SPC selects first woman to head regional group

Government representatives of the Pacific Conference have unanimously selected Lourdes Pangelinan, the first woman to lead the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

Ms. Pangelinan succeeds outgoing Dr. Bob Dun, who has been holding the post of director-general of the regional organization for four years.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Pangelinan worked in the executive branch of Guam as chief of staff for eight years. She also worked in management positions in the U.S. territory’s Legislature as well as in the judiciary.

Members of the Pacific community described her selection as an “achievement for all the women in the region.”

The Pacific Conference, comprising government representatives from all SPC’s 27 member countries and territories, was unanimous in its praise of “the outstanding achievement” of Mr. Dun, who, over his four years of office, rebuilt the SPC to become the modern, technical organization it is today, striving to address the development needs of the region.

Under his guidance, SPC, the oldest regional organization, has lifted its image and reputation as a thriving, open, effective and forward-looking regional group that has learned to adapt to change.

Backed by strong leadership of his two deputies –- Dr. Jimmie Rodgers heading a team in Suva and Ms. Pangelinan in Noumea -– the SPC has strengthened its technical professional capabilities through its potent team of professional staff.

“My task is to continue to ensure the administrative efficiency of the organization, and to pursue the major goals initiated during Bob’s term of office,” said Ms. Pangelinan.

Among the Mr. Dun’s initiatives the new SPC head wants to pursue are:

• Seek rationalization of Pacific regional organizations and integration with SOPAC (South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission)

• Focus on the question of providing excellent service to our clients, by looking at the impact SPC Programs have on the region.

• While maintaining its headquarters strength, pursue decentralization of SPC activities in other parts of the region, (as is already the case with SPC bases in Suva, Honiara, and the Federated States of Micronesia), in the area of aquaculture research with the assistance of donor partners.

Mr. Dun, who is returning to Australia, said, “It’s good to see the leadership of the SPC coming back to the islands where it belongs; and it’s a nice time for me to go home, knowing I’m leaving the organization in such good hands.”