Secretariat support for Samoa
Elections support
The Commonwealth Election Professionals Initiative helped staff from Samoa’s electoral management body (EMB) learn about upholding independence, elections observation and voter education. They also built skills in encouraging equality between women and men in elections.
Human rights
In February and June 2018, the Commonwealth Small States Office in Geneva helped Samoa engage with UN organisations.
The Secretariat helped Samoa build skills to improve its participation in the United Nation’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.
The Secretariat helped national human rights institutions including the Ombudsman of Samoa to carry out work such as reporting on family violence.
Drafting laws
The Secretariat worked with Samoa to build skills to write and reform legislation.
Trade
The Commonwealth’s Hub and Spokes Programme helped Samoa learn about trade in services, intellectual property rights and competition. The country passed laws on competition and consumer protection as a result.
Trade work
Natural resources
The Secretariat worked with Samoa’s government to help it prepare to negotiate with the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
Blue Charter
Samoa is a member of the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance and Marine Protected Areas Action Groups.
Connectivity Agenda
Samoa is a member of the Regulatory and Supply Side Connectivity cluster of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda. The Connectivity Agenda is a platform for countries to exchange best practices and experiences to trade and investment and undertake domestic reform.
Samoa and the Commonwealth
Samoa hosted the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia in October 2024.
2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
