Page 14 - IB July 2018

Politics

Tonga’s

Dr Tupou-

Roosen

is new

FFA boss

Incoming Director-General of the Forum Fisheries Agency, Doctor Manu Tupou-Roosen. Photo: Lisa Williams

our Pacific Way and it is the only way that ters of FFA member nations at their 15th
we can ensure a safe, stable and prosper- annual meeting held in Rarotonga early
ous region for our people. My priorities will this month. She will replace James Movick
be empowerment of our people, effective from the Federated States of Micronesia
communication and effective collaboration this November as he has completed his
By Nanise Volau between the FFA Secretariat, members and six year term. Dr Tupou-Roosen currently
all stakeholders. These tools are critical works at the FFA as its Legal Counsel.
DOCTOR Manu Tupou-Roosen, Director to successful cooperation in order for our “It is truly humbling to be entrusted
General-designate of the Pacific Forum Pacific people to prosper. by the FFC Ministers and our member
Fisheries Agency plans to bring to the “Using our skills and resources to con- governments as the incoming Director-
role a strong commitment to empower the tinue strengthening our tools to combat General of the FFA, and I sincerely thank
Pacific people through greater cooperation. IUU [Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated] them for their confidence and this great
And this she believes is only possible fishing as well as to enhance social ben- honour. This achievement belongs to them
through effective communication and efits will also be top of mind for me in and all of our Pacific people.
collaboration between the FFA Secretariat this role. “No-one achieves anything alone and
based in Honiara, Solomon Islands with “I will be actively reaching out to all there are so many to acknowledge. At the
members and stakeholders of the regional members and all stakeholders. I am com- outset, I thank God for all his blessings.
body mandated with assisting member mitted to listening. I am committed to “I would like to express my gratitude to
nations manage their offshore fisheries working closely with the Deputy Director- the Prime Minister of Tonga, the Honour-
better. General Matt Hooper, our staff and our able ‘Akilisi Pohiva and the Tongan gov-
“Our mission is clear - to maximise the members, and all of our partners such as ernment, all of our member governments
economic and social benefits of our Pacific the PNA Office, the Pacific Islands Forum and their FFC Officials, whom I thoroughly
people through the sustainable use of our Secretariat and SPC-FAME Division, to enjoy working with, for their trust. I also
offshore fisheries resources,” Dr Tupou- embrace a wide range of views, to ensure thank my husband and best friend Andy
Roosen wrote in an interview conducted that the FFA is as effective as possible in and our children, my parents Tevita and
via electronic mail. delivering on its mission.” Saane, family and friends for their love
“Our platform to deliver on that mission A Tongan national, Dr Tupou-Roosen’s and unwavering support.”
is also clear - cooperation. This is the cor- appointment as the next DG of FFA was A former Deputy DG of FFA who went
nerstone of our success as a region. It is unanimously adopted by Fisheries Minis- onto become the first CEO of the office of

14 Islands Business, July 2018