Samoa continues to put on a spectacular cultural show of events to welcome United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and leaders and officials of the UN member countries that are in Apia to attend the 3rd international conference on Small Island Developing States.

Pictured in the this slideshow are  His Excellency UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon at the traditional ' ava ceremony where he was conferred the matai (chief) title Tupua from Siupapa/Saleapaga in the district of Lepa, The arrival at the new black sand beach at Vasigiano in Apia of the Hokule'a and Hikianalia.

The crew will join the United Nations SIDS Conference to promote environmental sustainability and ocean health for islands around the world. The performers at the traditional fiafia for opening night to start the UN Conference on SIDS in Samoa, Members of the National Choir who performed at the opening ceremony the song, 'There is hope' specifically composed for the conference.

The weeklong conference is expected to adopt a framework of partnership that will foster the sustainable development of small-island developing states to be known as the Samoa (SIDS Accelerated Modalities Of Action) Pathway.

The conference runs Sept. 1-4.