U.S. Ambassador to Samoa, Mr. Tom Udall July 4th Remarks DCM Residence, Vailima (July 5th , 2024)

Thank you, Pastor Fata for your thoughtful prayer. It is a great reminder to always be thankful for all that we have and are yet to receive.

Your Highness the Head of State, and Masiofo

Your Excellency, Council of Deputies, and your good lady,

Honorable Prime Minister, Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, and Honorable Cabinet Ministers,

Honorable Chief Justice and the Judiciary,

Honorable Speaker of Parliament,

Honorable Members of Parliament,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Talofa lava and good afternoon.

Before I begin my remarks, I'd like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all the generous donors who contributed to the success of this evening.

To McDonald's Family Restaurant; Ford Samoa; South Pacific Distributors Incorporated in American Samoa; and Cost U Less - American Samoa. Your support has helped create a memorable event that brings our community together and fosters a deep sense of patriotism and unity.

Jill and I are thrilled to be here in Samoa with all of you to celebrate the 248th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.

The 4th of July, our Independence Day, is a time for Americans to reflect on the values that have shaped our nation. It is a day to honor the courage and vision of our founding fathers, who, 248 years ago, set forth a new path of governance by the people, for the people. In the words of the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

As we stand here in Samoa, thousands of miles from the shores where those historic events unfolded, we are reminded of the universal nature of these values. The values of freedom, equality, and justice are likewise enshrined in the Samoan Constitution, reflecting a profound respect for the dignity and rights of all individuals. Our shared commitment to these principles strengthens the bond between our nations and our peoples.

The United States and Samoa have enjoyed a strong friendship and close partnership throughout our histories, from recognizing Samoan independence in 1962, to establishing diplomatic relations in 1971, followed by the establishment of the U.S. Embassy in Apia in 1988, to today. It has been my great honor to witness this relationship deepen and flourish during my time as Ambassador to Samoa. This past year has been remarkable for the U.S.-Samoa relationship and our Pacific connections. Over the last twelve months, the U.S. has shown its commitment through sustained engagements. The United States will always be here as a partner to Samoa, rain or shine.

In our continued commitment to the Government of Samoa, we have recommenced the Soifua Manuia Medical Mission, now in its third iteration, providing essential medical support from the United States. This initiative signifies our enduring partnership with Samoa in delivering crucial healthcare services to its people. During the recent April mission, our dedicated team had the privilege of caring for over 5,000 patients.

We deeply appreciate the collaboration with the Ministry of Health, National University of Samoa's School of Medicine, Oceania University of Medicine, and the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority.

USAID continues to play a vital role in disaster response for the U.S. government, investing in Samoa's Disaster Management Office (DMO) to enhance disaster preparedness planning. We highly value our partnership with the DMO and MNRE colleagues in Samoa. Through USAID Climate Ready project, over $22 million dollars have been mobilized with UNDP and other partners to sustainably manage Samoa's natural resources.

During my April visit, I launched the WE RISE project, a two-year initiative in Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. Managed by Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Samoa in collaboration with local entities, WE RISE aims to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene access for 12,000 people in disaster-prone communities.

Last July, the Second Gentleman of the United States announced a USAID investment of USD $2.6 million for disaster risk reduction and preparedness in Samoa and other Pacific countries. This year, we are making good progress and discussing implementation with relevant government stakeholders.

This year, we were honored to host U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Linda L. Fagan, who came to strengthen cooperation with the Government of Samoa and enhance ties with SPREP. Her visit marked the first by a U.S. Coast Guard Commandant to Samoa, highlighting our shared commitment to maritime safety, environmental protection, and bilateral cooperation in the Pacific.

Following her visit, the U.S. and Samoa signed an addendum to the existing 2012 Bilateral Agreement, to work together countering illicit maritime activities, supporting marine ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods.

The Coast Guard continues to assist Samoa through initiatives like our ship and air rider programs, which are conducted in coordination with Maritime Police and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to ensure Samoan laws are followed in Samoa's waters, strengthening our partnerships with Samoa's law enforcement and border agencies, and promoting safety and security in the region.

The USS Jackson visited Samoa during the 2023 Pacific Partnership (PP23), an annual mission by the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet in cooperation with regional governments, humanitarian groups, and NGOs. Each year, we join host and partner nations to enhance regional collaboration, improve disaster response, strengthen security, and build lasting friendships in the Pacific.

We collaborated with the Ministry of Police, Prisons, and Corrections Services, the Ministry of Health, the Animal Protection Society, the Livestock Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and held successful Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief seminars with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's Disaster Management Office.

In July 2023, the Government of Samoa and the Nevada National Guard signed a Declaration of Partnership to collaborate on disaster preparedness, humanitarian assistance, climate change response, search and rescue, law enforcement, and professional development. This year, we continued our discussions and conducted our first joint engagement, highlighting our shared commitment to a more peaceful and secure world.

We successfully hosted the Young Pacific Leaders Regional Workshop in Samoa, focusing on Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights, with 35 participants from 17 Pacific nations, including Samoa.

Since 1967, Peace Corps volunteers have been dedicated to serving Samoa. In the upcoming week, we will welcome another cohort of Peace Corps volunteers who will serve Samoan communities in grassroots education development in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture. The Peace Corps mission here is that of love, peace, and friendship, and I can't think of a better place for that than here in Samoa, where a total stranger can feel at home in minutes.

In a world where interconnectivity is paramount, music serves as a universal language that unites people, transcending cultural and linguistic differences. During my last visit to Samoa, we celebrated International Jazz Day at our residence. The event, themed "Journey of Jazz," featured performances by the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Band alongside talented local artists and bands.

These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our team in Apia, who have played a crucial role in fostering these partnerships. Please join me in applauding Noriko and the Embassy Apia team for their exceptional contributions to our successes.

Looking ahead, I am excited about the future of our partnerships and the significant achievements we will accomplish together in the years ahead. However, today marks a bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to someone who has been instrumental in our many successes. Throughout her tenure, she has tirelessly worked to advance the U.S. mission in Samoa and our shared goals of enhancing healthcare, education, and equal opportunities for all citizens.

To my Deputy Chief of Mission, also known as Chargé d'Affaires Noriko Horiuchi, I applaud your hard work, resilience, and steadfast dedication over the past two years. It has been a privilege to work alongside you. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in acknowledging Noriko for her exceptional contributions.

Before I conclude my remarks, I would like to propose a toast to the partnership between Samoa and the United States.

"To the enduring friendship between the Independent State of Samoa and the United States of America."

Faafetai lava and Soifua!

SOURCE - US Embassy Apia, Samoa

July 17, 2024

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.