Mr. (Nanai) Sovala Agaiava the new PIDC Deputy Head of Secretariat.
PIDC Secretariat and Immigration New Zealand representatives welcoming Mr Agaiava to the PIDC Secretariat. From left: Mr Kevin Kneebone (Immigration NZ rep), Mr (Nanai) Sovala Agaiava (PIDC), Mr Akuila Ratu (PIDC), Ms Rebecca White (Immigration NZ Rep) and Ms Seremana Titoko (PIDC)
Former Assistant CEO, with the Ministry of the Prime Minister, Nanai Mr. Sovala Agaiava is the new Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) based in Apia.
Nanai was responsible for national security and immigration before taking up his new appointment announced by the PIDC this week after an intensive selection process across the region.
The Head of Secretariat, Mr. Akuila Ratu welcomed his new Deputy Head of
Secretariat on behalf of the Board, PIDC Members and staff of the PIDC Secretariat headquartered at the Development Band of Samoa Building in Apia.
In announcing the appointment, Mr Ratu, stated “PIDC is quite fortunate to have recruited Mr Sovala as he comes with a great depth of knowledge and experience having more than 23 years of public service in the Samoan government.
“Mr Sovala’s extensive experience and exceptional qualifications made him the ideal choice for the position.
“His background with the Samoa Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as the Deputy CEO with responsibilities and oversight on national security and immigration gives us great confidence in his ability to drive PIDC’s collective efforts and excellence in border security across the Pacific.”
Mr. Agaiava joined PIDC from the Samoa Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (MPMC), where he was employed as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for four years.
His responsibilities at MPMC included policy analysis and development, national security and immigration as well as serving the executive government of Samoa. Mr. Agaiava is also bringing to PIDC more than 23 years of public services, where he had served in different capacities, ranging from education, youth and community development to local government, project management and economic development.
Mr. Agaiava will work closely with the Head of Secretariat and the Board, PIDC Members, staff and partners of PIDC, in ensuring that PIDC delivers on its core vision “to secure international movement of people for safe and prosperous Pacific Communities.”
The Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) is a forum for official Immigration Agencies of the Pacific region and was established in 1996.
PIDC enables Heads of immigration agencies to discuss issues of mutual interest and to foster multilateral co-operation and mutual assistance aimed at strengthening members; territorial borders and the integrity of their entry systems. PIDCs; approach and work in the region is underpinned by its core values of commitment, openness, family and teamwork, trust and respect, integrity, innovation and flexibility, good governance, rule of law and leadership.
The work of the PIDC is coordinated by a permanent secretariat based in Apia, Samoa.