Dr. Tapugao Falefou | |
|---|---|
| Permanent Representative of Tuvalu to the United Nations | |
| Assumed office 13 February 2023 | |
| Secretary General | António Guterres |
| Prime Minister | Kausea Natano |
| Preceded by | Samuelu Laloniu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 (age 57–58) |
| Alma mater | University of the South Pacific Australian National University University of Waikato |
| Profession | Public servant |
Dr. Tapugao Falefou (born 1968) is a career public servant from Tuvalu. He took up his post as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations on 13 February 2023. [1] He later presented his credentials as Tuvalu's ambassador to the United States. [2] On 15 April 2023,Dr. Falefou presented his credentials as Tuvalu's ambassador to Cuba. [3]
Falefou was awarded a bachelor’s degree in public administration and management from the University of the South Pacific in Vanuatu. [1] He subsequently studied for a master’s degree in diplomacy and international public policy from the Australian National University. [1]
Falefou also holds a doctoral degree from the University of Waikato in New Zealand. [1] His PhD thesis was on climate change focusing on the impacts of climate change and sea level rise on national and cultural identities of low-lying countries such as Tuvalu. [4]
Dr. Falefou was the Permanent Secretary for the Tuvaluan Department of Communication,Transport and Tourism from September 2006 to December 2008. [1]
From January 2011 to January 2014,he was the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs,Trade,Tourism,Environment and Labour. [1] During 2011 and 2012 he led the team responsible for the development of the Tuvalu Climate Change Policy. [4]
From August 2017 to July 2019,he was the Permanent Secretary for Communication and Transport. [1]
From August 2019 to March 2020,he was the Permanent Secretary for Justice,Communication and Foreign Affairs. [1]
From 2019 to 2021,he was Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister of Tuvalu in his capacity as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. [1] From 2020 until his appointed as a ambassador,he also served as Secretary to the Government of Tuvalu,which involved being:the Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister;Principal Adviser to the Cabinet;and Head of Tuvalu’s Public Service. [1] From March 2020 to August 2021,he served as Chair of the COVID-19 Regional Task Force,and he also co-chaired,with Prime Minister Kausea Natano,Tuvalu’s national COVID-19 Task Force. [1]