Page 53 - IB Sept-Oct 2020

People People

Dr Audrey Aumua Mohammed Ajaz Zaheer Hassan Ms Irena Nayacalevu John Ma’o Kali. Cath Cooksley-Little
The Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) has Solomon Islands journalist Robert Luke Iroga is the new
reappointed Parmod Achary as its General Manager for Melanesia Co-Chair for the Pacific Freedom Forum. Iroga has
another four years. Achary was first appointed to the role in also served in high level media advisory roles to the ACP in
2017. He was previously a lecturer in Management and Public Brussels and the Solomon Islands Government before starting
Administration at the University of the South Pacific and held his own magazine print and online publication. He takes over
senior positions with the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs the role from outgoing Co-Chair and former Solomon Star
Authority. editor Ofani Eremae.

Dr William May is the new Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Fiji Airways CEO and managing director Andre Viljoen is the
Fiji National University. Prior to his appointment, Dr May was new chair of the Fiji Development Bank, Minister for Economy
the Dean of FNU’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum has revealed. However his appointment
Sciences’ (CMNHS). raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest, given Fiji
Airways has just borrowed $75 million(US$35 million) from
The first Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China FDB.
(PRC) accredited to the Solomon Islands has presented
his credentials to the Governor General in Honiara. “The Tui Dewes will be New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to
establishment of diplomatic ties between the People’s the Cook Islands. Dewes has previously been posted to India
Republic of China and Solomon Islands in 2019 has ushered in and Turkey.
a new era for bilateral relations,” Ambassador Li Ming said.
The new Vice Chancellor at the University of Natural
Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner for Australia, Resources and Environment in East New Britain, Papua New
John Ma’o Kali, is the inaugural patron of Femili PNG, a Guinea is Professor Isaac Pue.
non-government organisation providing services to survivors
of sexual and family violence. “I truly admire Femili PNG’s Australia’s first resident High Commissioner to Niue, Susan
tireless work in combatting family and sexual violence, Allen has presented her credentials to the Premier Dalton
supporting survivors and changing attitudes. We have seen the Tagelagi. This is Allen’s first posting as Head of Mission to a
recent public outcry in PNG, and I want to add my voice to Pacific Island country.
the campaign to end violence against women in PNG,” High
Commissioner Kali said on his appointment. Cook Islands News has named Rashneel Kumar as its new
editor and Katrina Tanirau as associate editor. “I am excited
The National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) has appointed to lead a talented group of journalists and looking forward
Judah Waffi and Fiona Nelson to the role of Joint Chief to working with them in maintaining the high standard of
Investment Officer. Waffi was formerly the Fund’s acting Chief journalism that my predecessors have produced over the
Investment Officer, and Nelson was formerly Vice President of years,” Kumar said.
Oil Search Asset Strategy. Nasfund CEO Ian Tarutia said their
appointments signalled the Fund’s intention to promote more Cath Cooksley-Little is now General Manager – Marketing,
local talent into key risk positions. Communications & Tourism at Pacific Trade Invest. She has
spent the past four years as Marketing and Communications
India’s next Ambassador to Federated States of Micronesia Manager at PTI. “Now more than ever it’s crucial to look
and Palau is Shambhu S Kumaran. He is currently Ambassador at how we can support on the ground tourism operators to
of India to the Republic of Philippines. Previously, Kumaran navigate and actively put in place strategies to survive and
also served as the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of re-engage when international travel resumes,” says Cooksley-
Morocco. Little, who has maternal ties to Samoa.

Islands Business, September/October 2020 53