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 Tuvaluan politician and lawyer. He is currently serving as the 14th Prime Minister of Tuvalu. He took office in 2024.
Mr. Teo was chosen to be the prime minister on February 26, 2024. He was the only candidate nominated by the parliament. Before this, he was elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu in the 2024 Tuvaluan general election.
Feleti Teo's father was Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo. His father was the first Governor General of Tuvalu after Tuvalu became independent from the United Kingdom.
Feleti Teo has held many important leadership jobs in different organizations in the Pacific region. He was the acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2008. He also led the Forum Fishery Agency from 2000 to 2006. From 2014 to 2022, he was the executive director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).
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Feleti Teo's Education Journey
Feleti Teo studied law at two different universities. He earned his first law degree from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Later, he got a master's degree in Public Law from the Australian National University in Australia.
In 1986, he made history. He became the first person from Tuvalu to become a qualified lawyer. He was allowed to practice law in the High Court of New Zealand.
Feleti Teo's Work Before Becoming Prime Minister
Feleti Teo was the first Tuvaluan to serve as the Attorney General of Tuvalu. This means he was the chief legal advisor to the government. He held this important role from 1991 to 2000. Before him, all the Attorney Generals were from other countries.
From 2000 to 2006, he was the Director General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). This agency helps manage fishing in the Pacific. After that, from 2007 to 2013, he was the Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
In 2008, he temporarily served as the acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum. This happened after the previous Secretary General, Greg Urwin, became ill.
In 2014, Feleti Teo was chosen to lead the WCPFC Secretariat as its executive director. This commission works to manage tuna and other fish in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
Mr. Teo was given a special award in 2013. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the government.
What Prime Minister Teo's Government is Doing
After becoming Prime Minister, Feleti Teo chose the members of his government, called the Cabinet. This happened on February 27, 2024.
In March 2024, Prime Minister Teo said that his government's main goal is to deal with climate change. He also mentioned that Tuvalu needs better medical and education services for its outer islands.
His government also talked about the Falepili Union agreement with Australia. They said they support the main ideas of the agreement. However, they also noted that the public in Tuvalu was not fully informed about it. They want to make some changes to the agreement to make it "workable" for Tuvalu.
The new government also confirmed its strong friendship with Taiwan. Prime Minister Teo said that Tuvalu's ties with Taiwan are based on shared democratic values. He also said that Taiwan has been a very loyal friend to Tuvalu.
In his first interview as prime minister, Teo mentioned a part of the Falepili Union treaty he wanted to review. This part said that both countries must "mutually agree" on any security plans Tuvalu might want with other countries. He wants to find a way to protect Tuvalu's independence without changing the whole treaty.
On March 26, 2024, Australia's Pacific minister, Pat Conroy, presented the Falepili Union treaty to the Australian Parliament. This was done to officially approve the treaty. 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. Australia has promised to help Tuvalu if there is a major natural disaster, a health crisis, or military aggression, but only if Tuvalu asks for help.
See also
In Spanish: Feleti Teo para niños
