Page 34 - IB February 2025

People People

Dr Subashni Kumar Emma Veve Jotham Napat Marie Louise Milne Peter Roberts

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Jotham Napat has been elected as Development. Ambassador of Tuvalu to the UAE.
Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister, securing ● Mateni Tapueluelu - Minister for The Fiji Rugby Union Board
the top post unopposed. Former Prime Revenue and Customs. of Directors has terminated the
Minister Charlot Salwai, leader of the appointment of Laijipa Naulivou, who
Reunification Movement for Change, ● Dr Ana ‘Akau’ola - Minister for was the first woman to captain the
nominated Napat, the MP for Tanna. Health.
Fijian women’s rugby team, as Director
The Asian Development Bank has ● Dr Siosiua Moala Halavātau - Minister of Rugby. She had been on the job for
appointed Emma Veve as Director for Agriculture, Food and Forestry. only four days.
General of its Pacific Department, ● Sinaitakala Tu’itahi - Minister for The Tonga National University
where she will be responsible for the Internal Affairs. has appointed Dr Giulio Masasso
department’s vision and strategy in the Tu’ikolongahau Paunga as its inaugural
subregion. Moana Pasifika’s Ardie Savea has Vice Chancellor. Dr Paunga previously
been named as captain for the 2025
Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke Super Rugby Pacific season. The loose served as Deputy Vice Chancellor and
has announced his new Cabinet. The forward has played 94 Tests for the All Vice President for Regional Campuses
ministers are: and Global Engagement at the
Blacks and makes his Moana Pasifika
● Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke - Prime Minister, debut this year. University of the South Pacific (USP)
from June 2014 to June 2024.
Minister for Finance, Minister for Fraud investigator, Sophia H Pretrick,
Fisheries, Minister for Prisons. The University of the South Pacific,
has joined the Pacific Association of
● Dr Taniela Likuohihifo Fusimālohi Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) as a at its 98th Council meeting on Monday
25 November 2024 in Rarotonga, Cook
- Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for program director. Petrick will be based Islands, appointed Daniel Vafo’ou
Meteorology, Energy, Information, in the Federated States of Micronesia Fatiaki as the Visitor for the university
Disaster Management, Environment, (FSM) and was most recently a United for a three-year term commencing
Communications and Climate Change; Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 29 January 2025. Fatiaki is a legal
and Minister for Infrastructure. (UNODC) Transnational Organised Crime
Program Officer. professional with extensive experience
● Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala in judicial leadership across the Pacific,
- Minister for Foreign Affairs and His The Fiji Electoral Commission spanning over 40 years and has served
Majesty’s Armed Forces. has named its new Chairperson, His as Chief Justice of Fiji and Nauru, and
Lordship Justice Usaia Ratuvili. served as a Justice in the Vanuatu Court
● Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi - Minister for
Education, Minister for Lands and Elizabeth Genia has been appointed of Appeal.
National Resources. governor of the Bank of Papua New Prominent Australian-based lawyer
Guinea. Genia was formerly the acting Filipe Batiwale has been appointed
● Paula Piveni Piukala - Minister head of Papua New Guinea’s central
for Public Enterprises, Minister bank, and was permanently appointed Commissioner for the Online Safety
for Police, Minister for Fire and to the position in early 2024. Commission Fiji. Batiwale is a senior
Emergency Services. lawyer with a current practising
In Dubai, HE Saif Abdulla Alshamisi, certificate in Australia, specialising in
● Mo’ale Finau - Minister for Tourism, Assistant Undersecretary for Protocol commercial law, cyber law, and digital
Minister for Justice. asset protection.
Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
● Kāpelieli Militoni Lanumata - has received a copy of the credentials
Minister for Trade and Economic of HE Doctor Tauisi M Taupo,

34 Islands Business, February 2025