UN Congratulates Samoa on 60th Independence Anniversary

APIA, SAMOA – 01 JUNE 2022: The United Nations Resident Coordinator based in Apia, Simona Marinescu has issued the following  Letter of Congratulations on the 60th anniversary of Samoa’s independence.

Congratulatory Letter on the Occasion of Samoa’s 60th Anniversary of Independence

On behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General and the United Nations in Samoa, I am pleased to convey our congratulations to the Government and the people of Samoa on the occasion of the country’s 60th anniversary of independence on 1 June 2022.

It is with great honor that, as UN Country Team, we celebrate with the Government and the people of Samoa six decades of transformation and progress that built a strong foundation for a brighter future for all.

As the first Pacific nation to gain its independence in 1962, Samoa has served as a great model of determination and commitment to bettering the lives of its people and advancing sustainable development on its islands and in the region. In 1976, Samoa joined the United Nations fully embracing the Charter and the values of the organization and bringing the voice of the people of the Pacific on the global stage.

Over the last 60 years, Samoa has greatly advanced to graduate from a Least- Developed to a Mid-Income Country in 2014, achieve most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, adopt the Sustainable Development Goals in national plans and present, to date, two Voluntary National Review reports to the High-Level Political Forum under the auspices of the ECOSOC.

In line with its commitment to a global approach to challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Samoa continues to operate as the custodian of the Small Island Developing States’ development agenda – the so-called SAMOA Pathway – and co-chair the Steering Committee on Partnerships for Small Island Developing States together with Portugal.

As the longest serving UN organization in Samoa, UNDP has been an important partner to the Government and the people of Samoa on their successful journey in meeting the MDGs and implementing the 2030 Agenda.

At a time SIDS’ vulnerabilities deepen in the face of adverse global economic conditions and rapidly advancing climate change, the United Nations stands with the people of Samoa and the Pacific to safeguard life in harmony with nature through solidarity and respect for human rights and freedoms.

Other UN Agencies such as UNDP, ILO, FAO, WFP, UNICEF, UN Women, WHO, UNFPA and UNESCO also provide a summary of highlights of their work with Samoa.

Matou te talosia se lumana’i manuia mo Samoa, e filemu ma tamaoaiga!

Happy Independence Day, Samoa!

We look forward to celebrating together throughout the year Samoa’s great journey of independence and development and our partnership for peace and prosperity for all.

Simona Marinescu
UN Resident Coordinator
The United Nations Country Team

CLICK FOR FULL LETTER: UNRC Letter – SAMOA’s 60th anniversary of independence