Kiribati’s Taneti Maamau has been elected as President for the third-term in a row.
As we went to press, unofficial results had Pulaalii Nikolao Pula successfully elected as the new Governor for American Samoa, and the new Lieutenant Governor as Pulu Ae Ae Jr.
Turaga Bale Na Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has been sworn in as the seventh President of Fiji. Ratu Naiqama was elected after getting 37 votes.
The East-West Centre’s Board of Governors has elected Henry Puna, former Cook Islands Prime Minister and previous Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, as one of the board’s five international members.
Neharika Gambhir has become the first Analog Astronaut of Fijian-American origin. Gambhir is also a pilot and cyber engineer, and has joined the all-female crew of the Analog Expedition 92.
In CNMI, Commonwealth Ports Authority Chair Ramon A Tebuteb has assigned new Chairs to the committees on airport facilities. They are Dolores P Kiyoshi, who will now chair the seaport facilities committee, and Antonio B Cabrera, who will continue to chair the airport facilities committee.
Professor Teatulohi (Lohi) Matainaho, a world leading researcher in traditional medicine and drug discovery in malaria, cancer, HIV and Tuberculosis and on Papua New Guinea’s biodiversity and formulation of science policies, has been elected as the inaugural President of the Pacific Academy of Sciences.
Guam Senator Frank Blas Jr will be the Speaker of the Republican- controlled 38th Guam Legislature.
Meanwhile, Senator-elect Tony Ada will be the Vice Speaker and Senator Jesse Lujan will be the majority leader. Kontiki Finance Ltd has announced the appointment of Chirk Yam as its new Chairperson.
The new Executive committee of the Fiji Australia Business Council are President Himen Chandra, Vice President Christine Lyons, Vice President Saud Minam and Treasurer Bruce Sutton.
The Grand Pacific Hotel in Fiji has announced the appointment of Robert Clark as its new General Manager.
Suzanne Vares-Lum will leave East- West Center at the end of the year to head the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, with Dr James Scott as interim President.
Senator-elect Shawn Gumataotao will go on to the 38th Guam Legislature. Gumataotao won by just 280 votes, after provisional and absentee ballots were added to the tally.
The National University of Vanuatu (NUV) has announced the appointment of its new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Diploma Program Coordinator, Cedric Kere, and Benoit You as its new Information Technology (IT) Manager.
Vanuatu’s Public Service Commission (PSC) has appointed Levu Antfalo Boaz as the new Director for the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department.
Meanwhile the Chairman of the PSC, Martin Mahe, has been reappointed for another 12 months. Mahe has served in this role for the past eight years.
Retired judge, Filimone Jitoko, has been elected the new Speaker of Parliament of Fiji.
The new Fiji Rugby Union board members are Mosese Naivalu – Legal Director, John Sanday – Commercial Director, Tevita Tuiloa – Commercial Director, Cathy Wong – Women’s Director, Koli Sewabu – Rugby Director, and Conway Beg – Rugby Director.
Guam Visitors Bureau Bureau (GVB) General Manager Carl Gutierrez has resigned from his post. GVB Deputy General Manager Gerry Perez will serve as GM in the interim.
Seiloni Akanete Toakuru has become Vanuatu’s first graduate from the World Maritime University in Sweden.
Josaia Naigulevu and Beverleigh Kanas Joshua have been appointed as the two new judges for the Supreme Court of Vanuatu.
Special achievements
A Papua New Guinean was among top five Red Cross officials awarded a prestigious first-of-its-kind award in Geneva. Aidah Kenneth, 52, from Tegese Village, Buka Island, has been awarded the Movement Family Links medal under the International Committee of Red Cross.
Amelia Latu Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu, PhD, RN, Chief Nursing Officer of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has received the HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein Award from the American Nurses Credentialing Centre (ANCC).
Guam Power Authority General Manager John M Benavente has received the 2024 Professor John M. Phillips Excellence in Government Accountability Award from the Association of Government Accountants, AGA, Guam Chapter.
In memory
Fiji boxer Ubayd Haider, formerly known as Nathan Singh, died on October 26, 2024, two weeks after collapsing at the end of a fight with China’s Zhou.
Lance Seeto, a well-known chef and restaurant owner in Fiji, passed away in October, 2024.
Dr ‘Ana Maui Ta’ufe’ulungaki, 78, a former Minister for Education in Tonga and educator recognised by the University of Auckland for her contribution to education in the Pacific, has died at age 78
