At its meeting last Thursday 26th February the Senior Officials Committee of the Pacific Islands Development Forum endorsed the appointment of Mr Amena Yauvoli as the Interim Secretary General of the PIDF. The Committee also appointed His Excellency Mr Patterson Oti as its new Interim Chair.
Mr Yauvoli replaces Mr Feleti Teo who resigned last month to take up his new appointment as Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). Ambassador Oti, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Fiji, replaces Ambassador Gershon Jackson of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Mr Yauvoli previously served as the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Fiji. Apart from other senior Fiji Government appointments Mr Yauvoli had also served as Senior Policy Adviser for Sustainable Development with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) from January 2004 to December 2005 and Manager/Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community North Pacific Regional Office, Kolonia, Pohnpei State, Federated States of Miconesia from February 2008 to December 2012.
Mr Yauvoli’s appointment is for six months up to the conclusion of the Third PIDF Leaders Summit scheduled for 12-14 August 2015 where a substantive SG will be announced.
Speaking after his appointment Mr Yauvoli said,
“I am deeply humbled by the trust placed in me by the PIDF as the Pacific faces important challenges and milestones for development. As it shifts to an inclusive, resilient and low-emission society the Pacific will require a distinct way of decision-making to negotiate disagreements, build trust among stakeholders and foster a long-term common vision. PIDF as a multi-stakeholder regional platform provides the necessary space for that kind of conversation or talanoa
A United, Distinctive and Sustainable Paci f ic Society
I’m honored to be able to work with others in the Pacific bring about this inclusive, resilient and low-emission Pacific society. One that will offer opportunities for our people to better manage natural capital, protect the environment, create green jobs and achieve inclusive sustainable development.
I take this opportunity to also acknowledge the hard work done by my predecessor.”