Feleti Teo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Feleti Teo
OBE MP
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Teo in 2024
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| 14th Prime Minister of Tuvalu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 26 February 2024 |
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| Monarch | Charles III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Governor General | Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Panapasi Nelesoni | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Kausea Natano | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of Parliament for Niutao |
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| Assumed office 26 January 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Samuelu Teo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
Feleti Penitala Teo
9 October 1962 |
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| Political party | Independent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Tausaga Teo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Samuelu Teo (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of Canterbury Australian National University |
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| Occupation |
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| Profession | Lawyer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Feleti Penitala Teo, born on October 9, 1962, is a politician and lawyer from Tuvalu. He became the 14th Prime Minister of Tuvalu in 2024. He was chosen to be a member of Tuvalu's Parliament in the 2024 Tuvaluan general election. Before that, he was a leader at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).
Teo was chosen as prime minister on February 26, 2024. He was the only candidate, so the parliament elected him without opposition.
His father was Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo. Sir Fiatau was the first Governor General of Tuvalu from 1978 to 1986. This was after Tuvalu became independent from the United Kingdom.
Feleti Teo has held many important jobs in international groups in the Pacific region. In 2008, he was the acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum. He also led the Forum Fishery Agency from 2000 to 2006. In December 2014, he became the executive director of the WCPFC. He stayed in that role until December 2022.
Contents
Education and Early Career
Becoming a Lawyer
Feleti Teo studied at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. He earned his Bachelor of Laws degree there. Later, he got a Master of Laws degree in Public Law from Australian National University in Australia.
In 1986, he made history. He became the first person from Tuvalu to qualify as a lawyer. He was allowed to practice law in the High Court of New Zealand.
Serving Tuvalu as Attorney General
From 1991 to 2000, Teo was the Attorney General of Tuvalu. This means he was the chief legal advisor for the government. He was the first Tuvaluan to hold this important position. Before him, all the Attorneys General were from other countries.
While Teo was studying in Australia, another lawyer, Cameron Dick, temporarily took over his role. After Teo, Iakoba Italeli became the Attorney General in 2002.
Leadership in Pacific Organizations
Fisheries and Forum Leadership
From 2000 to 2006, Teo was the Director General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). This agency helps Pacific island countries manage their fishing resources. Its main office is in the Solomon Islands.
From 2007 to 2013, he worked as the Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). This organization helps Pacific island nations work together. When the Secretary General, Greg Urwin, became ill in 2008, Teo stepped in as acting Secretary General. He served until Tuiloma Neroni Slade was appointed later that year.
Leading the WCPFC
In 2014, Teo was appointed as the interim secretary general for a new group. This group was called the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF). He held this role until he was chosen to lead the WCPFC.
In December 2014, Teo was appointed to lead the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). This commission works to manage tuna and other fish in the Pacific Ocean. He served as its executive director until December 2022.
Recognition for Service
In 2013, Feleti Teo received a special award. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award recognized his important contributions to government service.
Teo's Government and Priorities
Forming the Cabinet
After becoming prime minister, Feleti Teo chose his government team. On February 27, 2024, he appointed the members of his Cabinet. These are the ministers who help him run the country.
Focusing on Climate Change
In March 2024, Prime Minister Teo stated his government's main goal. He said that dealing with climate change was their top priority. He also mentioned that Tuvalu needs better medical and education services for its outer islands.
The Falepili Union and International Relations
The Teo government also discussed the Falepili Union with Australia. This is a special agreement between the two countries. On February 28, 2024, a statement from the government supported the main ideas of the union. However, they also noted that the public in Tuvalu was not fully informed about it. The government wants to make some changes to the agreement to make it work better for Tuvalu.
The statement also confirmed Tuvalu's strong relationship with Taiwan. It said, "The new government wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the long-term and lasting special relationship between Tuvalu and the Republic of China, Taiwan."
In his first interview as prime minister, Teo explained why Tuvalu values its ties with Taiwan. He said their connection is based on shared democratic principles. He also mentioned that Taiwan has been very loyal to Tuvalu.
Teo also spoke about a part of the Falepili Union treaty. This part says both countries must agree on any security plans Tuvalu makes with other nations. Teo wants to review this clause. He hopes to find a way to protect Tuvalu's independence without changing the whole treaty.
On March 26, 2024, Pat Conroy, Australia's Pacific minister, presented the Falepili Union treaty to the Australian Parliament. This was done to get the treaty officially approved. Conroy stated that Tuvalu's new government wants to continue with the Falepili Union. He also confirmed that Australia would work with Tuvalu to respect its independence. Conroy added that Australia would help Tuvalu if there was a major natural disaster, a health crisis, or military aggression. This help would be given if Tuvalu asked for it.
See also
In Spanish: Feleti Teo para niños
