16th July 2018 TONGAN The Prime Minister, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva hosted a special dinner on Tuesday, 10 July evening in honor of the next Director General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, Dr. Manumatavai Tupou – Roosen.
Dr. Tupou-Roosen’s appointment was made at the 15th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministers Meeting (FFCMIN15) that was held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 3 – 5 July 2018. According to the ‘Statement of Outcomes’ from the Meeting, “Ministers unanimously endorsed the recommendation from the FFC 106 Selection Committee to appoint Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen as the next Director General of the Forum Fisheries Agency. Ministers expressed strong confidence that the future of the Agency would be effectively secured through the appointment of Dr Tupou-Roosen who will commence her new appointment in November 2018”.
In his speech, the Hon Prime Minister said, “Manumatavai, this is a very proud moment for Tonga and all Tongans and I am happy to say that the Government supported your application. But I have been reliably informed that even without our support you would probably have been appointed anyway as your expertise and knowledge in the field is highly respected by all FFA members and the industry”.
In response Dr. Tupou-Roosen said, “I have come home especially to thank you Hon Prime Minister for your support. My application would not have been successful without it and that of the Minister for Fisheries, Hon Semisi Fakahau and the CEO of Fisheries, Dr. Tuikolongahau Halafihi. I am humbled by the welcome you have put on for me as it was unexpected. I am appreciative of the support that the Government has given me and I hope that it will continue into the future as it will not be possible to achieve anything without the support of all communities. I promise to do my best for our country and the Pacific”.
Also present at the dinner, which was held at ‘Chef Zero’ in Popua, were Dr. Tupou-Roosen’s parents, Lord Tevita Tupou and Lady Saane Tupou and her 7 year old daughter, Layla, as well as the Minister for Fisheries, Hon Semisi Fakahau, the Director of Fisheries, Dr. Tu’ikolongahau Halafihi, and Pastor Penisimani Tonga.. Dr. Tupou-Roosen and her daughter arrived in Tonga on the evening of 10 July and departed the next day.
The FFA member countries are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. FFA was established to help their 17 member countries sustainably manage their fishery resources that fall within their 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
ENDS
Issued by the: The Prime Minister’s Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tel: (676) 24 644 Fax: (676) 23 888; For media enquiries- Email: pressoffice@pmo.gov.toWebsite: www.pmo.gov.to