His Excellency Karl Eugene M Stouthuysen presents his Letters of Credence to Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, Head of State of Samoa, during a ceremony at Vailele. Photo: MFAT Samoa. Photo: Supplied
His Excellency Karl Eugene M Stouthuysen presented his Letters of Credence to Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa, at a ceremony held this morning at the Official Residence at Vailele. The ceremony officially accredited His Excellency as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Samoa, with residence in Canberra, Australia.
Samoa and Belgium have maintained cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in May 1973. Cooperation between our two countries is primarily through multilateral frameworks such as the European Union–Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (EU-OACPS) and the United Nations.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Stouthuysen emphasised Belgium’s commitment to ocean health and marine resources and has taken actions including reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry within the International Maritime Organisations. He also highlighted Belgium’s ratification of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and its bid to host its Secretariat in Belgium given its location in the heart of Europe.
His Excellency Karl Eugene M Stouthuysen with Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II and Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimaleali’ifano following the presentation of credentials at Vailele. Photo: MFAT Samoa
In response, the Head of State welcomed the Ambassador and acknowledged Belgium’s commitment to the Pacific region, citing the Samoa Agreement as a pillar of this strong partnership. He highlighted climate change as a critical concern for Samoa and the Pacific region and the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C relies on international collaboration with partners including Belgium. The Head of State expressed confidence that the Ambassador’s appointment will further deepen cooperation between Samoa and Belgium in areas of mutual benefit.
Mr Stouthuysen is a career diplomat who has served in various positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium for over 22 years. He has previously served at diplomatic missions of Belgium including as Second Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission in Helsinki, Finland and as the First Secretary at the Embassy of Belgium in Kigali, Rwanda. Mr Stouthuysen was also posted as the Head of Mission at the Consulate of Belgium in Johannesburg, South Africa and as Head of Mission at the Consulate of Belgium in Cape Town, South Africa. He holds a Master’s Degree in Far Eastern Studies-Sinology and an Advanced Masters in International Politics. His Excellency currently serves as Belgium’s Ambassador to Australia and several Pacific Island countries including Samoa.
This is a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Samoa.
