SI diplomat to the World Trade Organisation to return home in July

Despite calls to stay on for another three years Solomon Islander and Pacific Islands’ Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation, Robert Sisilo, is returning home in mid July for good.

Mr Sisilo whose three-year contract ends on 15 May 2008, told a meeting of Pacific Trade Ministers held in Nadi, Fiji last week that it was an honour and a privilege to have served the region during the last three years and it’s time to move on.

Ministers at the meeting thanked Mr Sisilo for the excellent service he had given the region during his term of office.

As the Forum Representative Mr Sisilo has been very active in promoting and defending the interests of all Pacific Island Countries in the Doha Development Round negotiations currently taking place at the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mr Sisilo is not sure what exactly he will do next when he returns.

But he has already informed the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Jerry Manele, of his planned return and his willingness to continue serving the people and government of Solomon Islands.

Mr Sisilo, from Sikaiana in the Malaita Province, joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1983 and was the Deputy Secretary when then Prime Minister the late Solomon Mamaloni appointed him Ambassador to the EU from May 1996 to May 2005.

He also represented Solomon Islands at the United Nations in New York from 1986 to 1990.

Source: SIBC