CHOGM Day 3: Samoan villagers greet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with green and gold

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was mobbed by enthusiastic locals when he visited their village on the final day of the CHOGM summit of Commonwealth leaders in Samoa.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is hopeful Commonwealth nations will endorse a landmark declaration to protect the ocean from climate change saying it was a priority for Commonwealth leader King Charles III.

“At the leaders’ discussion, a range of national leaders expressed their support for (the ocean declaration) … I think it will be one of the major initiatives coming out of the forum,” he said.

“His majesty, King Charles indicated in his opening statement, and has certainly had a long-term view, that climate change as a new substantial threat, and we need to make sure we provide protection on land, but also on water to mitigate its impact.”

Prime Minster Anthony Albanese receives a warm welcome in Satapuala Village, Samoa. The Prime Minister is in Samoa CHOGM summit. The village “adopted” Australia for the CHOGM summit with each Samoan village representing a different Commonwealth nation during the event. Picture: PMO

The final wording of the declaration, if its made, is expected later today after a leaders retreat marking the conclusion of this year’s event.

Mr Albanese started his final day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at a village outside the capital Apia.

To mark the PM’s visit Satapuala village “adopted” Australia for the event.

Draped in green and gold decorations, with throngs of children singing the Australian national anthem, Mr Albanese was welcomed by the Samoan villagers who titled him chief of the Satapuala village.

Mr Albanese receives a warm welcome in Satapuala Village, Samoa. Picture: PMO

Villages across Samoa represented a different Commonwealth nation for the three-day summit.

Mr Albanese joined ranks with King Charles III with both leaders becoming chiefs of “matai” of Samoan villages.

“A security threat to any one of us is a threat to all of us,” Mr Albanese said announcing the first deployment of the Pacific Police Support Group, under a security deal he signed two months earlier in Tonga at the Pacific Islands Forum.

The deal responds to attempts from China to lure pacific nations, by reinforcing that the region’s security is “for the Pacific … by the Pacific”.

“Families look after each other,” Mr Albanese said.

“It is a privilege to join my fellow Pacific leaders in welcoming officers from 11 nations … demonstrating the spirit of regional co-operation.”

Mr Albanese meets children from Satapuala Village in Samoa ahead of final meetings with Commonwealth heads at the CHOGM summit. Picture: PMO

More than 40 police officers provided security for CHOGM with the partnership expected to support such as the Pacific Islands Forum.

On the sidelines of the forum, Mr Albanese continued his tradition of talking footy with our Pacific neighbours.

“Prime Minister Marape (of Papua New Guinea) was telling me last night that there are well over 1 million people in bars, in community centres, (who) watched the game between the Prime Minister’s 13 of Australia and Prime Minister’s team of Papua New Guinea,” he said.

“This morning the Reverend … spoke about the All Blacks captain being of Samoan heritage.

“We need to emphasise our common interests, rather than any differences.”

Originally published as CHOGM Day 3: Samoan villagers greet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with green and gold