TRIBUTES have started to flow in for former Pacific Islands Forum secretary general, Sir Noel Levi, who died last week in his home province of New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.
He served as Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum from 1998 to 2004 and contributed to strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the economic and political interests of member countries.
Forum Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa, said Levi was a principled leader who strongly believed in the power of regional cooperation.
“He championed greater economic integration among Pacific Island Countries, including through initiatives such as and contribution to strengthening Pacific regional cooperation and advancing the economic and political interests of Forum Island Countries,’’ Waqa said.
Levi played a major role in the implementation of the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement and PACER.
Plus, recognising regional trade as an important pathway toward improved livelihoods, stability, and shared prosperity for Pacific peoples.
Waqa noted Levi’s steadfast commitment to Pacific regionalism and his advocacy for Forum members to speak with a unified voice on matters of regional and international importance.