Farewell reception for Ambassador Senta (December 9, 2024)
2024/12/10
Ambassador Senta and Prime Minister Fiame
Ambassador Speech
Prime Minister Speech
Ambassadors and Representatives of international organizations
Ambassador and Guests
On December 9, 2024, a farewell reception for Ambassador Senta was held. The event was attended by approximately 110 guests, including, the Head of State, the Prime Minister, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of international organizations, making it a grand and memorable occasion. Below is a message of gratitude from the Ambassador.
SPPECH BY H.E. KEISUKE SENTA, AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN,
ON THE OCCASION OF
HIS FAREWELL RECEPTION
9 December 2024
Lau Susuga i le taitai o le sauniga, Susuga le Fa'afeagaiga Semikueva Fa’atoafe,
Afio lau Afioga i le Ao o le Malo, Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II
Afio lau Afioga i le Sui o le fono a Sui Tofia, Le Mamea Tuiletufuga Ropati Mualia,
Afioa lau Afioga le Tamaitai Palemia, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa,
Afifio Afioga i Minisita o le Kapeneta,
Afio lau Afioga le Ta'ita'i o le Itu Agai,
Afio lau Afioga i le Fa'amasino Sili, Satiu Simativa Perese,
Distinguished members of the diplomatic corps,
Uo ma e masani,
Malo lava le soifua manuia i lenei afiafi,
E muamua ona momoli le agaga ole fa'afetai mo le fa'aavanoaina o le tou taimi e auai mai ai lenei fa'atasiga, ma o se taimi mulimuli lenei tatou te mafuta ai ae le'i tuua ma fa'atofa atu lenei atunuu matagofie o Samoa.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I arrived in Samoa on 18 December 2021 and spent my first three weeks in Samoa in a quarantine facility, without beer, without wine, without whisky, very dry days indeed. Therefore, you can imagine how happy I was when I first tasted Taula beer when the quarantine was over. Since then, I kept on drinking Taula, and Vailima, without interval for three years.
During these three years, I saw a big change in Samoan society, from a rather stagnant period with closed international boarders, challenging months to cope with the spread of Covid-19 community cases, recovery of economy and social activities after the reopening of the boarder, and most recently, successful hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) about a month ago.
During these three years, I had a pleasure and honour of witnessing several epoch-making events in the history of Japan and Samoa.
From June 2022 to June 2023, Samoa had a year long celebration of its 60th anniversary of Independence. I enjoyed attending many celebrations organized both in Upolu and Savai’i: parades, songs and dances. I have in my wallet the 60 tala notes issued to commemorate the anniversary, and featuring two Prime Ministers, Prime Minister Fiame and her father, the first Prime Minister of Samoa. I will not use these banknotes but take them to Japan as a souvenir.
The year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary since Japan and Samoa established diplomatic relations in 1973. To commemorate this anniversary, we invited Japanese drum players, Wadaiko Rindo, to Samoa, who visited several schools to enjoy Samoan and Japanese rhythms with the students and teachers, and also performed in a concert at the Art and Cultural Theater in Malifa. I hope you enjoyed it.
Last year, Manu Samoa and Sakura Japan, the Brave Blossoms, matched twice. Samoa won the first match in Sapporo, and Japan was lucky to win the second match in France. Japan and Samoa are also rivals in younger teams. Every year Japan XV visits Samoa to take part in the Pacific Challenge Games, and nearly all Japanese citizens living in Samoa go to Apia Park to cheer up the boys from the land of Rising Sun.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
During the three years, I visited various places to attend hand over ceremonies for our Grant Assistance for Grassroot Human Security Projects. Among them were primary schools and colleges where I enjoyed mixing with students, teachers and villagers. I visited fourteen schools where our Grassroot Projects helped construct or renovate school buildings or halls: Moata’a Primary School; A’ana No.1 College; Palauli Sisifo College; Samalae’ulu Primary School; Fusi Primary School; Gataivai Primary School; Vaimauga College; Lepa-Lotofaga College; Faga Primary School; Salua Manono Primary School; Samusu Primary School; Lalomalava Primary School; Avele College; and Samatau Primary School.
Our Grassroot Projects also covered requests from communities, NGOs, or Government branches, such as Sauago Village Water Project, Salailua Village Water Tank and Apolima Safety House. We handed over vehicles to Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority, Samoa Police, Samoa Water Authority, Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association and Samoa Animal Protection Society. We also funded the renovation of University of South Pacific Savai’i Campus and the construction of a new home for Goshen Trust Mental Health Facility.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It was also my honour to attend the handover ceremony of an inter-island ferry Lady Samoa IV, the dental clinic vehicle, and the police patrol boat Tilafaiga at Matautu Port. I hope this police boat, together with Nafanua III from Australia, will contribute to the safety of Samoan waters.
Since the re-opening of the international border in August 2022, Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers started to come to Samoa again. So far, 11 volunteers came to Samoa after the reopening and at present 7 are working here. Their expertise included: veterinary science; dental health; disaster prevention and management; the education of disabled persons; information and communication technology; and wrestling coach. We are expecting more volunteers joining in coming months, including a specialist in Japanese language education. I beg your assistance for making their stay here in Samoa a valuable occasion to understand each other, in addition to making the best use of their expertise.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On 10 February this year, Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, Foreign Minister of Japan at that time, visited Samoa, and made a courtesy call on the Head of State and the Prime Minister and held a meeting with the Minister of Women, Community and Social Development. The Minister Kamikawa also made a site visit to the Pacific Climate Change Centre, located in the SPREP premises.
During the courtesy call on the Prime Minister Fiame, the Prime Minister and Minister Kamikawa reaffirmed that Japan and Samoa have built cordial and cooperative relations over the years, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year. Minister Kamikawa stated that, as the world is at a turning point in history, she would like to strengthen their relations with trust, based on shared values and principles between Japan and the Pacific Island countries, including Samoa, attaching the importance to regional unity and cohesion.
After the courtesy call, Prime Minister Fiame and Minister Kamikawa signed and exchanged notes for the Improvement of Facilities at the Faculty of Health Science, National University of Samoa, which is a project of up to 2.4 billion yen (48 million tala).
In July this year, the Tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was held under the co-chairmanship of Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, the then Prime Minister of Japan, and Hon. Mr. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, with the participation of leaders and representatives from 19 countries and regions. Prime Minister Fiame was the head of the Samoan delegation.
Reaffirming the relationship between Japan and Pacific Island countries and regions to tackle common challenges and “stride forward together” towards the future, the leaders adopted the PALM10 Leaders’ Declaration” and “the Joint Action Plan” as the outcome of the discussions.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Japan fully supports the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent as well as the Pathway for the Development of Samoa as road maps for the development of prosperous and resilient Samoan society and will work with Samoa under the guidance of these documents as well as the above mentioned PALM 10 conclusions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I think I can say that my three years stay in Samoa was not unproductive. I would like to thank every person in this room, and those who could not make it today, for your greatest support and cooperation afforded to Japan and myself in the course of strengthening cooperation between Japan and Samoa.
Fa’afetai, fa’afetai, fa’afetai tele lava.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In addition to official engagements, I also enjoyed the private life in Samoa. Snorkeling almost every week here in Taumeasina, or at Palolo Deep, or at Savaia Giant Clam Sanctuary. I enjoyed sailing almost every week at Apia Yacht Club, and I thank Commodore Ian Black and all friendly members of AYC for making my life in Samoa very enjoyable, windy, salty, and taula beery.
I also thank James Atherton and his colleagues of Samoa Conservation Society for introducing me to beautiful Samoan mountains and their flora and fauna through a day trekking tours to Mt. Vaivai and Fale o le Fe’e.
Let me also thank Tuiataga Nathan Bucknall and his team at Taumeasina Island Resort for making my stay here very comfortable and relaxing. My successor, Mr. Ryotaro Suzuki, is coming to Samoa from Iceland, from a very icy island to a tropical paradise. I hope he will enjoy his stay in Taumeasina as much as I did.
Last but definitely not least, I thank all staff members of the Embassy of Japan for their hard work and invaluable support to my official activities and private life.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me propose a toast, ia manuia!
SPPECH BY H.E. KEISUKE SENTA, AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN,
ON THE OCCASION OF
HIS FAREWELL RECEPTION
9 December 2024
Lau Susuga i le taitai o le sauniga, Susuga le Fa'afeagaiga Semikueva Fa’atoafe,
Afio lau Afioga i le Ao o le Malo, Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II
Afio lau Afioga i le Sui o le fono a Sui Tofia, Le Mamea Tuiletufuga Ropati Mualia,
Afioa lau Afioga le Tamaitai Palemia, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa,
Afifio Afioga i Minisita o le Kapeneta,
Afio lau Afioga le Ta'ita'i o le Itu Agai,
Afio lau Afioga i le Fa'amasino Sili, Satiu Simativa Perese,
Distinguished members of the diplomatic corps,
Uo ma e masani,
Malo lava le soifua manuia i lenei afiafi,
E muamua ona momoli le agaga ole fa'afetai mo le fa'aavanoaina o le tou taimi e auai mai ai lenei fa'atasiga, ma o se taimi mulimuli lenei tatou te mafuta ai ae le'i tuua ma fa'atofa atu lenei atunuu matagofie o Samoa.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I arrived in Samoa on 18 December 2021 and spent my first three weeks in Samoa in a quarantine facility, without beer, without wine, without whisky, very dry days indeed. Therefore, you can imagine how happy I was when I first tasted Taula beer when the quarantine was over. Since then, I kept on drinking Taula, and Vailima, without interval for three years.
During these three years, I saw a big change in Samoan society, from a rather stagnant period with closed international boarders, challenging months to cope with the spread of Covid-19 community cases, recovery of economy and social activities after the reopening of the boarder, and most recently, successful hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) about a month ago.
During these three years, I had a pleasure and honour of witnessing several epoch-making events in the history of Japan and Samoa.
From June 2022 to June 2023, Samoa had a year long celebration of its 60th anniversary of Independence. I enjoyed attending many celebrations organized both in Upolu and Savai’i: parades, songs and dances. I have in my wallet the 60 tala notes issued to commemorate the anniversary, and featuring two Prime Ministers, Prime Minister Fiame and her father, the first Prime Minister of Samoa. I will not use these banknotes but take them to Japan as a souvenir.
The year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary since Japan and Samoa established diplomatic relations in 1973. To commemorate this anniversary, we invited Japanese drum players, Wadaiko Rindo, to Samoa, who visited several schools to enjoy Samoan and Japanese rhythms with the students and teachers, and also performed in a concert at the Art and Cultural Theater in Malifa. I hope you enjoyed it.
Last year, Manu Samoa and Sakura Japan, the Brave Blossoms, matched twice. Samoa won the first match in Sapporo, and Japan was lucky to win the second match in France. Japan and Samoa are also rivals in younger teams. Every year Japan XV visits Samoa to take part in the Pacific Challenge Games, and nearly all Japanese citizens living in Samoa go to Apia Park to cheer up the boys from the land of Rising Sun.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
During the three years, I visited various places to attend hand over ceremonies for our Grant Assistance for Grassroot Human Security Projects. Among them were primary schools and colleges where I enjoyed mixing with students, teachers and villagers. I visited fourteen schools where our Grassroot Projects helped construct or renovate school buildings or halls: Moata’a Primary School; A’ana No.1 College; Palauli Sisifo College; Samalae’ulu Primary School; Fusi Primary School; Gataivai Primary School; Vaimauga College; Lepa-Lotofaga College; Faga Primary School; Salua Manono Primary School; Samusu Primary School; Lalomalava Primary School; Avele College; and Samatau Primary School.
Our Grassroot Projects also covered requests from communities, NGOs, or Government branches, such as Sauago Village Water Project, Salailua Village Water Tank and Apolima Safety House. We handed over vehicles to Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority, Samoa Police, Samoa Water Authority, Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association and Samoa Animal Protection Society. We also funded the renovation of University of South Pacific Savai’i Campus and the construction of a new home for Goshen Trust Mental Health Facility.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It was also my honour to attend the handover ceremony of an inter-island ferry Lady Samoa IV, the dental clinic vehicle, and the police patrol boat Tilafaiga at Matautu Port. I hope this police boat, together with Nafanua III from Australia, will contribute to the safety of Samoan waters.
Since the re-opening of the international border in August 2022, Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers started to come to Samoa again. So far, 11 volunteers came to Samoa after the reopening and at present 7 are working here. Their expertise included: veterinary science; dental health; disaster prevention and management; the education of disabled persons; information and communication technology; and wrestling coach. We are expecting more volunteers joining in coming months, including a specialist in Japanese language education. I beg your assistance for making their stay here in Samoa a valuable occasion to understand each other, in addition to making the best use of their expertise.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On 10 February this year, Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, Foreign Minister of Japan at that time, visited Samoa, and made a courtesy call on the Head of State and the Prime Minister and held a meeting with the Minister of Women, Community and Social Development. The Minister Kamikawa also made a site visit to the Pacific Climate Change Centre, located in the SPREP premises.
During the courtesy call on the Prime Minister Fiame, the Prime Minister and Minister Kamikawa reaffirmed that Japan and Samoa have built cordial and cooperative relations over the years, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year. Minister Kamikawa stated that, as the world is at a turning point in history, she would like to strengthen their relations with trust, based on shared values and principles between Japan and the Pacific Island countries, including Samoa, attaching the importance to regional unity and cohesion.
After the courtesy call, Prime Minister Fiame and Minister Kamikawa signed and exchanged notes for the Improvement of Facilities at the Faculty of Health Science, National University of Samoa, which is a project of up to 2.4 billion yen (48 million tala).
In July this year, the Tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was held under the co-chairmanship of Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, the then Prime Minister of Japan, and Hon. Mr. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, with the participation of leaders and representatives from 19 countries and regions. Prime Minister Fiame was the head of the Samoan delegation.
Reaffirming the relationship between Japan and Pacific Island countries and regions to tackle common challenges and “stride forward together” towards the future, the leaders adopted the PALM10 Leaders’ Declaration” and “the Joint Action Plan” as the outcome of the discussions.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Japan fully supports the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent as well as the Pathway for the Development of Samoa as road maps for the development of prosperous and resilient Samoan society and will work with Samoa under the guidance of these documents as well as the above mentioned PALM 10 conclusions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I think I can say that my three years stay in Samoa was not unproductive. I would like to thank every person in this room, and those who could not make it today, for your greatest support and cooperation afforded to Japan and myself in the course of strengthening cooperation between Japan and Samoa.
Fa’afetai, fa’afetai, fa’afetai tele lava.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In addition to official engagements, I also enjoyed the private life in Samoa. Snorkeling almost every week here in Taumeasina, or at Palolo Deep, or at Savaia Giant Clam Sanctuary. I enjoyed sailing almost every week at Apia Yacht Club, and I thank Commodore Ian Black and all friendly members of AYC for making my life in Samoa very enjoyable, windy, salty, and taula beery.
I also thank James Atherton and his colleagues of Samoa Conservation Society for introducing me to beautiful Samoan mountains and their flora and fauna through a day trekking tours to Mt. Vaivai and Fale o le Fe’e.
Let me also thank Tuiataga Nathan Bucknall and his team at Taumeasina Island Resort for making my stay here very comfortable and relaxing. My successor, Mr. Ryotaro Suzuki, is coming to Samoa from Iceland, from a very icy island to a tropical paradise. I hope he will enjoy his stay in Taumeasina as much as I did.
Last but definitely not least, I thank all staff members of the Embassy of Japan for their hard work and invaluable support to my official activities and private life.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me propose a toast, ia manuia!