Pacific-supported Kiwi gets Commonwealth job

The Commonwealth has a new Secretary-General, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Don McKinnon.

McKinnon was elected in Durban at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The Pacific Islands states had been backing Mr McKinnon, who has been a regular visitor to the Pacific Islands and played a major role bringing a peace settlement on Bougainville.

McKinnon succeeds Chief Emeka Anyaoku from Nigeria in April.

In his inaugural speech after his election, McKinnon said his primary aim will be to educate people about the Commonwealth and its agencies’ activities.

He paid tribute to Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who held the post for the past ten years saying that the Commonwealth had achieved a lot during his time.

McKinnon however admitted that there are challenges ahead that must be borne by

the organisation especially in meeting the aspirations of its members.

He said “the Commonwealth must be flexible so that it can be able to meet its members’ aspirations as time changes.’’

The election of McKinnon as

Commonwealth’s Secretary-General makes two New Zealanders holding top posts in international organisations. The other, former New Zealand Prime Minister Mike Moore, heads the World Trade Organisation

(Wto). ■

The new Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon of New Zealand