Greg Urwin

Gregory Lawrence Urwin PSM CSI (August 1946 – 9 August 2008) was an Australian career diplomat and top Pacific specialist. Urwin held the post of Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, an important inter-governmental regional organisation from 2004 until 2 May 2008. Urwin had been the longest serving Australian diplomat in the Pacific at the time of his death in 2008. Urwin was also the first non-Pacific Islander to become Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum.

During his tenure as a diplomat and Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Urwin was considered to be instrumental in the rebuilding of failed states and promotion of political stability in the region - especially with the RAMSI mission in the Solomon Islands. The family relocated to the Wollongong area and then to Oak Flats when Urwin was ten years old. Ultimately, despite some opposition, Urwin prevailed and became the first Australian Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2004.

As Secretary General, Urwin played a central role in the adoption of the Pacific Plan at the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Port Moresby in October 2005. Unlike his first nomination, Urwin ran unopposed. Deputy Secretary General Feleti Teo of Tuvalu became acting Secretary General following Urwin's resignation.

Awards In 2001, Urwin was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal for "Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Australia's Relationship with the Pacific." He was awarded the Centenary Medal for "outstanding public service" in advancing Australia's position in the Pacific. The Cross of Solomon Islands is the highest civilian award given in the Solomon Islands and the country's second highest award overall. Sikua will present the award to Urwin's widow in a future ceremony. Urwin was survived by his second wife, Penny and their three sons, Wylie, Geoff and Daryl; his parents, Frank and Verna, of Queanbeyan, Australia; and his brother, Neil, of Murrumbateman.

Memorial services were held in Apia, Samoa; Suva, Fiji and Canberra, Australia at which many leaders from the region were in attendance.

Tuiloma Neroni Slade, who ascended to Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum in August 2008, promised to continue the work of Urwin following his death.

Reactions Reactions to Urwin's death poured in from across the Pacific region where he had worked as a diplomat for more than 30 years.

Pacific Islands Forum – Acting Secretary General Feleti Teo, who succeeded Urwin in May 2008, praised Urwin as the "architect of the Pacific Plan."

French Polynesia – President Gaston Tong Sang called Urwin's death a "major loss" and praised him for granting French Polynesia and New Caledonia associate member status during his time as secretary general.

– Prime Minister Helen Clark said of Urwin, "The South Pacific was where Greg made his home. His enthusiasm and love of our region was very evident in the way he went about his work. Greg was a strong advocate for the Pacific and his passing is a great loss."

– Prime Minister Derek Sikua called Urwin's death a great loss to the region and the Pacific Islands Forum. He commended Urwin for his work on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and his understanding of the Pacific Islands region.

– Prime Minister Feleti Sevele called Urwin a "real son of the Pacific" and praised his work on the Pacific Plan.