UN General Assembly
2016

Later, in 2014, Samoa’s isolation and lack of political clout in the global arena were bridged when Mr. Ban Ki-moon, together with the entire Chief Executive Board, visited to attend the United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States hosted by Samoa on behalf of the Pacific region. On his arrival Mr. Ban was welcomed as “His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations”. A few days later on his departure, he was fondly bid farewell as “Afioga Tupua Ban Ki-moon”, after he was conferred the princely title of Tupua. Such events are now a memorable part of our history. The close rapport between the Secretary- General and our region was further evidenced this morning when Pacific leaders met with him as part of our yearly meetings in New York — a much-anticipated event, which has become an annual feature of our September calendar.