80TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2025

Samoa’s Participation At The High Level Week Of The Eightieth Session Of The General Assembly Of The United Nations, New York

[PRESS RELEASE 22-30 September 2025] – The Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo led Samoa’s delegation to the High Level Week of the Eightieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 22 to 29 September 2025. The theme for the 80th session is “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights” highlighting the need for member states and partners to work in unity and solidarity for collective actions in order to achieve these global goals.

Samoa’s delegation to the UNGA80 included the Good Lady of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Samoa to the United Nations in NY, Ambassador of Samoa to Brussels/High Commissioner to the Commonwealth, the Assistant CEO, Protocol MFAT and the staff of the Samoa Mission to the United Nations, New York.

Samoa participated in the first two (2) days at the meetings of the Commonwealth, held at the margins of the UN General Assembly from 21 to 22 September 2025. The first meeting was the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) a select 8 member committee, including Samoa (ex officio) The group assesses concerns where Commonwealth fundamental political values are at risk .such as the unjustified postponement of elections, egregious violations of human rights and territorial integrity, the undermining of the judiciary, lack of space for the opposition, and systematic constraints on civil society and the media.

The 25th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) on 22 September was chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Toelupe; Samoa being the Chair in office of the Commonwealth. The session reviewed progress on mandates from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting held in Samoa in 2024 and discussed preparations for the next CHOGM to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2026, received the report of the Secretary General on reforms and strategic priorities for the Commonwealth as well as discuss country situations of concern.

The two back-to-back meetings provided a platform for the Foreign Ministers to discuss how the Commonwealth countries and the secretariat can work together to further the mandate of the Commonwealth. This was Secretary-General Botchwey’s first CFAMM meeting at which her report on her strategic priorities for the organisation was discussed, putting it in a critical position to shape the direction of the next 5 years for the commonwealth.

The Deputy Prime Minister and delegation attended and actively participated in the various meetings during the High Level Week including the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations, an event at which the member states reflected on the achievements and challenges of the past eight decades as well as looking ahead to a more inclusive and responsive multilateral organization.

Samoa also attended the High level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the High Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable diseases and Promotion of mental health and well-being, which are priorities for Samoa. The Deputy Prime Minister also delivered a statement at the High Level Meeting to Commemorate and Promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. This event is a standing engagement for Samoa annually at the high level week showing our solidarity and stance of a nuclear free Pacific region.

In addition to the High Level Events of UNGA, Samoa’s delegation also attended Pacific organised events including the AOSIS meeting- the Pacific led event to advocate for the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), round table for increased and accessible climate finance in tandem with the special circumstances of the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific region.

The PRF roundtable talanoa session was also the opportunity to secure commitments and reaffirm financial pledges for the Facility.

Samoa through the Deputy Prime Minister also delivered remarks at the Pacific Leaders- EU Meeting on the SAMOA Agreement and Pacific regional protocol, which were signed in Apia in November 2023.

The Pacific-UN Secretary General bilateral is an annual event for the Pacific Leaders to meet with the UN-SG to discuss the Pacific region’s priorities and pertinent matters to the Pacific Island Countries in partnership with United Nations, reaffirm commitment to work together and deepen cooperation in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent for a resilient and prosperous Pacific.

The culmination of the high level week was the delivery of Samoa’s national statement at the General Debate plenary on Friday 26 September. joining other world leaders in highlighting priority issues requiring urgent actions towards the implementation of the sustainable development agenda against a complex myriad of interconnected global challenges. Hon Toelupe reaffirmed Samoa’s full support towards the mandate of the new President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly and welcomed the Secretary General’s UN80 initiative. Highlighted priorities included the realities of climate change in the Pacific region, the conservation and management of our oceans, economic development, peace and security as well as human rights.

In conclusion, Hon Toelupe urged the leaders and partners to work together for global action, cooperation and strengthened partnership, emphasizing that “We must choose courage over caution, cooperation over indifference, and delivery over delay.”

A copy of Samoa’s national statement is attached.

Bilateral meetings were also held with the Foreign Minister of the Philippines to discuss matters of mutual interest including the existing and possible cooperation and candidatures for the upcoming UN elections and with the new Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Hon Shirley Botchwey to discuss future engagements of the Chair in Office up to November 2026..

Contrary to local media reports, there was no voting or discussion of any resolutions during the UNGA High Level week.

The Deputy Prime Minister and delegation arrived back in Samoa on Monday 29 September 2025.

END.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade