Women continue to make progress in diverse fields, as the First Secretary to the Vanuatu High Commission in Fiji was appointed High Commissioner, making her the first woman to be assigned to this high level position.
Her commissioning by the Head of State, Nikenike Vurobaravu, was done Wednesday following her appointment by the Foreign Affairs Minister.
Foreign Affairs Minister Jotham Napat and the Director General (DG) of the Ministry, Kalfau Kaloris, both described her appointment as an achievement in terms of women’s participation and leadership in the public life.
DG Kaloris confirmed that Viranria Brown is the first woman to be appointed as a High Commissioner since independence. Brown will play a vital role in the government’s foreign policy. She will deal with diplomatic matters relating to Vanuatu and also the interests and welfare of Vanuatu citizens residing in Fiji.
Minister Napat encourages other women to apply for foreign mission posts like Brown. Brown said she is honoured to be appointed to this professional occupation representing all women in Vanuatu.
Brown has been carrying out duties since August last year as Vanuatu’s Acting High Commissioner to Fiji after the former High Commissioner left for President. She served as the First Secretary to the Vanuatu High Commission in Suva from 2020 to 2023.
She was the Executive Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade (MoFAICET) for five years, from 2015 to 2020. She was a Senior Desk Officer for the Asia/Pacific Division from 2013 to 2015.
Brown served also served at Air Vanuatu as the Acting Ground Handling General Manager from 2009 to 2010 and was the Manager-Crew Training for over a decade, from 1994 to 2008.
The new High Commissioner holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from the Australian National University, a Master’s Degree in Diplomacy from the same university as well as a Bachelor Degree in International Politics and Language from the University of the South Pacific (USP). Vanuatu’s new High Commissioner to Fiji hails from the village of Wunpuko in northwest Santo.