His Excellency Mr. Ran Yaakoby presented his Letter of Credence to Afioga Le Mamea Ropati Mualia, Member of the Council of Deputies, accrediting him as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to Samoa with residence in Wellington, New Zealand.
The two countries have enjoyed friendly relations since 1977, and at the recent Credential ceremony, they expressed gratitude for the MASHAV development program, which provides training in vital fields such as health, agriculture, and education.
They also celebrated the signing of a Visa Waiver Agreement, which will allow Samoan passport holders to travel to Israel for up to 90 days without a visa starting from 6 July 2023, according to a statement from the Samoa Government. Both countries have cooperated on global issues for peace and development through their shared membership at the United Nations.
Mr. Ran Yaakoby has a remarkable career in diplomacy, having held various senior positions at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he earned a Master’s degree in Conflict-resolution and Management, and Tel Aviv University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
He has served in several diplomatic posts, including as Deputy Consul General and Chargé d’affaires in Sao Paulo, Deputy Ambassador to Sweden, and Minister-Counsellor to Germany. He now serves as the Ambassador of Israel to New Zealand and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Cook Islands, Samoa, and Tonga.
Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Yaakoby served as Director for Combating Antisemitism and for Holocaust Remembrance at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and as Senior Director for Policy and Defence PR at the Prime Minister’s Office. He has also received recognition for his work, including the “Golden Laurel Twig” honorary insignia from the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for promoting peace and consulting Bulgaria on joining the IHRA.
