United Kingdom’s new High Commissioner presents credentials

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Apia, 29 May 2026 – H.E. Mr. Andrew Nethercott presented his Letters of Credence to the Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II at the Credentials ceremony held at the official residence of the Head of State at Vailele this morning. The ceremony accredited His Excellency Nethercott as the High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to Samoa.

Samoa and the United Kingdom established formal diplomatic relations in September 1970 and have continued to enjoy longstanding cordial relations founded on mutual respect, shared democratic values, and common membership in the Commonwealth family.

In his remarks during the ceremony, High Commissioner Nethercott reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening relations with Samoa and highlighted the close ties shared through history, Commonwealth values, democracy, the rule of law, and people-to-people connections.

His Excellency Nethercott conveyed his commitment to working closely with the Government and people of Samoa during his tenure to further strengthen bilateral relations.

The Head of State, in his responding remarks reflected on Samoa’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October 2024 and fondly recalled the visit of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Samoa, which further strengthened bilateral cooperation in areas including cultural exchange, environmental protection, education, and community development.

He also acknowledged the United Kingdom’s continued support towards Samoa’s development through initiatives such as the Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships, multilaterally-led climate financing mechanisms, as well as cooperation on sustainable development and ocean governance.

H.E. Mr. Andrew Nethercott is a career diplomat who held various senior positions with the FCDO and has served in various diplomatic and international roles with the United Kingdom Government including in Brussels, Pretoria, Islamabad, Severodonetsk in Ukraine, Khost in Afghanistan and Accra, Ghana. Prior to his current post he held the position of Deputy Head of the Central Asia and Eastern Neighbourhood Department of the FCDO. H.E Nethercott’s diplomatic posting in Samoa is for a period of three (3) years and he will be joined by his family later in the year.