Fiji's Ambassador for Climate Change and Oceans Amena Yauvoli is the new Director General for the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
This was revealed by Fiji's foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola Thursday when he met with EU heads of mission in Suva.
The experienced Fijian diplomat was interim Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) before he was appointed as Ambassador for Climate Change and Oceans.
Ambassador Yauvoli previously served as Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
Apart from other senior Fiji Government appointments Yauvoli had also served as Senior Policy Adviser for Sustainable Development with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) from January 2004 to December 2005 and Manager/Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community North Pacific Regional Office in Federated States of Micronesia from February 2008 to December 2012.
PACNEWS understands Ambassador Yauvoli was shortlisted in that position with a top Vanuatu diplomat.
Ambassador Yauvoli replaces former Director General Peter Forau, who resigned citing lack of budgetary support and declining commitment from MSG countries to the group's programme.
Ambassador Yauvoli’s appointment is expected to be formalised at the MSG Special Leaders Summit next month in Vanuatu.
The MSG Special Leaders’ Summit will take place in early May 2016 at the MSG Secretariat in Port Vila.