NEW APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS TO SAMOA.
His Excellency Mr Adrianus M.M van der Vorst and Afioga Le Mamea Tuiletufuga Ropati Mualia (Photo: Supplied)
At a presentation of credentials ceremony held this morning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, His Excellency Mr. Adrianus M.M. van der Vorst handed the Member of the Council of Deputies, Afioga Le Mamea Tuiletufuga Ropati Mualia, his Letter of Credence, designating him as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Samoa with residence in Wellington, New Zealand.
Since the 13th of April 1976, when diplomatic ties were established, Samoa and the Netherlands have had friendly relations built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect. In order to solve challenges related to climate change, disaster preparedness, sea-level rise, renewable energy, water, food security, oceans/coastal management, and sustainable development, Samoa and the Netherlands have a common interest. Reiterating our steadfast commitment to group collaboration in pursuit of our shared aims for a better world, Samoa and Netherlands continue to work together on issues of mutual concern at the United Nations.
According to Afioga Le Mamea, Mr. van der Vorst's nomination as the Netherlands' ambassador to Samoa would undoubtedly open up new possibilities for cooperation on issues of shared interest in order to advance and enhance the two countries' bilateral relationships. Ambassador van der Vorst was escorted to the presentation of credentials by Taimalie Ernest Betham and his spouse, who serves as the Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Samoa.
An international affairs and communications-focused Master of Public Administration from Leiden University was earned by Ambassador van der Vorst. In 1997, he began working for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he had a number of Senior positions. He served as the Deputy Head of Mission in Nigeria, Albania, and later Ramallah, West Bank, for the Netherlands Diplomatic Missions. Mr. Adrianus M.M. van der Vorst also served as the Netherlands' deputy consul general in San Francisco, California, as well as the country's consul general in Atlanta, Georgia. This is Mr. Adrianus M.M. van der Vorst's first appointment as an ambassador, with dual accreditation to Samoa and Wellington, New Zealand.