Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is the chief executive officer of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).[1] The Secretariat is based in Suva, Fiji.

Former Secretary General Puna

The Secretary General of the Secretariat is appointed to a three-year term in office by the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum member states.[2] The Secretary General reports directly to the leaders of the member states and the Forum Officials' Committee (FOC).[2] He or she automatically serves as the permanent chairman or chairwoman of the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP).[2]

Responsibilities

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The Secretary General is responsible for a variety of roles and responsibilities within the Pacific Islands Forum and the Secretariat. The responsibilities to PIF member states and observers include the following:

  • Providing "high quality" leadership to the member states.[1]
  • Effectively bring executive management to the office of the Forum Secretariat, as well as its staff and assets.[1]
  • Deliver advice and service to member nations of the Pacific Islands Forum.[1]
  • Advocate the interests of the Pacific Islands Forum to other international organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations.
  • Leading and managing the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), a meeting of the member states' national leaders, as well as the Forum Officials Committee (FOC). This role includes attending and leading the Pacific Islands Forum ministerial meetings, committees, councils and working groups which may be established by either the PIF or the FOC.[1]
  • The Secretary General is chair of the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP).[1]
  • Oversee the implementation of any mandates or directives of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Forum Officials Committee.[1]
  • Effectively implement the Secretariat's work programme.[1]

List of secretaries general

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Please note: Dates may not be correct.

No. Image Name Country Took office Left office
Directors of the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Co-operation
1   Mahe Tupouniua   Tonga November 1972 1980
2 Gabriel Gris   Papua New Guinea 1980 1982 (died in office)
John Sheppard (acting)   Australia 1982 January 1983
3   Mahe Tupouniua   Tonga January 1983 January 1986
4 Henry Naisali   Tuvalu January 1986 September 1988
Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum
Henry Naisali   Tuvalu September 1988 January 1992
5   Ieremia Tabai   Kiribati January 1992 January 1998
6 Noel Levi   Papua New Guinea February 1998 16 May 2004
7 Greg Urwin   Australia 16 May 2004 2 May 2008 (resigned)
  Feleti Teo (acting)   Tuvalu 2 May 2008 13 October 2008
8   Tuiloma Neroni Slade   Samoa [3] 13 October 2008 4 December 2014
9   Meg Taylor   Papua New Guinea 4 December 2014 24 May 2021
10   Henry Puna[4]   Cook Islands 24 May 2021 23 May 2024[5]
11   Baron Waqa[6]   Nauru 3 June 2024[7] Incumbent

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Urwin's stand-in wants the helm". Fiji Times. 2008-08-18. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  2. ^ a b c Vula, Timoci (2011-09-09). "Slade back at the helm". Fiji Times. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  3. ^ Fisher, Mue (2011-09-09). "Forum Leaders endorse Slade's second term as SG". PRESS STATEMENT (83/11). Forum Secretariat. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  4. ^ "Pacific countries select new chief diplomat after fractious vote". msn.com. Reuters. February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  5. ^ "RELEASE: Statement of the Forum Chair, Cook Islands PM Mark Brown on the Transition in Leadership at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat | Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat". forumsec.org. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  6. ^ "RELEASE: Statement by Forum Chair welcoming new PIF Secretary General, Baron Waqa | Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat". forumsec.org. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  7. ^ "RELEASE: Statement by Forum Chair welcoming new PIF Secretary General, Baron Waqa | Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat". forumsec.org. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
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