Lau afioga i le Ao Mamalu o le Malo ma le Masiofo
Lau afioga i le Sui o le Fono a Sui Tofia
Afifio mai le maualuga o le Tafatolu o le Malo Tutoatasi o Samoa
Lau afioga i le Ulu o Toelau
Lau afioga i le Loia Sili o le Malo o Tutuila ma Manu’a
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Faauluuluga o Matagaluega, Faalapotopotoga, Vaega Tumaoti ma Pisinisi
Le paia maualuga o Samoa i ona tulaga faalupe ua o tatou mafuta faatasi.
Ae ‘matau lava i le Atua ma lona finagalo, aua le paia o le aufaigaluega totofi a le Atua.
E toe fia avea lenei laolao ou te momoli atu ai le faafetai tele mo le avanoa ua o tatou aleaga ma talisua faatasi ai, mo le samiina o le 62 tausaga o le Malo Tutoatasi o Samoa.
O le agaga maualuga ia te au nei ma le Malo, ia so’oso’o ma vanivani ia mapo, lo tatou faiva i so’o se tofiga ma taleni ua o tatou galulue ai, mo le manuia o Samoa ma ona tagata. Ma e le mamae pe mou lo tatou tofi na foaiina mai e le Atua mo Samoa e ala i lo tatou Malo Tutoatasi. O le mea lea, tatou te tepa ai pea i le to’o ma tagai i le ata, aua e na ona tatou fuafua ma faatatau, a o le Atua, e topule ma faataunuu.
O fuafuaga foi mo le lumanai manuia o si o tatou atunuu, ua taoto lava i lagotonu. A o le fua taualuga o ia fuafuaga, o lo tatou maopopoga ma le so’oso’o tauau i le galuega. O lo outou sao ma so matou foi sao, tatou malolosi ai e alo i luma le sa o Samoa.
E le mavae matagi i liu o va’a, aua e feagai pea tatou ma luitau o le soifuaga aemaise lo tatou i ai i aafiaga ogaoga o luitau tetele ua feagai nei ma le lalolagi. Ui i lea, tatou te molimau pea, o loo soifua le Atua, o lo tatou faavae papa. O ia na te faapalepale mai.
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Once again, I thank you all for joining us in the celebration of Samoa’s 62nd independence anniversary. As with all anniversary celebrations, it is a reminder to us of the many years past that we have journeyed through, savoring successes and reflecting on what can be done to respond to persistent challenges.
I have just returned from the 4th International Conference for Small islands developing states like Samoa held in Antigua and Barbuda. Leaders from across the SIDS regions petitioned for greater equity, for the international community to see us, as a group of countries whose unique vulnerability warrants treatment as a special case for sustainable development.
All spoke about a world where economic growth and well-being ought to be sustained and our economies are robust, diversified, adaptable and able to withstand shocks, ensuring social equity, and promoting environmental sustainability.
SIDS were also reminded that the next ten years are critical for them and that the challenges to their development can only be diminished by a reinvigorated enabling environment that gives meaningful effect to their sustainable development.
Samoa as chair of the Alliance of Small Islands states firmly advocated that actions to date have not been enough. The world is often too slow to act or failed to act at all. It is imperative to recollect SIDS remain a special case for sustainable development; reaffirm that action costs little but inaction can cost much; and recommit to grand ideas where countries, small or large, are all deserving.
Last week small islands developing states gathered in a unity of purpose and commitment calling the world to bold decisions and action
Today we are gathered to confirm that national unity is strength and resilience. Our common destiny remains within sight when bound to durable and genuine partnerships. And that a better world is possible and where the idea of our resilient development is not farfetched
Ladies and Gentlemen
I ask you all to charge your glasses. I propose a toast “to unity and resilient prosperity.” Happy Independence celebrations!
Ia manuia – Soifua.
Photo by Government of Samoa (Jasmine Netzler-Iose)
