Canada’s High Commissioner to Samoa presents credentials

Apia, SAMOA – 01 September 2026 – The Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, today accepted the credentials of His Excellency, Keith Smith as High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Samoa, with residence in Wellington, New Zealand.

Samoa and Canada have enjoyed warm and cordial relations since the establishment of formal ties on 11 June 1971.

Both nations have worked alongside each other to achieve their shared priorities, including climate resilience, community development and multilateral advocacy through the UN, Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum.

H.E. High Commissioner Keith Smith reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advancing Pacific-led priorities, enhancing regional cooperation, and fostering a resilient, secure, and prosperous region while deepening bilateral ties with Samoa.

He also commended Samoa’s regional leadership, highlighting its successful hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2024.

The Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va‘aletoa Sualauvi II warmly welcomed the High Commissioner and expressed Samoa’s appreciation for Canada’s continued development assistance not just to Samoa but to the pacific region.

The Head of State expressed confidence that the High Commissioner’s appointment will further deepen cooperation between Samoa and Canada in areas of mutual benefit.

His Excellency Keith Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in French Studies from the University of Ottawa. He held several roles with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada including Director of Intergovernmental and International Relations. From 2013 to 2016, he served as the director of Policy, Research and International at the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) and later as the director general of Policy and Communications at the CHRC. From 2016 to 2018, he was Director of Policy to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. In August 2021, he joined Justice Canada as Director General of the UN Declaration Act Implementation Secretariat, leading the development of a whole-of-government action plan to advance the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He is a member of Thessalon First Nation and a signatory to the Robinson Huron Treaty.