Solomon Islands’ UN envoy vows to increase SI visibility

By Mike Puia

Barrett Salato

THE country’s newly appointed Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Solomon Islands Permanent Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, has vowed to do his best to increase Solomon Islands’ visibility in the international scene.

Barrett Salato was speaking to this paper via email from Switzerland when contacted yesterday.

Mr Salato, who is delighted to be accorded the responsibility, said he hopes to work on many areas of interest to this country.

“I’m hoping to work on many areas of interests to Solomon Islands including trade and developments issues, small, micro and medium business development, health, human rights, labour and even climate change-related issues,” he said.

Salato said most of the international organisations that work to address these issues are based in Geneva and so he plans to check on them.

“I plan is to knock on their doors [international organisations] and seek maximum benefits for Solomon Islands as possible,” Salato said.

He said he has already done some of these works in his previous role as Minister Counsellor and Charge de Affairs in the Mission.

Salato said his new role will step-up his effort in seeking assistance that will benefit this country.

“My plan is to increase Solomon Islands visibility in the international level by contributing to global debates on issues that shape our national policies,” Salato said.

“As a sovereign country we need to pursue and defend our national interests whether on economic, trade, environment, religion or even our culture and traditions.”

Since working as Minister Counsellor and Charge de Affairs in the Mission over the last three years, Salato said his new role is not new as he did perform both technical roles and Ambassadorial role.

The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, has already informed and congratulated him, and two others, on behalf of the Cabinet.

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