbert, Nelson Memorial Library American Corner, Pacific-American Climate Fund, Peace Corps, Samoa, Savaii, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Ambassador Mark Gilbert, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers, Upolu, USAID
PRESS RELEASE – December 11, 2015. The 87th group of United States Peace Corps Volunteers was sworn in on Friday, November 21st as twenty-one Peace Corps Trainees took the final step before moving into villages to begin their two year assignments. The volunteers just completed an intensive 10-week Pre-Service Training and will now move to …
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By Mike Cousins | 11 December, 2015 | Categories: East Asia & Pacific, Former Ambassadors, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Apia, Honorable Associate Minister of Education, Peace Corps, Peace Corps Volunteers, Samoa, Savaii, Sports and Culture, Tu’u’u Anisi’i Leota
A shipping container with over 400 boxes of reading, math, and science books has arrived in Apia, all the way from Pittsburgh, PA, with support from Brother’s Brother Foundation in Pittsburgh and the Rotary Club of Apia . The textbooks are a donation to the Samoan Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture (MESC).
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By Mike Cousins | 24 November, 2015 | Categories: East Asia & Pacific, Public Affairs, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: and Culture, MESC, PA, Pittsburgh, Rotary Club of Apia, Samoan Ministry of Education, Sports
By Michael Cousins, Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Wellington Yes, we have a brand new website! Have a look around! The new-look website has seven sections representing broad topics that may be of interest to you. The sections are broken down further into sub-categories to assist you in finding specific information. The Seven Sections are: Visas – …
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By Mike Cousins | 12 November, 2015 | Categories: News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: blog, new website, Samoa, website
By the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Apia. A Grantee Gathering was held on Friday, October 16, 2015 at the U.S. Embassy Residence Vailima for the Organizations that received funding from U.S. Embassy Apia’s 2015 Public Diplomacy Grants. Embassy Apia’s Public Diplomacy Grants Program is a competitive program that offers small grants, from WST$5,000-$15,000, to …
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By Mike Cousins | 4 November, 2015 | Categories: East Asia & Pacific, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: 2015 Public Diplomacy Grants, Angelina Wilkinson, Chargé d’ Affaires Ms. Angelina Wilkinson, Nelson Memorial Library, Samoa Alliance of Media Practitioners for Development, Samoa Family Health Association, Samoa National Youth Council, Samoa Victims Support Group, Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS), SNYC, Temukisa Faumuina, The Katinas, U.S. Embassy Apia, UN Women, Vailima
By U.S. Embassy Public Affairs team, Samoa. Embassy Apia Celebrates 4th of July. Over 150 years ago the United States established consular relations with Samoa. Our strong relationship with Samoa is based on ties of family, faith and a wonderfully vibrant government to government partnership. Our countries are united by our shared democratic values and …
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By Mike Cousins | 6 July, 2015 | Categories: East Asia & Pacific, Former Ambassadors, News, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: 4th of July, Aiga Folau, Ambassador Gilbert, Apia, Fealofani Bruun, Gaualofa, Hawaii, Independence Day Celebration 2015, National Health Service (NHS), Samoa, Samoan Voyaging Society, Shriners Hospital, Tuasivi Hospital
By U.S. Ambassador, Mark Gilbert. The long wait was finally over when Nancy, Liz and I touched down at Faleolo Airport on the evening of Mother’s Day. After months of research and anticipation, I was very excited to finally visit the beautiful island country of Samoa and officially receive my accreditation as U.S. Ambassador to …
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By Mike Cousins | 16 June, 2015 | Categories: East Asia & Pacific, Former Ambassadors, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Embassy Apia, Exclusive Economic Zone, Faleolo Airport, Future Leaders Of The Pacific, His Honor Patu Tiavaasue F. Sapolu, Honorable Prime Minister Tuilaepa, Honorable Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Inc., International Military Education and Training, International Visitor Leadership Program, Maritime Law Enforcement “Shiprider”, Mark Gilbert, Matuaileoo Environmental Trust, METI, PACAM, Samoa, Sua Ocean Trench, U.S. Ambassador to Samoa, USAID Pacific American Climate Fund
By U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Mark Gilbert. On my arrival to Samoa, I’d like to offer warm Pacific greetings and to share a few words about the strong relationship between our two countries. I am honored to have been chosen by President Barack Obama – our nation’s first Pacific Island president – …
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By Mike Cousins | 19 May, 2015 | Categories: East Asia & Pacific, Former Ambassadors, Former U.S. Government Leaders, U.S. & Samoa | Tags: Barack Obama, Chargé d’Affaires, Coast Guard, Pacific region, Peace Corps, People of Samoa, Peter Ganser, Samoa, U.S. Ambassador Mark Gilbert, USAID