Afoa Stefan Szegedi is Germanys new Honorary Consul to Samoa

Apia, Samoa – November 16, 2023 – In a significant diplomatic transition, Afoa Stefan Szegedi has been appointed as the new Honorary Consul of Germany to Samoa. The appointment was celebrated during a farewell ceremony for his mother, the outgoing Honorary Consul, Tagaloa Christa Szegedi, held at Roko’s Restaurant last Wednesday night.

Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Wellington, Winnie Switakowski, expressed her sentiments during the event, stating, “Today is a very special day for the diplomatic relations between Germany and Samoa, as we bid farewell to Tagaloa Christa Szegedi and welcome Afoa Stefan Szegedi as her successor.

“On behalf of the German government, I extend my deepest gratitude for Tagaloa’s outstanding service over the past five years. She has been instrumental in fostering closer ties between our two nations, and we look forward to continuing her excellent work with Afoa at the helm.”

Tagaloa Christa Szegedi reflected on her tenure as the German Consul, which began in 2019.

“I really enjoyed my time in this role and worked diligently to enhance diplomatic relations between Germany and Samoa. Meeting diverse individuals and engaging in meaningful conversations with government officials about Samoa’s goals and priorities has been a truly enriching experience. I am particularly proud of our support for the education sector and various NGOs, resulting in 34 partnership projects over five years,” she noted.

Former German Consul, Tagaloa Christa Szegedi (middle) with the Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Wellington, Winnie Switakowski and new Honorary Consul Afoa Stefan Szegedi.

As she passes the torch to her son, Tagaloa conveys her confidence in Afoa’s capabilities. “I wish my son Afoa all the best in this new journey. He possesses a strong passion for both Germany and Samoa, and I am certain he is ready to take on this challenge while continuing to strengthen our nations’ friendship.”

Looking ahead, Afoa outlined his vision for the consulate, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral relations. “My goal is to continue building on the strong foundation laid by my mother, seeking opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest. I am particularly focused on identifying projects that can further support Samoa’s development and future prosperity.”

The swearing-in ceremony marked a new chapter in German diplomatic relations with Samoa, highlighting the shared commitment to collaboration and support between the two nations.

As the Szegedi family transitions into this new role, both Afoa and Tagaloa look forward to a future filled with opportunities for partnership and growth.