H.E. Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru presented his credentials, as High Commissioner of Samoa to Canada to the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Friday 20, January 2023.

H.E. Ambassador Luteru conveyed to the Governor General the best wishes of the Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II and assured the Governor General of Samoa’s full support and cooperation with Canada in areas of mutual interest.

In her welcome remarks the Governor General stated “I encourage you to learn about Canada and its diverse people, especially our Indigenous peoples. Learn about our stories—the good and the bad—and discover the beauty of this land. Most of all, find ways to engage with us on the challenges we face. Listen to our ideas. In turn, we will get to know you, your people, your country, and your stories. Together, let us not just hope for a better world, let us work to achieve it.”

The Governor General further added “There is a word in Inuktitut: ajuinnata. It is very important in my language and is used often. It means a promise, a vow to never give up. It means committing ourselves to action, no matter how daunting the cause may be.”

H.E. Ambassador Luteru currently serves as the Permanent Representative of the Independent State of Samoa to the United Nations and Samoa’s Ambassador to the United States, a position he has held since 2021. Prior to his appointment he was the Ambassador of Samoa to the Kingdom of Belgium and other EU member States, the European Council, and the European Commission. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Canterbury, in New Zealand a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of New England, and a Doctorate in Philosophy from Flinders University in Australia. Ambassador Luteru is married to Pepe and has two children, Malu and Ian.