Austria’s new Ambassador presents Letters of Credence

Apia, SAMOA – 29 April 2026 – Austria’s new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Samoa with residence in Canberra, Australia presented her Letters of Credence to the Head of State at a Credentials Ceremony at the Official Residence of the Head of State at Vailele yesterday morning.

Samoa and Austria have maintained cordial relations since the establishment of formal ties in 1992. The partnership between the two countries is primarily fostered through cooperation in multilateral and regional platforms, through shared membership of the EU-OACPS Partnership and the United Nations.

Her Excellency Ambassador Elizabeth Koegler commended the Pacific region’s position on key issues, stating that it aligns with her government’s continued support for funding green projects and initiatives channelled collectively through the European Union.

Her Excellency confirmed her government’s commitment to Samoa and the region through contributions including to the Pacific Resilience Facility for climate financing, diplomatic trainings and support for candidatures to the elections at the UN and its specialised agencies.

The Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va‘aletoa Sualauvi II welcomed Her Excellency and acknowledged Austria’s contributions as a valued partner to the Pacific region in addressing Climate Change.

He stated that capacity building offers significant benefits through diplomatic training, which can also extend to other key sectors for the development of Samoa.

The Head of State expressed his confidence in H.E. Koegler’s appointment, which will further strengthen existing relations and opportunities for cooperation between our two countries.

Ambassador Koegler is a seasoned Austrian diplomat with extensive experience in both multilateral and bilateral affairs. She currently serves as Austria’s Ambassador to Australia, and to the Pacific Island countries including Samoa.

Her Excellency joined the Foreign Service in 1993, has and has held senior roles including Head of the EU Coordination Department and Deputy Head of the Security Policy Department, where she led the Cyberdiplomacy Unit.

She was posted on diplomatic appointments including as the Deputy Head of Mission in London, as Counsellor at Austria’s UN Mission in New York, as First Secretary in New Delhi, and Attaché in Tirana, Albania.

She holds a Master of Arts from the University of Vienna and completed the Foreign Service Programme at Oxford University.