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American Samoa Government - PR001-11122025
Posted: November 12, 2025
American Samoa Participates in the 2nd Pacific Disaster Management Ministers Meeting in Koror, Palau
KOROR, Palau - The Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management (ODAPM) Executive Director, Mr. Lologa Olo, proudly represented the Territory at the 2nd Pacific Disaster Risk Management Ministers Meeting, held from November 4–5, 2025, in Koror, Palau. Hosted by the Government of Palau in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC), the Ministerial Meeting convened Disaster Risk Management Ministers and senior officials from across the Blue Pacific Continent to strengthen coordination, share best practices, and advance collective action toward a safer, more resilient Pacific region.
Director Lologa Olo represented American Samoa, joining counterparts from Palau, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Nauru, Tuvalu, and Niue, among others. Dignitaries in attendance included Honorable Raynold B. Oilouch, Vice President of Palau and Dr. Paula Vivili, Deputy Director-General of the Pacific Community (SPC).
Director Olo expressed his gratitude to the Honorable Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula for his leadership and continued commitment to nurturing strong relations with Pacific Island neighbors, and for allowing ODAPM to participate in this important regional gathering on his behalf. He noted that while American Samoa is a U.S. Territory, the Territory’s realities and resilience goals align closely with those of Pacific Island nations across the Blue Pacific Continent. Director Lologa reaffirmed ODAPM’s dedication to advancing community preparedness, disaster resilience, and sustainable recovery through ongoing collaboration with SPC and other regional partners.
During his mission, Director Olo participated in the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Palau National Emergency Operations Center, “Palau Humanitarian Warehouse,” a major milestone supported through regional and development partnerships under the SPC’s Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP). This event symbolizes the region’s shared commitment to enhancing disaster coordination capacity and strengthening national infrastructure for emergency management across the Pacific.
The meeting concluded with the endorsement of the Koror Declaration on Disaster Risk Management, reaffirming regional unity in addressing shared challenges posed by climate change, natural hazards, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. The Declaration supports the implementation of key SPC-led initiatives, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP), and the Surge to 2030 Strategy, which collectively advance a coordinated approach to building resilience across the Blue Pacific Continent.
Director Olo emphasized American Samoa’s unique position as a U.S. Territory within the Blue Pacific region, bridging U.S. federal disaster management frameworks with Pacific-led resilience initiatives. He highlighted The American Samoa Hazard Mitigation Plan Update that was recently approved by FEMA and the Amerika Samoa Annual Disaster Resilience Summit as ODAPM’s undertakings on education-based resilience programs, youth engagement, and cross-sector partnerships that strengthen local capacity and long-term sustainability.
On behalf of the Government of American Samoa, The Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management extends its appreciation to the Government of Palau, the Pacific Community (SPC), and all participating Pacific nations for fostering collaboration, partnership, and unity in advancing regional safety, resilience, and sustainable development across the Blue Pacific Continent.
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