The Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Hon Baron Waqa, arrived in Apia on Monday morning, 19 January 2026, to pay courtesy calls on recently elected Pacific Prime Ministers, including the Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon La‘aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polata‘ivao Fosi Schmidt.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the Secretary General to brief the Prime Minister on key regional priorities and the policy frameworks, plans, and programmes of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). Prime Minister La‘aulialemalietoa affirmed Samoa’s support for the ongoing work of PIFS and outlined Samoa’s national priorities, many of which align with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Discussions also covered ways to strengthen cooperation between Samoa and the Pacific Islands Forum, including areas where Samoa has consistently advanced regionalism, climate change advocacy, and people-centred development grounded in Pacific identity. The meeting also considered opportunities to apply transformative approaches and technologies to strengthen Pacific development and resilience.
The Forum delegation included the Secretary General, accompanied by the Director for Governance and Engagement, Dr Salome Taufa, and Political Governance Adviser, Mr Jonetani Tagiveatua.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, together with senior officials of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, attended the meeting with Prime Minister La‘aulialemalietoa.
During the visit, the Secretary General also met with Ministers and Chief Executive Officers across portfolios that work closely with the Secretariat through regional ministerial processes, including the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, the Pacific Ministers for Women meeting, and the ministerial meeting for Communications and Information Technology.
Following the conclusion of meetings in Samoa, the Pacific Islands Forum delegation departed for Tonga to engage with the new government as part of ongoing consultations with Forum Member States, before returning to Suva.
Ministry Foreign Affairs & Trade Press Release
