PAPUA New Guinea has been elected chair of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office Council, taking over for the next 12 months after votes at PASO’s 22nd annual general meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The council named Benedict Oraka, the director of civil aviation and CEO of CASA-PNG, to the post, while keeping Tonga’s Dr Vinolia K Salesi and the Cook Islands’ John Hosking as deputy chairs.
Oraka has served on the PASO Council since 2021.
In his first remarks as chair, Oraka framed the role as a regional one.
“Pacific aviation relies on strong State collaboration to address shared challenges and opportunities,” he said.
“PASO plays a vital role in supporting our member states, and I look forward to working closely with Council members, development partners and the PASO Secretariat to further strengthen aviation safety oversight across our member states and our region.”
The vote also marked the end of Fui Mau Simanu of Samoa’s four-year tenure as chair.
PASO said his leadership helped strengthen regional aviation safety oversight, deepen engagement with member states and development partners, and push through organisational reforms.
PNG’s return to the chairmanship follows Sir Wilson Sagati OBE, who led the council for 13 years until 2020 and remains PASO’s longest-serving chairman.
