HONIARA-BASED Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has congratulated the incoming Secretary General to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Dame Meg Taylor, and honoured the contribution and leadership of outgoing SG, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.
The outgoing SG ends a six-year term as he coordinates his final annual Pacific Islands Forum Leaders summit in Koror, Palau.
“We echo the acknowledgement of Pacific Forum Leaders that Secretary General Slade has steered the Forum Secretariat through very challenging times,” says FFA Director-General James Movick.
”We will miss his wise counsel and leadership in the Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific (CROP) and thank him for his dedication and diligence as the Interim Pacific Oceanscape Commissioner,” Mr Movick added.
“The passing of the torch to Dame Meg Taylor is an historic one, insofar as her being the first woman to head PIFS.
“However, gender was not the basis for her selection.
“Dame Meg brings outstanding national and global professional experience and a well-known high level of energy, intellect and commitment that will serve the region well in this time of transition under the new Pacific Plan Framework,” the Director-General said.
“I have already issued an invitation to Dame Meg Taylor to visit FFA secretariat in Honiara.
“We look forward to formally welcoming her to meet the team and discuss our work in the oceanic fisheries sector, given the importance of fisheries issues to the members of the Forum. This is of particular importance in view of the growing focus and urgency around Oceans work, and our own agency service to members in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.”
Dame Taylor, currently serving as a senior official at the World Bank, brings over 20 years of experience working in the region and internationally, including serving as PNG’s Ambassador to the United States, Mexico and Canada.
