Press release
Vote of confidence for SPC Director-General, Dr Jimmie Rodgers
Friday 17 November 2006, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), 36th Committee of Representatives of Governments
and Administrations (CRGA) – “By accepting a ten percent increase in their membership contributions to SPC,
representatives of SPC’s member countries and territories have clearly given a vote of confidence to the work of the
organisation, its direction and its new leadership,” said Dr Jimmie Rodgers, SPC Director-General.
The decision was taken at this week’s meeting of SPC’s governing body, Dr Rodger’s first as head of SPC. Members’
contributions have not increased since 2000.
“It was becoming more difficult to guarantee the same level of high-quality service that the membership has come to
expect and to meet new demands placed on SPC. With the endorsement of this increase, there will be capacity to take on
new initiatives,” said Dr Rodgers.
All members agreed to the increase except the United States, which could not approve the increase due to a US policy
position that applies to all similar organisations.
“This has been a very special CRGA for me,” said Dr Rodgers. “Not only because it is my first CRGA as a humble servant
leading this wonderful organisation, but also because we presented our governing body with an agenda that was not only
challenging and very close to their heart, but also one that required them to really make decisions on what they want
SPC to do, and how it should do it.”
“This CRGA was about engagement from the members, and they engaged beyond my best expectations. They have delivered. The
challenge now is for SPC to reciprocate,” concluded Dr Rodgers.
Ends