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Asia and Oceania
Samoa |
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Last reviewed: 10 July 2009 |
Country information
International relations
Samoa's relations with its neighbours
Samoa is an active member of the Pacific Islands Forum. The South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Pacific region office for the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) are located in Samoa.
Samoa's relations with the international community
Samoa is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the ACP grouping, which allows it access to European Union development funding. Samoa's international interests are mainly economic and environmental. Samoan Police have participated in UN and other international peacekeeping missions including in East Timor, Liberia and the Solomon Islands.
Samoa's relations with the UK
The United Kingdom has a long-standing and warm relationship with Samoa based on our shared historic links.
The British High Commissioner to Samoa is Mr George Fergusson, who is based in Wellington, New Zealand. Dr Stephen Rogers is the Honorary Consul at Apia. Samoa's High Commissioner to London is based in Brussels and Samoa also has an Honorary Consul in London, Ms Prunella Scarlett, LVO.
Aid and development
The UK does not have a bilateral aid programme with Samoa. Specific bilateral projects are coordinated by the British High Commission in Wellington. In 2009 the BHC sponsored Hon. Mr Fonotoe Pierre LAUOFO MP to attend the 58th Seminar on Parliamentary Practice and Procedures at Westminster, 1-13 March 2009. The UK is a major funder of EU development assistance, which supports water sector development and a micro-projects programme in Samoa.
Recent visits
The Samoan Prime Minister visited the UK in November 2002 and May 2004 to attend Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meetings. The Samoan Deputy Prime Minister visited the UK in September 2002 to attend the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' meeting.
