PRESS STATEMENT 82/09

Tuesday 22, December 2009

Condolences on passing of Philipp Muller

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, has expressed deep regret over the passing of Mr Philipp Muller.

“Mr Muller gave exceptional service to the region,” said Mr Slade. “May I extend my deepest condolences to his loved ones on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum family. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed as an admirable regional diplomat and strong rugby man.”

Mr Muller was a former Director of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in the 1980s and Director of the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC).

“He was a fundamental player in building these regional organisations into the strong entities that they are today,” said Mr Slade.

Mr Muller went on to manage the Samoa Rugby Union. He was then appointed Honorary Consul for Nauru in New Zealand in July 2005.

Mr Muller passed away in Auckland on Saturday 19th December at the age of 72.

(Ends)