Presentation of Credentials of the Ambassador of the United States of America to Samoa

Thursday 17 st February 2022

H.E. Mr. Thomas Stewart Udall, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of
America to Samoa, presented his Letters of Credence and the Letter of Recall for his predecessor to the
Head of State, Afioga, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, this morning at the Head of State’s official
residence at Vailele.
Ambassador Udall in his remarks during the Credential Ceremony, acknowledged the close relations
between the United States and Samoa. He expressed that both countries are rooted by the shared values of
democracy and freedom and have developed a friendship based on trust and mutual interest strengthened
by people-to-people ties. The Ambassador expressed his determination to strengthen the excellent
relationship between the United States and Samoa.
The Head of State accepted Ambassador Udall’s Letters of Credence accrediting him as the United States
Ambassador to Samoa and thanked him for presenting the Letter of Recall for his predecessor. In his
response the Head of State acknowledged the meaningful cooperation with the United States in the areas
of health, education, environment, EEZ security and Fisheries and the Peace Corps Programme which has
been an important service to the Samoan people contributing to the significant improvements in literacy
and numeracy. The Head of State confirmed that he has every confidence in Ambassador Udall to further
strengthen the existing relations between the United States and Samoa during his tenure.
The credentialing was the first to be done virtually due to current travel restrictions. Ambassador Udall is
the Head of the Embassy of the United States of America in Apia with residence in Wellington, New
Zealand.
H.E. Mr. Thomas Stewart Udall, Ambassador of the United States to Samoa.
Mr. Thomas Stewart Udall was born in Tucson, Arizona in May 1948. Mr. Thomas Udall is a lawyer and
a career diplomat having served in a number positions within the public service which includes, serving
as an Assistant United States Attorney, in the District of New Mexico in (1978-1971) and later becoming
the Attorney General of New Mexico in (1991 -1998). He continued his career as an Untied States
Representative of New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District. From (1999 – 2008) and served as United
States Senator of New Mexico from (2009-2020).
In 1975, Mr. Udall graduated from Cambridge University in England with a Bachelor of Law degree and
later attended the University of New Mexico law school in Albuquerque, New Mexico graduating with a
Juris Doctor in 1977.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
APIA