Appointment of new Head of PACER Plus Implementation Unit
Dr Alisi Wenonahlita Kautoke has been appointed Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), taking over from Mr Roy Lagolago, who has led the Unit since June 2021. Alisi will guide the continued implementation of PACER Plus, the Pacific region’s most comprehensive trade and investment agreement, working with the Parties’ governments, Pacific business communities and investors to deepen economic integration and cooperation across the region. The appointment was welcomed by the PACER Plus Joint Committee Chair, Mrs Distaquaine Tu’ihalamaka, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, Tonga: “The Joint Committee of PACER Plus congratulates Dr Alisi Wenonahlita Kautoke on her elevation to the position of Head of the PPIU. As Chair of the Joint Committee, I look forward to working with her to ensure all PACER Plus members make the most of the Agreement during this next phase. I also wish to pay tribute to the outgoing Mr Roy Lagolago, for his significant contribution and leadership as Head of the PPIU.” Speaking on her appointment, Alisi said: “It is truly an honour to be given the opportunity to lead the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and to serve the Pacific region in this role. I look forward to working closely with our Parties, partners and stakeholders to ensure PACER Plus delivers real opportunities for businesses, workers and communities across the Pacific. My commitment is to listen, collaborate and deliver practical results, so that together we can translate the opportunities of PACER Plus into stronger economies and lasting benefits for our people.” The appointment of Alisi occurs during the first year of the Phase II Implementing Arrangement for Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) under PACER Plus for 2026-30. This funding commitment provided by Australia and New Zealand, provides AUD 31.4 million over five years for the delivery of the DEC Work Programme. The PPIU also acknowledged the contribution of outgoing Head Mr Roy Lagolago, who led the Unit through its establishment phase and the early years of the Agreement’s implementation since PACER Plus entered into force on 13 December 2020. Roy’s term will conclude on 31 July 2026, and Alisi’s term will commence on 1 August 2026. Ten countries are currently Parties to the Agreement: Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. For media enquiries, contact:enquiries@pacerplus.org+685 34038 Biography of Dr Alisi Wenonahlita Kautoke Dr Alisi Wenonahlita Kautoke is a Tongan trade and economic development professional with more than 20 years of experience in regional trade, labour mobility, investment and economic development across the Pacific. She joined the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) in 2022 and most recently served as Labour Mobility Specialist and Adviser for Trade in Services, Movement of Natural Persons and Investment, leading key regional initiatives to support implementation of the PACER Plus Agreement. Throughout her career, Alisi has worked closely with Pacific governments, regional organisations and development partners to strengthen regional economic integration and sustainable development. She was directly involved in the negotiation of the PACER Plus Agreement and has since played a leading role in its implementation. Alisi holds a PhD from the University of Adelaide, Australia, a Master of Public Policy from Massey University, New Zealand, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Economics from the International Christian University, Japan. More articles like this one