The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele has announced the intention of the Forum Secretariat's Secretary General, Greg Urwin to resign from the position on medical grounds.
"As current Chair of the Forum it is with sadness that I announce that Secretary General, Greg Urwin, has written to me last Friday 2nd May indicating his wish to resign on medical grounds," Hon Sevele said."In light of this, I will now be consulting with my colleague Leaders as well as the Forum Secretariat on the process regarding the appointment of a replacement, possibly to be finalized at the forthcoming leaders meeting in Niue in August."
"On behalf of the 16-member Countries and Leaders of the Forum, I would like to pay tribute to the great work that Mr Urwin has done in his four and half years as the Secretary General. He has led the Secretariat through some very difficult and challenging times, and for that we are most grateful."
"We all wish him well and a speedy recovery."
In the meantime, Deputy Secretary General, Mr Feleti Teo will continue as Acting Secretary General.