Roy Lagolago: Head of PACER Plus Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility

Roy Lagolago is the Head of Secretariat for the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility (PPIU) based in Samoa, an international organisation setup to implement the PACER Plus Agreement, strengthen the capacity of Pacific countries to benefit from PACER Plus as well as other regional and international trade agreements. Roy has a background in law enforcement, security, intelligence, investigations, and trade. He was previously the Head of Secretariat for the Oceania Customs Organisation where he negotiated and signed MOU's with key global and regional organisations to support the development of trade and security in the Pacific. Before becoming the Head of PPIU, he assisted with the setup and establishment of the Public Service Fale, a regional organisation for Public Service Commissioners in the Pacific.

Roy spent 20 years in the New Zealand public service and has worked in the Pacific region for more than 10 years as the Programme Manager for the Pacific Leadership Programme, Pacific Liaison Officer/Counsellor for the New Zealand Customs Service. He was also the International Engagement Manager for the New Zealand Customs Services, managing the overseas posts (Australia, Asia, Europe, Americas), Customs Cooperative Treaty negotiations, and the Border Five Secretariat.

Roy's career has seen him work with several global organisations to support the Pacific region and their communities, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, International Narcotics Board, Interpol, Eurpol, World Customs Organisation, World Trade Organisation, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the World Bank, and many others. He has also represented the Pacific region at these global forums to highlight the challenges faced by the Pacific and their communities.

Roy was born and raised in Samoa, and comes from the villages of Fagalii, Fasitoo Uta, and Sapapalii. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociology, and a Master's in Public Management from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.