Prime Minister Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa’s message to the People’s Forum on day one of CHOGM was supported by renowned poet Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh, who led delegates in a sing-along.
The People’s Forum 2024, organised by the Commonwealth Foundation in collaboration with the Sāmoan Government, is a two-day event held at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel in Apia. The forum focuses on urgent issues such as climate justice, health justice, and freedom of expression, while centering on the plight of small and vulnerable states, women, and young people.
Commonwealth dignitaries and delegates have gathered in Sāmoa to celebrate shared values, engage with leaders, and contribute to shaping both policy and practice. University of Auckland Professor Selina Marsh ONZM FRSNZ is co-hosting the event.
Professor Marsh opened the event with a new poem, turning a wish list from the People’s Forum into a sing-along based on a well-known Christmas tune. The audience was invited to participate, creating an engaging atmosphere. “It is my honour and privilege to be one of your emcees today,” Marsh said, thanking Prime Minister Mata’afa for her opening address.
She shared her experience as a professor at the University of Auckland, teaching Pacific literature and the stories of Oceania. “I also teach creative writing and I am a poet – it’s a dangerous thing in these times,” Marsh remarked to an audience of around 200 people, who responded with enthusiasm. Jokingly, she added, “The reason I am a poet is because I cannot sing,” before proceeding to lead the crowd in a beautiful rendition, encouraging their participation.
Marsh mentioned that the idea for the poem came to her while in the shower, and the performance helped set the tone for the event’s first day. She co-hosted the event with Jamaican media personality Terri-Karelle Johnson.
Prime Minister Mata’afa’s opening address focused on climate change, resilience, and global challenges that call for solidarity and dialogue with civil society leaders. She emphasized the importance of setting the foundation for deeper discussions. “I’m delighted to see we continue to build on the momentum here in Apia. It’s all about 2.4 billion of our citizens,” she said, referring to the pressing issues of climate and health justice across the Commonwealth’s five regions.
“Climate justice is an existential crisis,” the Prime Minister stated. “Our resilience in the face of rising seas and extreme weather events, health justice, climate displacement, and the well-being of our people are all interconnected. We need solutions that address both.”
Mata’afa stressed the need to protect the most vulnerable – the young, elderly, disabled, and those on the margins – insisting that inclusivity is not optional. Financing these efforts remains an uphill battle, but through cross-national partnerships, the Commonwealth is not powerless, she noted.
“Let us be fearless in our discussions, united in our purpose, and willing to challenge and learn from one another. Together, we can build a Commonwealth that is resilient, inclusive, and just for all of us and future generations.”
