Greg Urwin - Biography - Death - Reactions

Reactions

Reactions to Urwin's death poured in from across the Pacific region where he had worked as a diplomat for more than 30 years.

Pacific Islands Forum – Acting Secretary General Feleti Teo, who succeeded Urwin in May 2008, praised Urwin as the "architect of the Pacific Plan." Teo described Urwin as "a very humble person and very sensitive to many cultures that make up the membership of the Pacific Islands Forum family."

French Polynesia – President Gaston Tong Sang called Urwin's death an "immense loss" and praised him for granting French Polynesia and New Caledonia associate member status during his time as Secretary General. Sang said, "French Polynesia does not forget either that it is also under Greg Urwin's mandate and under his determining impetus, that the Forum has opened up to the French Pacific entities by granting them the associate member status (for New Caledonia and French Polynesia) and the observer status for Wallis and Futuna."

New Zealand – Prime Minister Helen Clark said of Urwin, "The South Pacific was where Greg made his home. His enthusiasm and love of our region was very evident in the way he went about his work. Greg was a strong advocate for the Pacific and his passing is a great loss."

Papua New Guinea – Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare sent condolences to Urwin's wife, Penny Urwin. Somare called Urwin "A man of the Pacific, from the Pacific and for the Pacific," who legacy of strengthened Pacific cooperation.

Solomon Islands – Prime Minister Derek Sikua called Urwin's death a great loss to the region and the Pacific Islands Forum. He commended Urwin for his work on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and his understanding of the Pacific Islands region.

Tonga – Prime Minister Feleti Sevele called Urwin a "real son of the Pacific" and praised his work on the Pacific Plan.

Read more about this topic:  Greg Urwin, Biography, Death

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