On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, Her Excellency Mrs Laurence Beau presented her Letter of Credence to the Member of the Council of Deputies, Afioga Le Mamea Tuiletufuga Ropati Mualia, accrediting her as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Samoa.
In her remarks, Ambassador Beau expressed France’s strong commitment to strengthening its diplomatic presence in the Pacific region, as demonstrated by President Emmanuel Macron’s recent announcement of the decision to open an Embassy in Apia. She also noted that Samoa and France have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations on March 1, 1974.
Deputy Prime Minister Mualia welcomed Ambassador Beau to Samoa and expressed the government’s look forward to hosting the French Embassy. He also noted that Samoa and France have worked collaboratively in the United Nations and at the ACP-EU setting to advance and address issues of common interests, including the promotion of human rights, sovereignty, the rule of law, combating climate change, conservation of our oceans and its resources, building resilience and the attainment of sustainable development. He expressed his confidence that Ambassador Beau’s appointment would provide more opportunities for collaboration on matters of mutual interest to further strengthen Samoa and France’s bilateral ties.
Ambassador Beau holds a Master’s degree in English language, Culture and Economics from Sorbonne University. She has worked as a career diplomat for 30 years in various senior postings, including as Ambassador of France to Botswana, Special Representative to the Southern African Development Community, and Ambassador of France to New Zealand. She has also been honored with the appointment as Knight of the Ordre national du Mérite in 2016 and elevated to the rank of Knight of the Légion d’honneur in 2021.
