Fiji’s Esala Nayasi is the new Deputy Secretary General – Strategic Policy & Programming at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. He joins the Forum from Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was Acting Permanent Secretary.
Superintendent Imran Scotty, Senior Constable Jacaranda Akibwib and Sergeant Drusky Dabwadauw of the Nauru Police Force are the first Nauruans to be awarded the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) medal. The three officers are serving as peacekeepers within South Sudan.
Joseph Xulue has become the first Kanak to graduate from Harvard University with a law diploma. The Fulbright scholar hails from Siloam, New Caledonia, as well as the villages of Lufilufi and Fagamalo in Samoa.
Senior academic at the National University of Samoa, Professor Asiata Dr. Satupaitea Viali, has been named Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology for the Yale University School of Public Health.
Four new Fiji High Court judges have been sworn-in by the President. They are: Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu – Puisne Judge, Justice Samuela Dina Qica – Acting Puisne Judge, Justice Chaitanya Lakshman – Acting Puisne Judge and Justice Senileba Levaci – Acting Puisne Judge.
Six new officers have joined Guam’s Office of the Governor under the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administration. They are Michelle C. R. Lastimoza, Acting Administrator, Guam Environmental Protection Agency; Lisa Fisher, Deputy Director, Department of Administration (DOA); Joseph Carbullido, Acting Director, Department of Corrections (DOC); Andrew Atoigue, Deputy Director, Department of Corrections (DOC); Adrian Cruz, Administrator, Hagåtña Restoration & Redevelopment Authority (HRRA) and Joseph Cabana, Director, Guam Recovery Office.
Dr Matavai Tautunu – the first Samoan to ever publish a doctoral thesis in the Samoan language – has been selected as a special researcher at the Research Center for Pacific Island Countries of Liaocheng University for a three-year term.
Tuasulia Alfred J.M. is Solomon Islands’ new Member of Parliament representing the West Kwara’e electorate in Malaita Province
Axl Rdiall has joined the Australian Embassy in Palau as its new Development and Administration Officer. He previously worked at the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services.
Niue’s re-elected Premier and Minister for Central Agencies, Dalton Tagelagi has confirmed cabinet positions. They are: Esa Sharon-Mona Ainu’u as Minister of Natural Resources with Emani Haile Selessie Fakaotimanava-Lui as Assisting Minister; Crossley Tatui as Minister of Infrastructure and Finance with Ricky Muiakituki Makani as Assisting Minister; and Sonya Manogitaumaife Talagi as Minister of Social Services with Florence Maureen Vilitama-Melekitama as Assisting Minister.
Fiji’s Deputy Speaker of the House, Lenora Qereqeretabua has been re-assigned to the position of Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Samoa’s first female Ombudsman Luamanuvao Katalaina Sapolu has resigned from her post. A lawyer by profession, she was the first woman appointed as Ombudsman and Head of the National Human Rights Institution. Previously she served as the Chief Legal Counsel for the organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) in Brussels.
Dr Yin Yin May has retired after 34 years of service as Director of Hospital Health Services in the Cook Islands. Dr May is a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology.
Three new executives have been elected to lead the Marianas Public Land Trust – Philip Mendiola-Long as Chairman, Dr Rita A. Sablan as Vice Chairman, and Alvaro Santos as Treasurer.
American Samoa’s former Fofo County senator and president of the territory’s Football Federation, Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet is the new Western District Governor.
Dr Fotu Fisi’iahi has been re-appointed as Chief Executive Officer for Tonga’s Ministry of Internal Affairs for four years.
Eleven new permanent secretaries have been officially appointed by Luke Rokovada, Chair of the Fiji Public Service Commission – Dr Andrew Tukana for PS Agriculture and Waterways; Parmesh Chand, PS Civil Service and Public Enterprises; Selina Kuruleca, PS Education; Jone Maritino Nemani, PS Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations; Atelaite Rokosuka, PS Fisheries and Forestry; Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala, PS Foreign Affairs; Mason Smith, PS Home Affairs and Immigration; Manasa Lesuma, PS Housing; Pita Wise, PS Office of the Prime Minister; Isoa Talemaibua, PS Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management; and Eseta Nadakuitavuki, PS Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.
Palau’s Yap State Legislature has confirmed Joses Gallen as the new Attorney General for the state, and new board members of the state’s Environmental Protection Agency: Joseph Giliko, Dominic Brug, Susuan Gooliyan, Julius Chosemal, and John A.Y. Gilsowuth.
Samoa’s Cabinet has endorsed the re-appointment of Leiataua Samuel Phineas as Chief of the Samoa Shipping Corporation for a second three-year-term.
The Public Employees Association of Papua New Guinea has elected new executives. They are President Isowa More and Deputy President Joanne Kutapai.
Solomon Islands’ new Secretary to Cabinet is Nego Sisiolo. He was the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service prior to taking up his new role following the retirement of James Remobatu.
Northern Marianas’ Lieutenant Gov. David M. Apatang has sworn-in two new members of the CNMI Cannabis Commission – Jose B. Palacios and Juan T. Iguel.
The Vanuatu Association of Non-Governmental Organisations has selected Shirley Abraham as its new Secretary General.
Banking expert Peter Aitsi has been appointed to the board of Oilmin Field Services in Papua New Guinea. He was the group chief executive officer of Credit Corporation.
Nasfund Contributors Savings and Loan has hired two new professionals to its management team. They are Gila Ebenosi as Manager for e-Banking and Edwin Mondo as Finance Manager.
Sucharu Tandon is the ANZ Bank’s new Country Head for Samoa. Tandon has around 20 years’ financial services experience across ANZ, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and JPMorgan Chase.
Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) has elected seven new board members — Epeli Maisema, Carol Watkins, Brij Lal, Maciu Lagibalavu, Lydia Lazel, Mike Terry, and David Robertson.
Solomon Islands and Fiji journalists were recently recognised with the inaugural Pasifika Environews Awards. They are: SPREP Best Environment Story – Charles Piringi and Runner Up – Island Business’ Sera Sefeti, OPOC Best Ocean Story – Vijay Narayan and Runner Up – Ben Bilua , Pasifika Environews Best Climate Change Story – Moffat Mamu Ghala and Runner Up – Irwin Angiki.
The Board of the Vanuatu Maritime College has chosen Michael Edward as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the institution, following the resignation of Richard Coleman.
CNMI-born Lt. Col. Adrian R. Evangelista has assumed his new role as commander of the United States’ Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262. Evangelista is also Tinian’s first U.S. service academy graduate.
Egypt’s first Ambassador to Nauru, Mahmoud Zayed, has presented his letter of credence to President Russ Kun.
In Memory
Former politician and Fiji’s first female Deputy Prime Minister, Taufa Vakatale, has passed away at the age of 85.
Tonga’s Royal Highness Princess Mele Siuʻilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili has passed away in Auckland at age 75. Princess Siu’ilikutapu pioneered the way for women in politics in Tonga by becoming Tonga’s first female parliamentarian in 1975.
