Prime Minster, Lord Fakafanua hosted a Congratulatory Dinner celebrating Dr Paula Vivili appointment as Director General of the Pacific Community ( SPC )

Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, hosted a congratulatory dinner to celebrate the historic appointment of Dr Paula Vivili as Director-General of the Pacific Community (SPC). His appointment marks a significant milestone for Tonga, as he becomes the first Tongan to hold this position in the SPC’s 78-year history. Dr. Vivili’s new role was formally announced at the 14th Pacific Community Conference, held in Nuku‘alofa, Tonga, in October 2025.

Dr Vivili brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience across national and regional institutions, including previous roles as Deputy Director-General of SPC and Director of SPC’s Public Health Division, where he led the region’s COVID-19 response and strengthened health systems across Pacific Island countries.  Prior to joining SPC, he served nearly two decades with Tonga’s Ministry of Health. 

The Prime Minister expressed Tonga’s pride in Dr Vivili’s achievement, describing his appointment as a testament to decades of distinguished service in public health and regional development, and a demonstration of Tonga’s long-standing contribution to Pacific leadership.  

Reflecting on the regional significance of Dr Vivili’s role, the Prime Minister said: “Dr Vivili’s appointment represents a significant step forward not only for Tonga but for the entire region as he brings Pacific insight and leadership that will strengthen SPC. As the region’s leading technical and scientific organisation, the SPC is central to advancing the development aspirations of our nations as we collectively navigate an increasingly complex global environment”

Dr Vivili was in Tonga for the Christmas holidays. He officially assumed his role as the SPC’s 23rd Director-General in November 2025. He is based at the SPC’s Headquarters in Noumea.

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Na’e talitali ‘e he ‘Eiki Palemia ‘i ha polokalama ‘ilo efiafi ke faka’ilonga’i’aki ‘a e hoko ‘a Dr. Paula Vivili ko e Talekita-Seniale ‘o e Kautaha Fakafeitu’u Komiuniti ‘a e Pasifiki (SPC).  Na’e hoko hono fili ‘o Dr Vivili ki he lakanga ni ko e makamaile ki Tonga, he ko e fuofua Tonga ia ke ne hoko ki he lakanga ni, he ta’u eni ‘e 78 ‘o e fokotu’u ‘o e kautaha SPC. Na;e fili ‘a Dr Vivili ki he lakanga he fakataha lahi hono 14 ‘a e Komiuniti ‘o e Pasifiki na’e fakahoko ‘i ‘Okatopa 2025 ki Nuku’alofa ni.

Ko e ta’u ‘e 25 ‘o e taukei ngaue ‘a Dr Vivili he tu’unga fakataki tatau pe ‘i Tonga ni mo e Pasifiki, kau ai ‘a ‘ene hoko ko e Tokoni Talekita Seniale ‘o e SPC, mo e Talekita ki he Va’a Ngaue kitu’a ‘a e SPC, ‘a ia na’a ne tataki ai ‘a e ngaue ‘a e Pasifiki he taimi na’e to ai ‘a e koviti 19, mo tokoni ki hono langahake ‘o e tu’unga mo’uilelei he tukuifonua e Pasifiki. Kimu’a pea ne hoko atu ki he SPC, na’e ngaue ‘a Dr Vivili he meimei ta’u ‘e 20 ma’a e Potungaue Mo’ui ‘a Tonga.

Na’e me’a ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia ‘o fakaha ‘a ‘ene laukau’aki he tu’unga kuo a’usia ‘e Dr Vivili, he ‘oku hoko ‘a hono fili ia ki he lakanga ko e fakamo’oni ia ki he lauita’u ‘o e ngaue ‘osikiavelenga ma’a e mo’uilelei mo e fakalakalaka ‘o e mo’uilelei he Pasifiki, pea ‘ikai ngata ai ka ko e ‘imisi totonu ‘o e langovaka ‘oku fai ‘e Tonga ki he tu’unga taki he Pasifiki.

Koe’uhi ko e ha sino ‘a e lelei ki he Pasifiki ‘o e fatongia ‘o Dr Vivili, na’e me’a ‘a e ‘EIki Palemia: “ ‘Oku hoko hono fili ‘o Dr Vivili ki he lakanga ni ko e sitepu mahu’inga, ‘o ‘ikai ngata pe ‘i Tonga, ka ko e feitu’u ni kotoa, he ‘oku ne ‘omi ‘a e fakakaukau mo e founga taki ke ne fakamalohia ‘a e tu’unga ‘o e Kautaha SPC. Ko e Kautaha eni ‘a e Pasifiki ‘oku taki he ngaahi ngaue fakatekinikale mo e fekumi fakasaienisi, pea ‘oku hoko e ngaahi ngaue ko eni ke ne poupou’i ‘a e ngaue ‘a e tukuifonua Pasifiki ‘i he’enau vilitaki ki he fakalakalaka ‘oku tu’uloa ‘i ha mamani feliuliuaki mo mohu faingata’a.

Na’e ‘i Tonga ni ‘a Dr Vivili ‘i he malolo Kilisimasi. Na’a ne hoko ki hono lakanga ‘i Novema 2025, pea ‘oku ne ‘ulu’i’ofisi ‘i Noumea, Niukaletonia.

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