Pacific

Reshuffle

Last month many magazines in the Pacific and around the world carefully selected an individual who they considered “Man of the Year” to grace their cover. He was chosen for his contribution to shaping events either positively or negatively in his particular field or area of the world.

Late last year and early this year a number of Pacific islanders were chosen to take positions as heads of regional organisations in what can only be described as a “Pacific Reshuffle”, in which these proven performers moved between regional organisations.

Pacific Islands Monthly’s Martin Tiffany talks to five of these new regional heads Esekia Solofa (Western Samoa), Philipp Muller (Western Samoa), Jioji Kotobalavu (Fiji), Sir Peter Kenilorea (Solomon Islands), leremia Tabai (Kiribati) about their new role and the future.

Solofa becomes the first Pacific islander to be vice-chancellor of the University of the South Pacific and talks about his role in this important education position.

Muller leaves the Forum Fisheries Agency after 11 years to take over as director of the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC).

He replaces Kotobalavu who is likely to become executive secretary (Pacific) in the proposed United States Pacific Island Joint Commercial Commission (JCC).

Muller has been replaced at FFA by former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Kenilorea. Kenilorea left the Solomon government as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Relations to take up his present position.

Kiribati’s former president Tabai becomes the new secretary general of the Forum Secretariat.

These men will shape many important events from fishing and off-shore minerals to education and trade in this area of the world for at least the next three years.