DOCTOR Paula Vivili has been appointed Director-General of the Pacific Community.
His appointment was announced in Nuku’alofa today.
The decision was announced at the end of the 14th Conference of the Pacific Community.
Dr Vivili will be the 23rd Director-General to serve SPC and its 27 members. He assumes the role as the first Tongan to be appointed to lead the organisation since.
Dr Vivili will be the first Tongan to lead the organisation.
His focus is expected to continue in the area of resilience due to the growing threat of climate change on the region.
Speaking after the announcement Dr Vivili expressed his commitment to serving the people of the Pacific in his new role.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be given the trust of the members to serve the Pacific Community as Director-General. I look forward to working with the members, partners, and the very talented staff to progress SPC’s vision. I look forward to times of reflection, consultation and collective decision making and actions to take our work to the next level.”
Dr Vivili previously served as SPC’s Deputy Director-General, Science and Capability for five years and before that as the Director for the Public Health Division for six years. Prior to joining SPC, he worked for the Ministry of Health in Tonga for almost 20 years.
Outgoing Director-General, Dr Stuart Minchin will lead the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Dr Vivili trained in Human Nutrition (Otago University), Medicine (Fiji School of Medicine / University of the South Pacific), Ophthalmology (University of Auckland / Auckland Public Hospital) and International Public Health (University of Sydney) and is an honorary fellow of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine.
Dr Vivili will officially take up his new role in November.