Pacific Ocean Commissioner Henry Puna
Henry Puna is the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, part of his responsibilities as the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
As the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum works with Leaders in the region and across the world, with international organisations, the private sector and civil society to strengthen Ocean Governance, build support for the region’s efforts to sustainably develop, manage and conserve the ocean, strengthen coordination and collaboration between ocean stakeholders and ensure progress of the Framework for the Pacific Oceanscape and other ocean related policies and decisions.
A long time pearl farmer and avid fisherman, Henry brings lived experience, insights, and ‘Ocean DNA’ to the values of stewardship, sustainability and legacy for the Blue Pacific.
As the former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and its longest serving national leader, he led the development and launch of the globally renowned Marae Moana– a multiple-use marine park which extends over the entire Exclusive Economic Zone of the Cook Islands, an area of more than 1.9 million square kilometres. It is currently the largest commitment by a single country for integrated management and conservation from ridge to reef and from reef to ocean.
