Our Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting guests will soon begin arriving.
They will be warmly welcomed by the people of Samoa, who have beautifully decorated their homes, villages, and roads to mark this truly special event.
CHOGM is taking place at a challenging time as the leaders try to solve some big problems facing the world today.
Climate change is surely on the agenda, along with many other economic and social issues.
But Commonwealth leaders must also confront one important topic: the impact of technology on society.
In Samoa, we have experienced first-hand how technology can both improve and disrupt our way of life.
Internet connectivity enables our families to keep close contact all over the world, our businesses to connect with their clients and suppliers, our students to easily access information, and our government to avail services to the public.
This advancement in technology, and its accountable management, was a top priority during our Human Rights Protection Party administration.
However, there is a dark side to technology that every country is now facing.
We are growing increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats and hackers.
People are now exposed to pornographic material that is easily available on the internet, leading to a declining moral standard and more cases of sexual abuse.
Online bullying is getting worse, driving mental health crises and even suicides especially among the youth.
Many nations are dealing with disinformation and false information on social media that has led to political instability and threatened national security.
It is made even harder, when those pushing false information on social media and engaging in corruption are government leaders and officials who see themselves as being above the law.
Samoa felt the destructive force of technology in the lead-up to its 2021 national elections.
The Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party used social media to push disinformation about corruption by the HRPP leadership and their wealth, LTA reforms, and the sale of customary land and state enterprises to the Chinese.
It fueled mistrust and racial tensions amongst our people, tearing families and communities apart.
None of these claims have proven to be true, but they were aggressively promoted on social media by FAST leaders and their supporters.
They continue to do it today without any accountability.
The integration of technology and media in Samoa can still be an effective tool to promote our development.
But Samoa must remain vigilant about the negative impact of technology.
We must not let technology become the Trojan horse that introduces and imposes foreign values and norms that will undermine our culture, tradition and way of life.
This fight demands moral courage and the support of every part of Samoan society from the village chiefs, church leaders, civil servants, law enforcements, academics, media professionals, youth, and most importantly; parents who must lead by example.
CHOGM leaders will have a chance to discuss this issue, share their experiences and find a way to protect their people from this 21st century Trojan horse.
We can only hope the FAST government leadership will be here to listen and learn.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP