American Samoa’s Governor Leads Delegation to Samoa’s Parliament Opening

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 15 September 2025: American Samoa’s Governor, Pulali’i Tuiteleleapaga Iuli Nikolau Pula is leading the US territory’s delegation to the opening of Samoa’s 18^th Parliament and the swearing-in of Members of Parliament and new government.

Accompanying the Governor is the Lieutenant Governor, Pulu Ae Ae Jr, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and officials of the American Samoa Government.

The opening of Samoa’s 18^th Parliament takes place tomorrow at the Tuanaimato Multipurpose Gym as the current parliament house at Tiafau, Mulinuu is undergoing renovations.

Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Satama Leatisa Uitime Tala is anticipating more than 2000 people to attend the opening and swearing in ceremony.

The set up of the main area where the Head of State, the Speaker, Prime Minister and Members of Parliament will be seated in tomorrows swearing in ceremony.

The swearing-in ceremony of the 17^th parliament in 2021 was conducted under a tent in-front of the parliament building, when the first FAST Government cannot access the locked building.

Parliamentary service
The opening program starts at 9.30am with the church service to be led by Reverend Panapa Fata To’o of the EFKS in Sasina. The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly then welcomes the Members of Parliament and announce the confirmation of the election of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Prime Minister.

The Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifanoa Vaaletoa Sualauvi 11 then arrives and after inspecting the Guard of Honour and the playing of the National Anthem, he then swears-in the Speaker and all Members of Parliament before his address.

This will be followed by the swearing-in of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister then announces his Cabinet and Associate Ministers and followed by taking their oaths of office.

After the blessing of the new appointees by Reverend Panapa To’o, the Prime Minister then delivers the final remarks.

Satama said the ceremony is expected to take three hours and will end with a feast for all guests and attendees to celebrate the beginning of a new government.