Greg Urwin resigns as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Greg Urwin has formally tendered his resignation to the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.

Reliable diplomatic sources have confirmed to PACNEWS that Mr Urwin’s resignation letter was received by the office of the Prime Minister of Tonga, the chair of the Forum Monday.

A senior government official told Pacnews that a formal announcement on the resignation would have to be made by the chair of the Forum, Dr Feleti Sevele.

Mr Urwin, who is completing his second term in office, is believed to have been forced to take this decision on medical grounds.

His second three year term in office is to be completed at the end of 2009.

The position will not be advertised publicly but will be made via a circular sent to all member governments to nominate a candidate.

A replacement for Mr Urwin is likely to be on the agenda of the annual summit of Pacific Leaders in Niue in August.

PACNEWS was reliably told that Mr Urwin who went to Australia for a routine medical check in December has been advised by doctors not to continue in office.

Source: SIBC