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Baron Waqa is the first Nauruan to serve as Secretary-General of the Forum.
photo: Facebook/Fiji Government
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiweni Rabuka says the new Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa is “fully qualified” to take on the role.
Waqa, a former president of Nauru, is the first Nauruan to hold the forum’s top post.
he Started last week and was welcomed at a special ceremony in Suva on Thursday night.
Rabuka said with his wealth of experience, Waqa would serve the region and the people of the Pacific well.
“As someone who has held a number of leadership positions at the national, regional and global levels, we are confident that you are well-equipped to assume this role and lead us well,” he said.
“We are confident that you will serve our region and the people of the Pacific well and with the wealth of experience you bring, we are confident that our ‘Blue Pacific’ will be in good hands.”
Waqa (centre) took part in a special traditional ceremony at the Forum Secretariat on Thursday, presided over by Rabuka (right).
photo: Facebook/Fiji Government
Rabuka said the region continued to face multifaceted challenges, stressing that climate change remained the region’s “greatest threat to our ability to achieve our development aspirations.”
He added that there was an even greater urgency to take collective action to advance shared priorities and goals, as Strategy 2050.
“We have developed an implementation plan for the 2050 strategy and now it is in your hands. We have high expectations because we know what you are capable of.”
Since taking office, Waqa has made his First official regional visit solomon islands, Meet with On June 10, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and Foreign Minister Peter Agovaka.
“One of my priorities as secretary-general will be to continue to strengthen the unity of the Pacific family,” he said.
“We look forward to working with Prime Minister Manele to build a blue Pacific continent and improve the lives of all Pacific peoples.”
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