The Deputy Secretary General, Esala Nayasi. Photo: PIF

The Pacific Islands Forum has announced the appointment of Fijian diplomat Esala Nayasi as the Deputy Secretary General – Strategic Policy & Programming effective from 03 July 2023.

Nayasi joins the Forum from the Government of Fiji, having served as a civil servant and diplomat for the last 18 years at the national, regional and multilateral level.

He has served at senior levels of the Fiji Government, including as Acting Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Welcoming the appointment, Forum SG Henry Puna said incoming DSG Nayasi “has been instrumental in the development of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent during Fiji’s chairing of the Pacific Islands Forum from August 2021 to February 2023. His considerable experience across multilateral, diplomatic and political aspects of Fiji’s regional and global interests will be a welcome addition to the Secretariat team as we continue to serve, with our regional family of Pacific organisations, the collective mandate and direction of our leaders to secure our Pacific future.”

As the incoming DSG leading on Strategic Policy and Programming, Nayasi’s responsibilities will include advising the Secretary General and working with Members’ on strategic regional policy development and the coherent and coordinated implementation of programmes and initiatives, including oversight of the 2050 Strategy and its related implementation plan, through existing regional architecture and mechanisms.

The new position aligns with implementation of the Suva Agreement and returns the Pacific Islands Forum to a two- deputy executive supporting the Secretary General in the effective and efficient management of the Secretariat.

SOURCE: PIFS/PACNEWS