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

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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.

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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.