Dr. Paula Vivili has been appointed as the 23rd Director-General of the Pacific Community (SPC), marking a historic moment as he becomes the first Tongan to hold the position. This announcement was made by Tonga’s Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala during the conclusion of the 14th Conference of the Pacific Community, held in Tonga last week. Dr. Vivili will oversee SPC’s operations across its 27 member countries, with a pronounced focus on enhancing regional resilience against the growing threats posed by climate change.
In a statement from SPC, it was indicated that Dr. Vivili’s role is critical as the organization strives to meet the evolving needs of Pacific communities. The SPC’s efforts will increasingly involve collaboration with various partners to support initiatives centered around just transitions and climate resilience.
Dr. Vivili expressed his gratitude for being entrusted with this significant leadership role, reiterating his commitment to work closely with the members, partners, and SPC’s diligent staff to advance the organization’s objectives. He emphasized the importance of collaborative decision-making and building upon the solid foundation established by his predecessor, Dr. Stuart Minchin.
Before this appointment, Dr. Vivili served as SPC’s Deputy Director-General for Science and Capability for five years, and prior, he led the Public Health Division from 2013 to 2020. His strong academic background includes degrees in Human Nutrition and Medicine, complemented by a Master’s in International Public Health and specialized training from the World Health Organization.
Dr. Minchin, the outgoing Director-General, praised Dr. Vivili’s visionary leadership, noting its potential to continue advancing SPC’s commitments to Pacific communities. Dr. Vivili’s official start date will be in November, succeeding Dr. Minchin, who is moving on to lead the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
This new appointment comes at a time when regional cooperation is vital, particularly in the face of environmental challenges. The hope is that Dr. Vivili’s leadership will further strengthen both the SPC’s initiatives and the collaboration among Pacific nations, fostering resilience and progress for all member states.
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