Statement by the Prime Minister, Honourable Fiame Naomi Mata’afa at the Reception on the occasion of the visit of the Assistant Police Commissioner & to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Samoa-Australia Policing Partnership hosted by the Australian…

SAMOA, May 1 - Wednesday, 1 May 2024 at 7.00pm, Official Residence, Tiapapata

Reverend Siaosi Salesulu

Lau Afioga, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and Masiofo

Ministers of Cabinet,

Chief Justice and Members of the Judiciary,

Members of Parliament,

High Commissioner of Australia, Your Excellency, William Carter Robinson

Assistant Police Commissioner, Nigel Ryan APM

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Talofa and a pleasant good evening to you all present here to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Samoa-Australia Policing Partnership.

In this connection I acknowledge and welcome the Assistant Police Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, Nigel Ryan APM whose presence here this evening adds prominence to our celebrations.

It is fifteen years since Samoa and Australia’s journey through the policing partnership started; celebrating the successes and the growth of the partnership programme and pausing to reflect and review issues that posed difficulties.

The Policing Partnership was premised on improving the effectiveness of and enhanced community confidence in the Samoa Police Services.

Over the years; the partnership programme has been progressively strengthened through exchange programmes for knowledge sharing, training and the meaningful cooperation to address security challenges including; external security threats such as transnational crime and illegal immigration, IUU fishing, transport, customs and border security, the patrol and protection of Samoa’s EEZ as well as emergency response to natural disasters.

The extension of the partnership from 2021 to 2025 saw a focus on new challenges including cyber safety and security. The Australian Federal Police has been rolling out its Cyber Safety Pasifika (CSP) programme under SAPP which aims to help Pacific communities stay safe online and provide police in the region with tools and techniques to investigate cybercrime.

The Forensic Renewal Project under the partnership launched a new Fingerprint software in April 2023 injecting a significant boost to the efforts by the Samoa Police force to rebuild and upgrade forensic capabilities

Through SAPP Australia has provided assistance to ensure that we are in a position to host a memorable and successful Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 24 in the Pacific.

The arrival of the Police Patrol Boat, Nafanua III earlier this year has certainly strengthened our maritime security and surveillance activities to safeguard our waters.

Excellency,

As with all our other development partners, we will continue to develop partnership programmes that focus on capacity and institutional strengthening which are critical to our attainment of our sustainable development goals. SAPP is one such example of effective development cooperation that is also mutually beneficial.

Before I conclude, I would like to wish Assistant Police Commissioner, Nigel Ryan a safe return journey home.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I invite you all to join me in proposing a toast:

“To the continued growth and success of the Samoa-Australia Policing Partnership”

Soifua and God bless.