The Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Jelta Wong, revealed that Mr. Noan David Pakop has been appointed as the first Papua New Guinean Director General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).
Mr. Pakop’s appointment, confirmed by the 23rd Forum Fisheries Committee Ministers in Honiara, Solomon Islands, marks a significant milestone for PNG and the broader Pacific region.
Pakop, hailing from Tilienu Island in Manus Province, is the 10th Director General of the FFA since its establishment in 1979. His appointment is historic, as no Papua New Guinean has ever held this prestigious position in the agency’s 45-year history.
Minister Wong expressed his pride in the appointment, stating: "I would like to thank our good Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, and the Government of Papua New Guinea for their trust and undivided support in endorsing PNG's candidacy."
Pakop emphasized the responsibilities and opportunities his new role entails.
"Firstly, it's a government approach to addressing issues nationally and through the region. Fisheries, as you are aware, is one of the biggest economic drivers in the region, let alone Papua New Guinea."
"Whilst there are initiatives taken at the national level, we have to remain relevant and get all of the Pacific moving in the same direction, noting that this is one of the largest resources that we have.”
“We're generating some portion of the revenue from it, but it's not real. So that is the drive in which Papua New Guinea ends up, to take this responsibility in the region," he added.
Pakop also highlighted the collective efforts that led to his appointment through the commitment of Prime Minister Marape, on his endorsement on the application to take up this role, right throughout the government from Foreign Affairs, Attorney General, as well as the government effort, particularly within the fisheries.
He also thanked the Managing Director and the Board of NFA for the support.
Reflecting on the significance of his new role, Pakop added, "It's a one-year process, but to this very moment, Papua New Guinea has now got the post of the DG, Director General of the FFA. I know the weight and the pressure that is required, but that is also the opportunity to run the organisation in a more transparent, accountable way that gives back to the ministers in the region."
Pakop underscored the broader impact of his leadership on the Pacific communities.
"We demonstrate the complement, the support that they have given to show footprint and to show leadership as well in the region. I know at the end of the day, it's our communities and our people that will benefit from this, and it's how this is being discussed and maneuvered at the regional level, through the FFA and discharging its responsibilities in serving our members and being the premier organisation in the region in terms of fisheries management."
"I look forward to take up this role on behalf of the country. I'll do my best to ensure that we provide a different sense of leadership in the region and build on the success of our cooperation and collaboration that has been done in the past, with a unique trait of administration with a bit more responsibility on our region going forward."
