Monday, 21 October 2024
Tanoa Tusitala Hotel
Excellencies, distinguished guests, dear friends,
Talofa lava and welcome to Apia, Samoa.
It is an honour to stand before you today at the opening of the 2024 Commonwealth People’s Forum, a gathering that embodies the values of solidarity, resilience, and collaboration—values that we in Samoa hold dear.
The last time I opened an event in partnership with the Commonwealth Foundation was in May of this year, at the UNSIDS Conference in Antigua and Barbuda, where we discussed climate resilience and the health implications of climate change. The conversation in Antigua and Barbuda left an indelible mark. It demonstrated that the challenges we face as Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are not ours to tackle alone. They are global challenges that require global solidarity. The discussions we had with civil society, leaders, and innovators at UNSIDS laid the groundwork for deeper engagement and more focused action.
Today, I am delighted to see that we continue to build on this momentum here at the Commonwealth People’s Forum. This forum is all about the 2.7 billion citizens of our Commonwealth. It is giving us all a platform for engaging with the most pressing issues of our time—climate justice, health justice, and freedom of expression—issues that resonate deeply across all our regions and countries.
Climate justice, a major theme of this gathering, matters for all of us. But here in the Pacific, the climate crisis is an existential one. Every day, our resilience in the face of rising seas and extreme weather events is being tested. And every day, we confront the links between climate justice and health justice. From the spread of non-communicable diseases to the mental health challenges triggered by climate displacement, we cannot separate one from the other. Our people’s well-being and our planet’s future are interconnected, and we must find solutions that address both.
As we gather here in Apia to push for climate justice and health justice, we must also turn our attention to how we protect the most vulnerable in our societies—our young people, our elders, those with disabilities, and those already living on the margins. The sessions we will witness at the People’s Forum over the next couple of days remind us that inclusivity is not optional; it is imperative. True resilience is about ensuring that all voices are heard—that no one is left behind.
I am pleased that the third theme of this Forum is freedom of expression. We should not forget that this right, the lifeblood of any healthy democracy, is central to the Commonwealth Charter. We cannot avert our eyes from the fact that recent years have seen an alarming rise in attacks on press freedom, censorship, and the shrinking of civic space across the Commonwealth. Samoa remains committed to championing the freedom of our citizens to speak, to share, and to challenge the status quo. We believe in fostering a Commonwealth where dialogue is open and where all can contribute to shaping a fairer, more just society.
As we focus on these vital issues, we must also think practically about what needs to be in place to advance climate justice, health justice, and freedom of expression. For example, developing health resilience and climate resilience is costly. It is no secret that small states, like Samoa, face an uphill battle when it comes to accessing the financial support we need to adapt to the challenges central to the Peoples Forum. But we are not powerless. Through cross-national partnerships and by encouraging the Commonwealth to do better for all its Member States, we are pushing boundaries and finding new pathways to secure the future of our communities.
As I reflect on the journey we’ve taken together—from Rwanda, where the last People’s Forum was held, to my home here in Samoa—I am heartened by the determination of civil society to continue driving meaningful change. This forum provides a unique opportunity for us to learn from grassroots initiatives, incorporate indigenous knowledge, and inspire one another with bold, new ideas.
In closing, I express my deep appreciation to all those who have organized this event, especially the Commonwealth Foundation and the Samoan Umbrella of Non-Governmental Organizations, who have worked so hard and so well with my colleagues, especially the Public Service Commission. Thank you for ensuring a record representation of the Samoa and Pacific people in this Commonwealth Peoples Forum.
This is a forum of the people—by the people, and for the people. My hope is that as we engage in these vital conversations, we do so with a shared commitment to bold, transformative action. We must remember that collaboration is not just a word—it is a lifeline for our future.
So let us be fearless in our discussions and united in our purpose. Let us challenge each other, learn from each other, and work together to build a Commonwealth that is resilient, inclusive, and just—for all of us, and for future generations.
Thank you, and soifua ma ia manuia.
