The former governor-general of Tuvalu vying to head the Commonwealth as its next secretary-general is hoping the region will get behind his campaign to become the first Pacific Islander to get the top role.
Sir Iakoba Italeli is a long-serving Tuvalu government official who has been the Queen's representative between 2010 to 2019. He also held the position of attorney-general from 2002 to 2006.
Sir Italeli says he made the decision to run for the Commonwealth's number one diplomat post because he believes "it is time for a Pacific Islander to guide the organisation."
He spoke to RNZ Pacific's regional correspondent Kelvin Anthony.
Britain's Prime Minister, Theresa May. Photo: The Commonwealth Secretariat
