New diplomat to UN wants more Pacific say over ocean resources

Solomon Islands' incoming representative to the United Nations wants to ensure Pacific countries gain control over their ocean resources.

Transform Aqorau, who was the original chief executive of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, helped turn the group of Pacific Island nations into a force to be reckoned with in the international tuna trade.

In that role, Mr Aqorau wanted the Pacific to be given more say about what happened in their ocean and he would take those ideas with him to New York.

He said he was passionate about ensuring that Pacific nations had a sense of self-reliance, and self-determination.

"I am passionate about ensuring that we try and re-structure our ocean management regime so that we are not just by-standers in the development of our ocean resources but that we are participants."