The East-West Centre’s Board of Governors has elected the Henry Puna, former Cook Islands Prime Minister and recent Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, as one of the board’s five international members.
“We are delighted that Prime Minister Puna has agreed to join us on the EWC Board of Governors,” said Board Chairman John Waihe’e III, former Governor of Hawaii. “His deep understanding of the political, economic, and cultural dynamics in the Pacific will be invaluable in helping us fulfill the Centre’s mission of enhancing understanding and cooperation among our region’s nations and peoples.”
“I am no stranger to the East-West Centre and am extremely honoured and humbled to serve on the board of such an illustrious institution,” Prime Minister Puna said.
“Having recently served the Pacific region for a brief term as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, this role will allow me to continue to serve the region in a different capacity and environment.”
As Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum from 2021 until May of this year, he worked to enhance cooperation among Pacific nations on issues such as economic development, environmental sustainability, and regional security.
He has advocated for the interests of small island developing states in international forums and promoted climate resiliency and economic sustainability in the Pacific region, including the adoption of the Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent during his tenure.
The East-West Centre Board of Governors consists of 18 members.
The Governor of Hawaii appoints five members, the U.S Secretary of State appoints five members, and these ten members in turn elect five members from Asia and the Pacific. There are also three ex-officio members: the Governor of Hawaii, the U.S Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the President of the University of Hawaii. In addition to the members, the board also welcomes three nonvoting invitees from the EWC Foundation, alumni association, and the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders.