Guillaume Lemoine is the first French Ambassador based in Apia, Samoa Photo: Ministère des Affaires étrangères
France has officially announced the opening of its first dedicated embassy in Apia, Samoa, last week.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this is its first embassy in the Polynesia area.
"[It] thus strengthens the ties between Samoa and the French territories of French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna."
Career diplomat Guillaume Lemoine was appointed on 6 January 2025 as the first French Ambassador based in Apia.
He was previously head of mission in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea from 2020-2024.
Lemoine and a "small team" are still "working on the ground to set up this new diplomatic post".
Ambassador Lemoine presented his letters of credence to the Samoan Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II, when he arrived in Apia on 4 February.
Paris described France and Samoa's relationship as "guided by the same desire to... promote peace, security, the fight against climate change and the protection of biodiversity in the Pacific and worldwide."
"The opening of our new embassy will also facilitate France's commitment to the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), based in Apia."
Until now, Samoa matters were dealt with by the Wellington-based French Ambassador, who was also accredited to Samoa.
French diplomacy also stresses the new embassy "increases France's sizeable diplomatic network in the Pacific region", which complements five other existing embassies (Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu).
The building hosting the offices of the French embassy in Port Vila, Vanuatu, was destroyed on 13 December 2024 by the 7.3 magnitude quake. It has since been operating out of the French Ambassador's residence.
From Nouméa, New Caledonia, France's diplomatic network also includes, in a regional mode, French Ambassador to the Pacific Véronique Roger-Lacan, who took up her posting in October 2023.
