Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa addressed the annual General Debate of the 75th session of the General Assembly on 26 September via pre-recorded video. The General Debate, traditionally the most high-profile UN event of the year, is being held virtually for the first time in the organization’s 75 year history due to the COVID19 global pandemic.

The world leaders however are dedicated to staying connected even if not in person, so that they remain united in the fight against the pandemic and the overall desire for a secure and peaceful world.

As a member of the UN, Samoa is committed to multilateralism, which guarantees sovereign equality of all member states, regardless of economic or military strength, and enables all countries to contribute and be heard in the global community.

The Prime Minister’s statement highlights issues of priority concern to Samoa such as climate change, COVID19, the implementation of the sustainable development goals, human rights, gender equality, peace and security, disarmament, and supporting the call for reforming the UN to better address the needs of its members. These are in line with the overall theme of this year’s General Debate “The Future we want, the UN we need”.

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Samoa joined the UN in 1976, opened the UN multi-country office in 1979 and currently hosts fifteen (15) offices or representatives of the UN system based in Samoa. The Prime Minister’s recorded statement for the General Debate is available here: https://rebrand.ly/Samoa-PrimeMinister-UN-General-Assembly. A copy of the statement can be viewed here