Taumeasina Island Resort, Tuesday 18 February 18:30pm
Talofa lava and good evening to you all.
I am happy to join you this evening to bid farewell to Mr. Themba Kalua, who has served with dedication and commitment as the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau.
Let me first of all acknowledge the successful conclusion of the Government of Samoa–UN Country Implementation Plan (CIP) Workshop today, which brought together government officials, UN agencies, and stakeholders to set the priorities for our cooperation over the next three years. I am grateful to all who contributed their time, expertise, and insights to this important process.
Mr. Kalua, your tenure has been marked by steadfast leadership in strengthening the partnership between Samoa and the United Nations. Your efforts have added to Samoa’s voice and priorities being heard in regional and global discussions; your advocacy has led to increased UN technical expertise and engagement in areas important to our national development.
Notably, your tenure, though shortened, has fostered a more coordinated and integrated UN engagement, aligning with the UN Secretary-General’s reform agenda, which Samoa has strongly supported.
I would like to highlight three significant achievements of your tenure:
1️. Advancing Samoa’s SDG Implementation & National Priorities through the joint UN technical support for the preparation of Samoa’s Third Voluntary National Review (VNR), which was successfully presented at the High-Level Political Forum last year.
Additionally, we appreciate your support for the SDG Acceleration Initiative which the UN launched last year to help drive targeted actions in climate action including NDC 3.0, food systems transformation, gender-based violence, non-communicable diseases and economic development. The joint programs launched have reinforced collaborative, high-impact solutions to some of our development challenges.
2. UN’s Support to CHOGM 2024.
Samoa’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October 2024 was a historic milestone. We thank you for your role in mobilizing and coordinating UN technical support to forums and events at CHOGM.
3. Hosting the UN Secretary-General in Samoa
Your leadership also ensured the successful hosting of the historic visit of the United Nations Secretary-General to Samoa last year. This visit reinforced the importance of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the global development agenda and reaffirmed Samoa’s role as a strong advocate for climate action, resilience, and sustainable development.
We are pleased to know that you will continue to influence the global agenda in ways that matter to Samoa and other SIDS in your new post.
Congratulations on your appointment as Director for the Pact for the Future Implementation in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General.
Samoa contributed to this landmark resolution, and we look forward to working with you in your new capacity to ensure that the unique challenges and aspirations of our region remain visible and well-supported at the highest levels of the UN.
We value our partnership with the United Nations, and I am confident that the Samoa UN Country Team will continue to build upon the strong foundation you and your predecessors have helped establish.
On behalf of the Government and people of Samoa, I would like to express my gratitude for your service to Samoa. We wish you all the very best and look forward to continuing our collaboration in your new role.
SOIFUA
