Fiji’s former acting permanent secretary of foreign affairs Esala Nayasi has been appointed as the Pacific Islands Forum Deputy Secretary General – Strategic Policy & Programming.
He will take up the role on July 3.
Welcoming the appointment, Forum SG Henry Puna said incoming 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.”
His 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 forum said the position aligns with the 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.
Nayasi served as a Fijian civil servant and diplomat over the course of 18 years at national, regional, and multilateral levels.
