UNESCO and National University of Samoa Inaugurate Tafesilafa‘i Exhibition at the 26th Pacific History Association Conference

Strengthening Regional Dialogue on Cultural Heritage

Cultural preservation and heritage is a central theme of the 2025 Pacific History Association (PHA) Conference. UNESCO supported a series of dedicated sessions that brought together experts from Australia, Fiji, Samoa, and New Zealand to deepen regional dialogue on safeguarding cultural heritage in its diverse forms.

The programme explored critical and emerging themes such as World Heritage in the Pacific Islands, examining opportunities and challenges for protection, conservation, and sustainable management; cultural resilience and digital archiving, highlighting how technology can strengthen cultural continuity and access to knowledge; and crafting cultural resilience through Oceanic tattoo practices, demonstrating how embodied cultural traditions remain powerful expressions of identity, continuity, and community cohesion.

These exchanges enriched the conference's academic and cultural agenda and strengthened UNESCO's broader support to Pacific Member States in advancing inclusive cultural policies and heritage safeguarding efforts.

Tafesilafa'i: A Journey Through Pacific Resilience

UNESCO and NUS jointly opened the Tafesilafa'i exhibition with Professor Tuifuisa'a Patila Amosa, Vice-Chancellor of NUS, and Dr. Saui'a Louise Mataia Milo, Dean of the Faculty of Arts-setting the tone for a week dedicated to cultural dialogue, historical inquiry, and the celebration of Pacific resilience

.Curated by Ms. Maluiao Matatumua Leua Latai, Tafesilafa'i brings to life the 2025 conference theme Le Solosolou: Resilience in the Face of Adversity. Through art, photography, and storytelling, the exhibition explores a central question:

How does Pacific culture enable communities to endure, adapt, and thrive?

The exhibition highlights the enduring role of material arts, ritual practices, and oral traditions in anchoring Pacific identities, strengthening social cohesion, and guiding communities through rapid environmental and societal change-including the growing impacts of climate stressors.

Curator Ms. Leua Latai noted: "Tafesilafa'i honours the wisdom carried in our stories and daily practices-wisdom that continues to guide us through adversity."

This message strongly echoes UNESCO's mandate to safeguard culture as a foundation for wellbeing, resilience, and sustainable development.

Culture at the Centre of Climate Action and Development

Speaking at the inauguration, Ms. Sara Garcia de Ugarte, Culture Programme Specialist at UNESCO, reaffirmed the Organization's commitment to ensuring that culture remains central to policy, planning, and sustainable development in the Pacific:

"For UNESCO, the connection between resilience and culture is foundational. In the Pacific, our work is guided by a strong conviction: culture is not an accessory to development-culture is a pillar of development. It shapes identities, strengthens cohesion, and equips communities to meet some of our region's most pressing challenges."

The importance of Pacific intangible cultural heritage-including navigation, performing arts, oral traditions, craftsmanship, and traditional knowledge-in climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and intergenerational learning, consistent with the principles of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was underscored.

The event also featured innovative cultural performances by students of the HTE264 Teaching Expressive Arts at Primary Level course, choreographed by Primary Teacher trainees (Class of 2023) and Senior Lecturer Ms. Maluiao Matatumua Leua Latai.