Aliioaiga Feturi Elisaia, Samoa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and current Chair of the 14 Pacific islands Forum Group with Missions to the United Nations in New York, delivered a statement on behalf of the group during the thematic discussion on Sustainable Development in the United Nations Economic and Financial Committee.
On the 20th September 2017, the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons was opened for signature. Samoa was one of the 50 States that signed the Treaty including three states that deposited their instruments of ratification. Almost a week later, on the 26th September 2017, the United Nations held a High-Level Meeting to commemorate and promote the international day for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was present and emphasized on the cooperation of member states to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum held their first meeting with new United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres on 22 September at the UN Headquarters, New York in the margins of the High-level week of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.
An early start at the United Nations Headquarters today saw leaders from around the world gather in the Trusteeship Council Chambers to witness and take part in the historical event of signing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The road to this day has not been easy and it was certainly not straight.
H.E. Antonio Guterres has been instrumental in his UN Reform Agenda since he became the United Nations Secretary-General late 2016. one of his key initiatives came about in the form of the "Voluntary Compact Agreement" between himself on behalf of the United Nations and member states that sign the agreement.
On 29th August 2017, UN Women opened its Second Regular Session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It started with the Statements by the President of the Executive Board and the Under-Secretary General/Executive Director of UN-Women, also including presentation on the Strategic Plan, 2018 - 2021.
Samoa’s Minister of Health, Honourable Tuitama Leao Talalelei Tuitama was invited by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) to speak on the thematic review titled “Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world – Taking forward The SAMOA Pathway” as part of the official sessions of the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on sustainable development held at the United Nations Head Quarters in New York from 10 to 21 July 2017.
Ocean Conference: "The Ocean Conference shall adopt by consensus a concise, focused, intergovernmentally agreed declaration in the form of a "Call for Action" to support the implementation of Goal 14 and a report containing the co-chairs' summaries of the partnership dialogues, as well as a list of voluntary commitments for the implementation of Goal 14, to be announced at the Conference."
