EU Commissioner Urpilainen travels to Apia to sign the Samoa Agreement 

Brussels, 13 November 2023

On 14-15 November, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen will travel to Apia to sign the landmark Samoa Agreement, underpinning the EU’s strengthened partnership with 79 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific, the largest alliance of countries at a global level, in an important geopolitical context. As the most comprehensive Partnership Agreement between the EU, its Member States and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) countries, it paves the way for important advances in human development, combatting climate change, peace, security and good governance for the next 20 years. Global Gateway, the EU’s positive offer to build trusted and sustainable connections with our partner countries, will support its implementation. The new Agreement will send a strong signal of inclusiveness and reinforce the capacity of the OACPS and the EU to cooperate and act together on common global challenges, such as climate change, health, peace and security and other issues of global dimension.

On 14 November, Commissioner Urpilainen will also participate in a roundtable discussion with civil society organisations. She will also participate in a field visit to Leififi College in Apia to discuss the Get Into Rugby+ project promoting rugby for girls and women and providing access to information on gender-based violence to female athletes, coaches and teachers. The Commissioner will meet with Ms Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister of Samoa, and announce new disbursement of the Samoa WASH and Climate Change programme.

On 15 November, Commissioner Urpilainen will meet with leaders from the Pacific States to discuss the regional protocol under the Samoa Agreement and participate in the EU-OACPS Joint Ministerial Council, to discuss the new agreement, how to take forward its implementation, as well as the importance of strengthened international cooperation ahead of COP28. In the afternoon, the Commissioner will take part in the signing ceremony of the Samoa Agreement and deliver a speech alongside partners.

EbS will provide audio-visual coverage of the events.