Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 10) that Jockey Club Yan Oi Tong Swimming Pool in Tuen Mun District, which was closed earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, has been reopened.
Source:
His Highness, the Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, pursuant to Article 105 of the Constitution and upon the advice from Cabinet, signed the Proclamation of Emergency for 30 days, effective from 12.00am Monday 31st March to Tuesday 29th April, 2025.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) is now activated to coordinate the Government’s response in relation to the following:
1. Executing timely remedial works to restore full power generation to all of Upolu.
2. Temporarily suspending taxes and duties on the importation of generators, renewable energy systems, and electrical appliances used for electricity generation.
3. Mobilizing additional assistance and resources to support households, businesses, and private organizations adversely affected by the current energy crisis.
4. Securing additional support to assist the Electric Power Corporation in implementing medium- to long-term investments for a sustainable and reliable energy supply.
Members of the public are advised to contact the NEOC for more information.
NEOC 32759 or 997 Or Email dmosamoa@gmail.com
Ma le faaaloalo tele,
OFISA TŪTOTONU MO FA’ALAVELAVE MĀTUIĀ
Ua fa’amaonia nei e Lana Afioga i le Ao Mamalu o le Mālō, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, e tusa ma le Mata’upu 105 o le Fa’avae o le Mālō Tuto’atasi o Samoa 1960, le fa’amamaluina o le Poloa’iga mo Fa’alavelave Tutupu Fa’afuase’i [Proclamation of Emergency] e amata atu i le Aso Gafua, 31 Mati 2025 i le itula e 12:00 i le vaeluaga o le po, se’ia o’o atu i le Aso Lua, 29 Aperila 2025.
Ua tatala aloa’ia nei le Ofisa Tūtotonu mo Fa’alavelave Mātuia mo le fa’atinoina o matafaioi a le Malo mo le toe fa’aleleia o auaunaga tau eletise, fa’apea fuafuaga mo le fa’aiti’itia o a’afiaga i le atunu’u, e tauala atu i vaega nei:
1. Vave fa’aleleia atoatoa le auaunaga tau eletise mo le motu o Upolu.
2. Fa’apafala totogi o tiute ma lafoga mo afi, meafaigaluega e aofia ai ma malosiaga fa’afouina o le a fa’atauina mai mo auaunaga tau eletise.
3. Fa’amautu polokalame fesoasoani e fa’amāmā ‘avega ai i aiga, pisinisi ma vaega maoti
o le atunu’u ua a’afia.
4. Fa’amautu atina’e fesoasoani (vaega tupe ma tomai faapitoa) mo le fa’atinoga o fuafuaga alualu mamao a le Faalapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise.
E fautuaina le mamalu o le atunu’u ina ia fa’afeso’ota’i mai le Ofisa Tūtotonu mo Fa’alavelave
Mātuia mo nisi fa’amatalaga:
• Numera o le telefoni – 32759 or 997 Or Imeli : dmosamoa@gmail.com
Ma le faaaloalo tele,
Source:
[PRESS RELEASE Apia, SAMOA 01 April 2025] – The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) is once again supporting local communities who are at great risk from climate change due to their fragile ecosystems.
Community-based organizations from six villages have been awarded financial grants from the GEF-SGP, totalling over US$233,652, which will be used to implement environmental projects.
These include wetland restoration, securing of marine protected areas, protection of marine ecosystems, freshwater pools rehabilitation, and increasing the resilience of spring pools to natural disasters.
An inception workshop was held last Friday in Savaii for the successful grantees, to provide an opportunity for the GEF-SGP team to clarify any queries that the project leaders may have, and to help build their capacity in implementing their approved Memorandum of Agreements.
“It’s an honour to collaborate with our local communities to implement these sustainable environmental projects. The work of the GEF-SGP, with the important assistance from Government partners, will continue to ensure the positive impact of civil society interventions at national level, and a continued effort to build the capacity of civil society actors to be transformative agents of change, contributing to Samoa’s efforts to achieve its national plans and the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Lemalu Nynette Sass, Chairwoman of the GEF-SGP National Steering Committee.
These community projects are funded by the Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative Programme (COMDEKS), and OP7 core grant allocation, the 7th Operational Phase of the GEF-SGP, a programme implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), that provides financial assistance to small-scale environmental projects.
COMDEKS, funded by the Japan Biodiversity Fund at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, provides small-scale finance delivered through the GEF-SGP directly to local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society to implement locally led projects that enhance livelihoods and well-being, conserve biodiversity, address climate change, and support local cultures and traditional practices. This is the first time that Samoa has been selected to be one of the implementing countries for COMDEKS.
The GEF-SGP National Coordinator, Mr. Lilomaiava Taumalaulu Filifilia Iosefa, emphasized the importance of working together with key implementing ministries, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, to assist the selected grantees and their communities to successfully implement the approved projects.
END.
SOURCE – UNDP in Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau & Niue
Source:
His Highness, the Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, pursuant to Article 105 of the Constitution and acting on the advice of Cabinet, has declared a State of Emergency for Samoa for 30 days, effective from 12:00am Monday 31 March to Tuesday 29 April 2025.
The Proclamation of Emergency enables the Government to implement emergency measures necessary to manage and restore national energy supply, protect public health and safety, and maintain essential services.
As a result of continuous power outages and electricity rationing, the Government acknowledges the significant impact on our people and economy, noting that:
1. The damage to household utilities and the safety of residential buildings.
2. The loss of power has compromised the storage of perishable food items in retail and wholesale outlets, as well as households.
3. The impact on private businesses and corporations affecting operations and livelihoods.
4. The projected economic cost of the crisis is estimated to reach approximately 16% of GDP for the 2025 calendar year, underscoring severe disruptions to national productivity, public services, and economic activity.
The Electric Power Corporation (EPC) has been working tirelessly to monitor the situation, identify solutions, and minimize, as best as possible, the impact on essential services and the daily lives of our people. Multiple factors have contributed to the current energy crisis, namely:
1. Mechanical failures at the Fiaga Power Station resulted in the loss of primary generators that supply a substantial portion of Upolu’s electricity;
2. A faulty underground transmission line disrupted power distribution across key parts of the national grid;
3. Severe weather events, most notably the destructive storm of 9 March 2025, caused widespread damage to energy infrastructure and further hindered restoration efforts; and
4. Rising electricity demand has placed additional strain on EPC’s generation capacity, particularly during peak consumption hours.
The Government is pleased to provide an update on the priority actions implemented to date in response to the ongoing energy crisis:
1. Temporary power generation units are scheduled to arrive on 5 April to provide immediate relief and supplement electricity supply. Full power restoration across Upolu is expected before the end of April, while awaiting the arrival and commissioning of permanent generators in August 2025.
2. Overhaul parts for the Fiaga generators are currently being procured to restore them to full operational capacity.
3. The Government remains committed to accelerating renewable energy and grid reinforcement projects to strengthen and diversify the national energy supply.
The Proclamation of Emergency will enable the Government to implement urgent measures to stabilize the energy supply and mitigate the impacts of the crisis by:
1. Ensuring the timely arrival and operation of temporary generators before the end of April, ahead of the permanent units scheduled for August, along with the necessary overhaul parts for Fiaga;
2. Lifting tax and import duties on generators and other electricity-related equipment, including renewable energy systems, procured by EPC, households, businesses, and organizations for electricity generation;
3. Mobilizing additional assistance and resources to support households, businesses, and private organizations adversely affected by the crisis;
4. Securing additional and targeted financial and technical support to assist EPC in implementing medium to long-term remedial works; and
5. Activating a whole-of-government coordinated response through the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) to coordinate the Government’s response to the energy crisis.
The Government acknowledges the significant hardship this energy crisis has placed on households, businesses, and essential services across the island of Upolu. We want to reassure everyone that restoring a stable electricity supply and supporting those most affected remain our top priorities. Every effort is being made to respond swiftly, minimize further disruptions, and provide relief where it is needed most.
With unity, resilience, and collective action, we will overcome this challenge and move toward a more secure, sustainable, and affordable energy future for all of our people.
Faafetai and God Bless Samoa.
SAUNOAGA FA’APITOA A LE AFIOGA I LE PALEMIA, HON. FIAME NAOMI MATAAFA MO LE FA’AMAMALUINA O LE POLOĀ’IGA O FA’ALAVELAVE TUTUPU FA’AFUASE’I ONA O LE ‘ELETISE. [Aso Gafua, 31 Mati 2025]
Ou te fa’afeiloa’i atu i lenei itula o le aso, i lau fa’afofoga’aga Samoa, mai tafa e fia o le atunu’u. O ou paia ma mamalu o le a lē afea e se fa’amatalaga, auā o Samoa o le fue lavelave, e leai se poto po’o se vave na te autalaina. Ae nu’unu’u atu ia sasaga fa’atini o tausala, i le galuega tausi a le usoga a Tumua ma Pule.
Ole vi’iga o le Atua e lē fa’aitiitia, ona o lona agalelei ma lona alofa tunoa, o lo’o malu tapu ‘ā’aoina ai pea la tatou savaliga i lenei vaitau. Mālō le ta’i, fa’afetai le fai tatalo, mālō le tapua’i.
Ona o a’afiaga ma le tulaga ogaoga ole motusia ai o le ‘eletise i le atunu’u, ua fa’amaonia ai nei e Lana Afioga i le Ao Mamalu o le Mālō, e tusa ma le Matā’upu 105 o le Fa’avae o le Mālō Tuto’atasi o Samoa 1960, le fa’amamaluina o le Poloā’iga mo Fa’alavelave Tutupu Fa’afuase’i [Proclamation of Emergency] e amata atu i le Aso Gafua, 31 Mati 2025 i le itula e 12:00 i le vaeluaga o le po se’ia o’o atu i le Aso Lua, 29 Aperila 2025.
O lenei Poloaiga mo Faalavalave Tutupu Faafuasei o le a mafai ai e le Ma ̅lo ona faatinoina ma faanatinati ai galuega fesoasoani mo le toe faaleleia o auaunaga tau eletise atoa ai ma le faaitiitia o aafiaga ile atunuu.
Ua faia lenei faaiuga e tali fuaitau atu ai ile tulaga ma’ale’ale ua iai nei le tau faasoasoaina ole eletise faapea aafiaga ile atunuu, e aofia ai:
Aafiaga i tagata lautele ma le saogalemu o fale ma meatotino tau eletise ua faaleagaina.
Aafiaga tau soifua maloloina o tagata lautele mai le fa’atamai’aina o oloa taumafa tu’u-aisa e lē gata i faleoloa ma falesiiatoa.
Aafiaga i pisinisi ma atina’e o loo faamoemoe ai le tamaoaiga o tagata lautele.
Le ono o’o atu i le 16 pasene o le tamaoaiga o le atunu’u (GDP) i totonu o le tausaga 2025, ua a’afia ona o le tulaga faaletonu o le eletise.
I le taimi nei, o lo o galulue pea le Fa’alapotopotoga o Malosiata tau Eletise e toe fa’aleleia le auaunaga ma le fa’asoasoaina atu ole eletise i vaega uma ole atunuu ona o mafuaaga e aofia ai:
Fa’aletonu i afi tetele i le Faleafi i Fiaga, ma ua a’afia ai se vaega tele o le motu o Upolu;
Fa’aletonu i uaea malolosi o lo o i lalo o le ele’ele o lo’o fa’asoasoa ai le eletise;
Motusia o laina ma le fa’aleagaina o pou molī i le malolosi o savili lea na tulai mai i le Aso Sā 09 Mati 2025,
Si’itia le maualuga o manaoga tau eletise i totonu o le atunu’u, ma ua atili fa’aopo’opoina ai le eletise moomia pe a faatusa atu i le eletise maua, aemaise lava i taimi o lo o maualuga ai le manaoga tau eletise.
O lo o galulue itutino uma o le Malo ina ia foia faafitauli nei, ma e avea lenei avanoa ou te tuuina atu ai se faamatalaga i le tulaga o lo o taoto ai nei galuega:
O le Aso 05 Aperila 2025 o lo’o fuafua e taunu’u mai ai ni afi tetele mai fafo, ua lisiina mai mo le toe fa’aleleia ole auaunaga mo le motu i Upolu, a o talia ai le taunuu mai o afi tumau ile masina o Aokuso 2025.
Ua mae’a ona fa’atauina totoga moomia mo le faaleleia o afi tetele i Fiaga, ma o lo o talia le taunuu mai mo le toe fa’aleleia atoa ai o auaunaga tau eletise.
Faamautuina i se taimi vave le faatinoga o poloketi mo malosiaga faafouina (renewable energy) e tali atu ai ile siisii pea o manaoga tau eletise.
O lenei Poloaiga, o le a fa’amamaluina mo le 30 aso, ma o le a lagolagoina ai taumafaiga uma a le tatou Malo e le gata mo le toe fa’aleleia o le auaunaga tau eletise mo le atunu’u atoa, ae fa’apea le fa’atinoina o galuega e tali atu ai i a’afiaga ona o le faaletonu o auaunaga tau eletise, ma e aofia ai le:
Vave fa’aolaina o afi ua lisiina fa’avaitaimi i le masina o Aperila, e fa’atali ai le taunu’u mai o afi tetele ia Aokuso, fa’apea ma le toe fa’aleleia atoatoa o le auaunaga a le faleafi i Fiaga;
Fa’apafala totogi o tiute ma lafoga mo afi, meafaigaluega e aofia ai ma malosiaga fa’afouina o le a fa’atauina mai mo le fa’aleleia o vaega ua fa’aletonu a le Fa’alapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise, fa’apea pisinisi, faalapotopotoga ma aiga taitasi;
Faamautu polokalame fesoasoani e fa’amāmā ’avega mo aiga, pisinisi ma vaega maoti o le atunu’u ua a’afia;
Faamautu atinae fesoasoani (vaega tupe ma tomai faapitoa) mo le faatinoga o fuafuaga alualumamao a le Faalapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise.
Faatino matafaioi fa’aletulafono a le Komiti mo Fa’alavelave Tutupu Faafuasei, o lo o auai ai itutino uma o le Malo, pisinisi ma faalapotopotoga ina ia galulue faatasi mo le toe faaleleia o auaunaga tau eletise faapea fuafuaga mo le faaitiitia o aafiaga ile atunuu.
Samoa e, e lē mavae le agaga fa’afetai i lo outou sao tāua e ala i le lalago mai i galuega faifaipea a lo tatou Mālō e tauala atu i le auaunaga a le Faalapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise. O ni taga e fai i vasa, ma ni tonu e le tuā le taumafai atu o le Mālō, pe ana leai lo outou finagalo malamalama e lagolagosua ma onosaia ai lenei galuega fītā. Fa’afetai tele i lo outou onosa’i ma le lava papale, a o fa’agasolo ai galuega fa’aleleia a le tatou Fa’alapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise.
E momoli foi le fa’afetai ma le fa’amālō a lo tatou Mālō i le aufaigaluega galulue a le Faalapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise. Mālō le tautua, fa’afetai le galulue lē fa’alogologotigā. Le Atua o manuia, na te tauia lo outou afu sisina. O lo o tatou folau pea ma lu’itau e ui ina tatou folau mālie i le laula’i o Matāmatagi a o vavala mai ata o Tauleleia.
E leai so tatou malosi, po o so tatou poto tatou te malu ai, pe ana le seanoa le Atua o lo’o tatou auauna i ai. Ua na o le Atua lava na te mafaia mea uma, o Ia na te fa’atonu folau ma ta’iala si o tatou atunu’u, e tusa ma le ta’ita’iga a lona Agaga Paia ma lona finagalo alofa iā Samoa. Ia tumau pea lo tatou fa’atuatua ma le mautinoa, pe lutia lava tatou i puava, tatou te mapu i Fagalele. O tua atu fo’i o le loulouā ma le mamafa o timuga, o lo o tumau ai pea le susulu o le la o le amiotonu a lo tatou Atua.
Ia tumau i le alofa tulituliloa ma le finagalo fa’apaolo o lo tatou Atua, le faigāmalaga a Samoa.
SOIFUA MA IA MANUIA.
Source:
KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Hon. Laumatiamanu Mathew Ringo Purcell, Minister of Sports and Recreation [Aso Toonai 29 Mati 2025]
Lau Susuga Auali’itia Arona – of the Baha’i Faith,
Leota Josh Lutu – Chairman of the Samoa Outrigger Canoe Association & The Executive Committee of SOCA,
Seagles Patrons: Lemalu Nynette Sass, Maiava Collin McCarthy, and
Tauvaga Farani
Seagles President: Auali’itia Leata, Executive Committee and Members of the Seagles Outrigger Canoe Club,
Board member of Samoa Waste Recycling Management Association
Board (SWARMA) – Marina Keil,
CEO of SASNOC – Tuala Mathew Vaea
Esteemed Presidents of Paddling Clubs & Members of the Paddling
Community,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings,
Before we begin this special occasion, I would like to extend my gratitude to Auali’itia Arona for graciously delivering the opening prayer and blessing of the canoes. Your presence and spiritual guidance set the tone for this meaningful event, reminding us of the deep cultural and spiritual connections that underpin our gathering today. Thank you for leading us in this important tradition.
It is both a pleasure and a privilege to join you all for this special occasion, the blessing of the Seagles Outrigger Canoe Club Samoa. Today’s gathering is more than a ceremonial event; it is a celebration of perseverance, culture, and the shared spirit that binds our paddling community together.
Outrigger canoeing is not just a sport. It is a living expression of our Samoan heritage. For generations, our ancestors mastered the ocean, navigating vast distances with courage, knowledge, and an unbreakable connection to the sea. Canoeing carries that legacy forward. It teaches our people to move with purpose, to work in unity, and to respect the environment that sustains us.
What makes this sport truly special is its inclusivity. Paddling is for everyone, from our energetic juniors to our experienced masters. It brings together communities, families, and people of all backgrounds. Whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned competitor, there is a place for you in a va’a.
I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Seagles Club and all paddling clubs across Samoa. Your collective effort ensures the survival of this vital sport. I also recognize the challenges many of you face, particularly around access to equipment, resources, and facilities.
The Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MSR) plays a pivotal role in elevating all sports and recreational activities in Samoa. Our mission is to drive sporting and recreational activities to lift the standards of our athletes as well as the well-being of our people.
The blessing of the canoes resonates deeply with the goals and objectives of the Government of Samoa through the MSR. It symbolizes our commitment to nurturing talent, fostering unity, and promoting a healthy lifestyle for all Samoans. I want to assure you that the Ministry of Sports and Recreation is committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of paddling in Samoa.
I also commend the work of the Samoa Outrigger Canoe Association (SOCA) for your tireless leadership. Despite obstacles, you continue to hold the torch for this important sport, and the Government is here to walk alongside you.
Together with SASNOC and our sports partners, we will work towards strengthening our support systems so that paddling continues to thrive, not only as a sport, but as a pathway to unity, wellness, and cultural pride. Let us paddle forward as one people, honouring our past while charting a bold course for the future.
Fa’afetai tele lava and may God bless you all.
Soifua ma ia Manuia!!!
Photo by the Government of Samoa (Jasmine Netzler-Iose)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 10) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, Jockey Club Yan Oi Tong Swimming Pool in Tuen Mun District has been temporarily closed until further notice to ensure the safety of swimmers.
Source:
KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Minister of Sports and Recreation Hon. Laumatiamanu Matthew Ringo Purcell (Saturday, 22 March 2025)
Susuga Taitai o le Sauniga
Hon Ministers of Cabinet
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Members of the Chinese Communities
Sports Bodies and Organisations
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Talofa lava and a warmest good morning to you all.
Today, we gather to celebrate 50 years of collaboration between Samoa and China in the fields of sports, education, agriculture, technology, medical support-a partnership that has strengthened our communities and shaped our shared future.
Sports play a vital role in shaping our communities. It builds discipline, teamwork, and healthy lifestyles, while also providing opportunities for our athletes to excel at the national and international levels. The Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MSR) is committed to elevate sports in all aspects, from development programs to sports facilities that are fit for purpose and comply with international standards. In terms of recreation, MSR is tasked with providing better facilities for public use and enhance the quality of life for all Samoans.
Through our long-standing friendship with China, we have seen remarkable developments; better sports facilities, enhanced coaching programs and increased opportunities for our athletes to compete internationally.
Beyond sports, this collaboration has also advanced education, agricultural innovation, and technological and medical progress, helping Samoa build a more sustainable and prosperous future. We acknowledge and appreciate the commitment of China and our Chinese partners in supporting our national growth and development.
Today’s event is a celebration of this journey; a showcase of talent, teamwork and the spirit of cooperation that defines our two nations. I encourage each of you to take part, enjoy the activities, and continue fostering friendships that will last for generations.
On behalf of the Government of Samoa, fa’afetai tele lava to all our partners, organizers, and participants. May we continue to strengthen our bonds and achieve even greater sporting milestones together.
Soifua ma ia Manuia.
FA’ATĀUAINA O LE FAIGĀ PA’AGA A SAMOA MA SAINA TAUALA I ATINA’E TAU TA’ALOGA LEA UA ATOA LE 50 TAUSAGA O LEA FAIGĀUŌ MĀFANAFANA.
SAUNOAGA AUTŪ a le Afioga i le Minisitā o le Matāgaluega o Ta’aloga Ma Alagā’oa Mo le Soifua Fiafia O Tagata iā Hon. Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell. [Aso To’ana’i, 22 March 2025.]
Susuga Taitai o le Sauniga
Afioga i Minisita ole Kapeneta,
Sui o Malō ma a tatou paaga mai atunuu mamao,
Sui o Pisinisi ma Faalapotopotoga Tumaoti
Faalapotopotoga o Taaloga eseese i Samoa
Aemaise Samoa ua potopoto
O sa ma faigata o Samoa ua potopoto mai i lenei taeao, o le a tāoto ā faamāene o tai loloto. E le toe tau faamati’eina ou pa’ia e mai le vavau e oo i le faavavau. O pa’ia foi o eleele sa ma fanua tapu o loo tapuvae tasi mai iai le faamoemoe i lenei taeao, o lea ua uma ona saunoa iai le fofoga o le aso. Ae tau lava ina ou faatulou iai.
Ua mae’a foi ona tafili le agavao faa-le-agaga ma faausu lupe o manū i le Tapaau Sili i le Lagi ona o Lana faasoa i le soifua ma le ola e pei ona saunia e le Taitai o le Sauniga. E faaluaina ai le agaga o le faafetai mo upu tima’i ma faamanatu lelei i faamoemoega uma o lenei aso. Tatalo ina ia maua pea le tumu o le Agaga Paia auā le feagai ai ma le valaauina.
O le a avea le leo faatauvaa o la outou Minisita e fai ma fofoga o lo tatou Malō, e faaleo atu ai le agaga o le faafetai i la outou valaaulia faaaloalo e pei ona iai le taeao nei. O se faamoemoe taua ma matagofie a’o tatou iai lea i le faamanatuina o le 50 tausaga o le faiga-paaga a le Malo o Saina ma Samoa, e faaaogaina ai tulaga tau taaloga ma ni isi o auaunaga ma alagaoa mo le fiafia o tagata, e tuufaatasia ai o tatou tagata ma faamalosia ai fesootaiga mo le lumanai. Ua mautinoa, ua o gatasi lenei faamoemoe ma le Vaai Mamao a le Matagaluega o Taaloga ma Alagaoa mo le Fiafia o Tagata-“o le faaleleia ma le siitia o taaloga i soo se itu; e aofia ai malae ma fale taalo faapea a tatou tagata taalo” i totonu o Samoa.
Ou te fiafia tele ai e faailoa atu ma le agaga faaaloalo, e matua’i lagolagoina atoa e le Malo o Samoa, tauala atu i le Matagaluega o Taaloga ma Alagaoa mo le Fiafia o Tagata soo se faamoemoe ma soo se taumafaiga e atina’e ai taaloga i totonu o le atunuu. Ua mautinoa, o taaloga ua avea lea ma se tasi o vaega ua mafai ona tuufaatasia ai tagata e ui lava i sou faasinomaga ma ua mafai foi ona avea ma auala e fesoasoani ai e faatupulaia le soifua lelei ma le maloloina o tagata.
O le faiga-paaga a Samoa ma Saina ua telē sona sao mo le atinaeina o taaloga i si o tatou atunuu – ua faaleleia malae ma fale taaalo, fesoasoani e faaleleia tulaga tau faiaoga o taaloga aemaise ai avanoa mo a tatou tagata taaalo e tauvā ai i atunuu i fafo. O tua atu foi o taaloga, o lo o iai ni isi o auaunaga ma faamoemoega ua faatino ina i lenei faiga-paaga e pei o le faaleleia o aoaoga, auaunaga tau faatoaga ma le soifua maloloina. E avea ai lo’u leo faatauvaa e fai ma sui o le Malo faapea tagata nuu uma o Samoa, e faaleo ai so tatou agaga faafetai ma le faamalō i le malō o Saina ma ana paaga mo le fesoasoani malosi i atinae a si o tatou atunuu.
Momoli foi le faafetai ma le faamalō i a outou uma lava ua mafai ona auai potopoto i lenei taeao e faatino ma molimauina lenei faamoemoe taua. Tau ina ia avea lenei mafutaga e faalauteleina ai ma faamausaliina ai a tatou sootaga faa-le-taaloga aemaise ai o le lagolagosua malosi mai a paaga faa-pisinisi ma faalapotopotoga tau taaloga ua tatou mafuta ai i lenei taeao.
Soifua.
Ata Pueina – Malo o Samoa (Leota Marc Membrere)
Source:
[PRESS RELEASE – Thursday 27 March 2025] – His Excellency Mr. Antonio Albuquerque Moniz presented his Letters of Credence to the Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, at a Credentials Ceremony held this morning at the Official Residence of the Head of State at Vailele, accrediting His Excellency as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Portugal to Samoa with residence in Canberra, Australia.
Samoa and Portugal have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of formal ties on 9 June 1995. The two countries collaborate in multilateral fora, including the United Nations, to address global challenges such as climate change, ocean governance, and sustainable development. Ambassador Moniz reaffirmed Portugal’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Samoa, highlighting Portugal’s ongoing support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and its engagement in the Pacific region through its application to become a Dialogue Partner of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II welcomed the Ambassador and acknowledged the growing partnership between Samoa and Portugal. He expressed appreciation for Portugal’s advocacy on climate action and ocean conservation, as well as its contributions to international development initiatives that align with Samoa’s priorities. The Head of State conveyed his confidence that Ambassador Moniz’s tenure will further enhance the friendship and cooperation between our two countries.
H.E. Mr. Antonio Albuquerque Moniz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lisbon. He joined Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1991 and held various senior positions, including Head of Visa Services and Movement of Persons within the Directorate-General for Consular Affairs. His diplomatic career includes postings at Portugal’s missions in Vienna and Warsaw, as well as serving as Deputy Head of Mission in Berlin. In 2015, he was appointed Consul General at Portugal’s Consulate in Paris. He later served as Portugal’s Ambassador to Cape Verde in 2020 before assuming his current role as Ambassador of Portugal to Australia in 2023. Mr Antonio A. Moniz is married and has one daughter.
END
SOURCE – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Photos by the Government of Samoa (Leaosa Faaifo Faaifo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Hong Kong Investment and Corporation Limited and WeLab Strategic Partnership Kick-off Ceremony today (April 10):
Deputy Consul-General Ms Ranida Chamchalerm (Deputy Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong), Clara (Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Investment Corporation, Ms Clara Chan), Simon (Chief Executive Officer of WeLab, Mr Simon Loong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is a pleasure to join you today to witness the strategic partnership between the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) and WeLab, a collaboration that embodies the spirit of innovation and aspiration.
As an international financial centre, fintech is a vital component of Hong Kong’s financial landscape. We are home to around 1100 fintech companies and start-ups. The ecosystem has been rapidly growing, particularly in the areas of digital assets, blockchain applications and cybersecurity.
Our progress in fintech has gained international recognition. In the recently released Global Financial Centres Index, Hong Kong has risen five places to become global No. 4 in the category of fintech.
Innovation sits at the heart of this endeavour. And we are guided by a clear mission: to build a fintech ecosystem where cutting-edge solutions thrive and technology serves as a force for good. The objective is to make financial services more efficient and accessible, benefitting not just the local market but also our regional partners like ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) through collaboration opportunities.
Strategic partnership
I’m pleased to note that the HKIC plays an important role in advancing these objectives. While pursuing reasonable financial returns, it promotes the development of target sectors that are crucial for Hong Kong’s long-term competitiveness and economic vitality. The HKIC invests and co-invests in start-ups and companies at different stages of development that are conducive to the building of such an ecosystem. Acting as “patient capital”, it also helps channel private capital, including private equity and venture capital, to support the realisation of our vision.
The HKIC is driving forward the vision together with WeLab, whose success in the Indonesian market and its plan to expand to Thailand are closely aligned with our overarching goals and strategies.
On the other hand, globally, AI is rapidly reshaping production, business and consumption models. It empowers the upgrading of traditional industries and creates new ones. It is defining the future of finance by transforming customer experiences, enabling us to overcome traditional barriers and providing us with faster, cheaper and more inclusive financial services.
For instance, AI technologies can uncover correlations between seemingly unrelated factors, enabling the identification of creditworthiness in individuals who might otherwise be regarded as unqualified for lending. This is exactly what WeLab is achieving through its innovative technologies.
This Government is pro-AI. In my Budget this year, I have outlined our vision to develop AI as a core industry for Hong Kong. We are driving this development on five fronts: computing capabilities, algorithms, data, capital and talent. Beyond investing more resources into AI development, we are committed to fostering a pro-innovation environment that facilitates the testing and trial of AI applications.
I’m confident that through this partnership, the HKIC and Welab can assist more local and regional enterprises to leverage AI and fintech, thereby unlocking the potential of finance to support the economic development across Asia.
Synergies for good
Ladies and gentlemen, today’s partnership goes well beyond investments and corporate cooperation. Allow me to emphasise two points.
First, by integrating WeLab, a pioneer in fintech, into its ecosystem of innovative companies, the HKIC is expanding the nexus for co-creation. I’m confident that this partnership will inspire more innovation among the HKIC’s partners and other innovators, with vast potential for cross-sectoral collaboration in areas such as digital transformation and application scenarios for AI.
Second, innovation thrives on talent. We want our young people to become not merely participants but architects of Hong Kong’s digital future. This partnership is committed to supporting acceleration programmes and academic partnerships, thereby equipping our youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the rapidly evolving fintech space. Together, we can work to nurture the next generation of tech-savvy leaders.
In short, today’s partnership is a catalyst for progress. I wish this collaboration enduring success, and all of you the best of business and health in the time ahead. Thank you very much.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (April 10) announced that the department collected 10 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples from auto-LPG filling stations and LPG terminals on a random basis in March 2025 for laboratory tests. The results show that the LPG quality of all these samples complied with auto-LPG specifications.
The detailed test results are available on the EMSD’s website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/gas_safety/lpg_vehicle_scheme/publications/general/results_of_lpg_sample_analysis/index.html). Enquiries can also be made to the EMSD’s hotline on 2333 3762.
In addition, the EMSD has been vetting independent third-party test reports submitted by LPG supply companies for each shipment to ensure that the quality of imported LPG complies with the specified requirements.
