First published on 
Henry Puna Photo: Pacific Islands Forum
Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna has been appointed interim director of the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) at the East-West Center, effective immediately.
According to a statement, the announcement was made by East-West Center president Celeste Connors, who outlined a renewed and expanded strategic focus on Pacific economic security beginning in 2026.
"At the direction of our Board of Governors, the Center will deepen and expand its longstanding work advancing economic security in the Pacific beginning in 2026 and beyond," Connors said in her official announcement.
Puna, the first Cook Islander to serve as the secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, achieved another milestone in 2024 as the first Cook Islander appointed to the East-West Center Board of Governors in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Last year, he was elected president of the governing Cook Islands Party, having previously served as its leader from 2010 until his 2020 resignation to assume the top regional role at the Pacific Islands Forum.
Prime Minister and CIP leader Mark Brown said: "This is a terrific recognition of Henry's regional statesmanship and a proud moment for the Cook Islands."
"Our government looks forward to strengthening our relationship with the East West Center."
Puna's appointment comes at a time of increasing global attention on the Pacific region and represents a significant milestone for the Cook Islands, "placing one of its most experienced leaders at the helm of a respected regional policy institution during a critical period of economic and strategic engagement".
The expanded engagement will launch with the upcoming U.S. Investment Summit with Pacific Leaders, scheduled for February 22-24, hosted in partnership with the United States Department of State and United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).
The Summit, to be attended by PM Brown, is expected to strengthen U.S. government and private sector engagement across the Pacific and marks a significant step in elevating the scope and impact of PIDP.
"This next chapter is about action and implementation," East-West Center president Connors emphasised. "We are focused on creating new pathways for investment, collaboration and long-term resilience in the Pacific, grounded in respect and trusted partnership."
Connors also confirmed that Makanani Salā has been appointed deputy director of PIDP. Salā brings significant experience in regional convenings and high-level policy engagement.
Board chair John Waiheʻe reinforced the strategic importance of the Pacific in the Center's future direction, noting that the region is central to the future of the Indo-Pacific.
