Page 36 - IB May 2025

People People

Belyndar Rikimani Jacinta Hesaie Peter Isoaimo Karla Robin Hershey Josaia Raisuqe
MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Solomon Islands MP for South, Vella The Reserve Bank of Fiji has Minister for Energy. He takes over from
La Vella, and party leader of Solomon appointed Jacinta Hesaie to the role of Kerema MP, Thomas Opa, who has now
Islands People’s First Party, Frederick Chief Manager, Economics Group. Hesaie moved to take on the Finance Ministry.
Kologeto, has officially been sworn in as joined the Reserve Bank in March 2006 American Samoa has appointed
the new Deputy Prime Minister, replacing as an Economist, and was promoted Leonard Seumanutafa as the new Chief
Bradley Tovosia. Also sworn in was to Senior Economist in 2013. In March of Staff, replacing Taito Ali’itasi Afuola-
Cathy Nori, MP for Maringe/Kokota, who 2017, she was seconded to the Local Mauga.
took up the role of Minister for Women, Economist post at the IMF Resident
Youth, Children and Family Affairs. Representative Office for Pacific Islands, Solomon Islands National Parliament
based in Suva. has elected Morris Toiraena, MP for
Fiji’s Public Service Commission has East Honiara Constituency as the
appointed Amenatave Yauvoli as Acting Vision Investments Limited has new Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service appointed Bhavesh Kumar as a Non- Toiraena was nominated by MP for Gizo/
and Public Enterprises. Yauvoli has Executive Director of the Company. Kolombangara Constituency, who is also
been recalled from Indonesia, where Kumar holds a Degree in Computer the Minister for Police, National Security,
he served as Fiji’s Ambassador for four Science from the University of Auckland. and Correctional Services, Jimson
years. He had previously served as Geoff Turner has officially Tanangada.
Permanent Secretary for Commerce, taken office as Tonga’s new Police
Trade and Investment, as well as Commissioner. Turner’s appointment Samoan climate activist and former
Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Miss Pacific Islands, Moemoana
comes at a time when the force is
United Nations Secretary-General focusing on enhancing public trust and Safa’ato’a Schwenke, has been
António Guterres has appointed Karla addressing challenges such as organised announced as UNICEF Pacific’s
Ambassador. In her role as UNICEF’s
Robin Hershey of the United States as crime. Recent initiatives, including the Pacific Ambassador, Schwenke will
the UN Resident Coordinator in Samoa, 2025 Tonga Police Women’s Advisory use her platforms and community
with the host government’s approval. Network Conference, have emphasised engagement to help raise awareness of
Based in Apia, Hershey will lead the leadership development and integrity children’s rights across the Pacific. This
Multi-Country Office for Samoa and within the force. includes access to quality and inclusive
will also coordinate UN development Papua New Guinea MP for Kairuku, education; health and nutrition services;
operations in the Cook Islands, Niue, and Peter Isoaimo, was sworn in as new water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities,
Tokelau.
as well as protection from violence and
abuse among other areas.

36 Islands Business, May 2025