(l-r) Former PM Tuilaepa with new British High Commissioner to Samoa HE Gareth Keith Hoar at the HRPP opposition party Petesa Headquarters on Thursday 10 August 2023.
By Staff Writer
Former Prime Minister and current HRPP Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, received a courtesy visit from the British High Commissioner this week on Thursday at Petesa headquarters.
H.E Mr Gareth Keith Hoar assumed his role as High Commissioner in June 2023 and is only the second envoy for the British High Commission since it was set up in Samoa in early 2019.
UK and Samoa continue to maintain close relations since the formalising of diplomatic relations in September 1970.
Samoa as a member of the Commonwealth is hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM, in Apia in October next year 2024.
Former PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, as the Samoan leader at the time, ensured the success of Samoa’s bid as host by winning the support of CHOGM leaders.
Samoa is the first Pacific Island Nation outside of NZ and Australia to host a CHOGM meeting (NZ hosted in 1995 and Australia in 2011 respectively)
The opportunity is expected to present an excellent opportunity to showcase Samoa and the Pacific, including the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States.
The new British High Commissioner takes over from he predecessor, H.E David Ward who completed his term and departed Samoa in early June.
High Commissioner Gareth Keith Hoar followed an earlier courtesy visit by Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka only a few weeks ago.