Caretaker Government Responds to Appointment of CEO Foreign Affairs and Trade

August 22, 2025

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The Caretaker Government have issued a statement on the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer for Samoa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The statement responds to a Press Release by the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi.

Both statements are published below in verbatim:

FAST Party Press Release

Caretaker Government Press Release

The Caretaker Government has considered concerns raised by the FAST Political party through a Press release issued on the 18th of August 2025, and provides the following clarifications:

The Cabinet Approval of the appointment followed a rigorous and transparent process managed by the Public Service Commission in accordance with prevailing policies and procedures.

The Recruitment and Selection process for the position was initiated by the Commission in February 2025 in anticipation of the expiry of the incumbent CEO’s contract in June 2025. The advance activation of the Recruitment process for all Senior Executive positions is a proactive measure by the Commission and Government to ensure an uninterrupted transition of appointments and the smooth flow of operations and services to the public.

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The position was advertised widely for the standard period of one month and at the closing of applications the Commission undertook a merit-based assessment in line with the requirements of the Public Service Act 2004.

The caretaker Government reaffirms its endorsement of the caretaker Conventions which ensures that a caretaker Government does not unduly limit or bind a future Government. Balanced against this aim is the need to maintain the normal operation of public administration.

The application of the conventions in the case of an issue or conflict is ultimately for the Prime Minister to decide.

The appointee is highly qualified and an experienced individual who served in the Public Service for many years. She is well respected both in the region and globally due to her dedication and wealth of knowledge in bilateral relations and foreign policies. The caretaker Government is confident in her capabilities to undertake the role competently.

In respect of Westminster tradition and best practices, it is unconventional for politics to bear in the appointment of public servants.

Any suggestion that a Government would appoint a preferred individual rather than an appropriately qualified and committed individual identified through a proper process is misconceived and should be resisted.