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Gov. Lemanu to lead first virtual Polynesian Leaders Group summit

Polynesian leaders group logo showing map of region
Building resilience in times of uncertainty
Source: ASG media release

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga will host the first-ever Virtual Polynesian Leaders Group (PLG) summit between island nations of the Blue Pacific region this Thursday, January 28, 2021.

American Samoa currently holds the chair position, which is turned over annually to the next partner or at the next possible meeting. The 2020 PLG summit did not occur due to the Measles and COVID-19 outbreaks.

The governor said in a media release, "The theme for the upcoming PLG meeting is 'Building Resilience in Times of Uncertainty.' Our Polynesian culture defines our unified goals of building partnerships and paving the way for a prosperous and sustainable future for the  region."

"This theme is directly related to how the Pacific islands are working together during this pandemic to overcome  adversity. We need to remain vigilant about other issues affecting our  islands, livelihood, economics, culture, and language. I hope that the  results of this week’s discussion will be formatted and addressed  accordingly at the next Pacific Islands Forum Meeting," he said in the release.

Governor Lemanu expressed his greatest appreciation to PLG  founder Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi for his foresight. "I am thankful for the PLG Secretariat, our partners in Samoa for all the hard work in  implementing PLG initiatives, information sharing among PLG members, and the logistics and planning to make these annual meetings a reality."

Prime Minister Tuilaepa, stated that the goal and mission of this Polynesian alliance is to work together to seek a future for our Polynesian people and countries.

At the meeting, American Samoa plans to address matters related to COVID-19, Agriculture and Fisheries, Climate Change, and Information Technology. 

BACKGROUND

The Polynesian Leaders Group (PLG) is an international governmental cooperation group bringing together eight independent or self-governing island nations and territories in Polynesia.

As the various countries come together to share their governmental affairs, the PLG provides an opportunity to engage and educate each  other on issues that present the most challenges within their respective countries. Issues such as education, culture and language, environmental conservation (climate change), healthcare, and regional  economics.

These discussions intend to provide a vehicle that strengthens the partnerships between all island nations of Polynesia

The PLG core values promote a mutual understanding and cooperation among members and encourage sharing knowledge and experiences in awareness and education to promote culture, traditions, and languages; to encourage  mutual support of development efforts; to encourage respect for the  quality of governance; to encourage the strengthening of connections  with institutions or regional and international cooperation.

The PLG meetings are exclusive and allow for a safe space where members can share knowledge of achieving sustainable economic prosperity, observing democratic values, and promoting that human rights are promoted and protected and upholding the rule of law.