His Excellency The Reverend Sir
Tofiga Vaevalu Falani
GCMG MBE
Falani in 2021
10th Governor-General of Tuvalu
Assumed office
29 September 2021
Monarchs
Prime MinisterKausea Natano
Preceded bySamuelu Teo (acting)
Personal details
SpouseLady Tangira Falani[1]

Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani GCMG MBE is a Tuvaluan religious minister who has served as Governor-General of Tuvalu since 2021 and the president of the Church of Tuvalu since 2008.[2] In his capacity as church president, he has represented the church at meetings of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches in 2009[3] and 2011.[4]

Governor-General of Tuvalu

Falani signing the book of condolence for Queen Elizabeth II at Lancaster House on 17 September 2022

In September 2021, Falani was appointed Governor-General of Tuvalu by Queen Elizabeth II.

Falani meeting the Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace, 5 May 2023

As governor-general, Falani represents the reigning monarch of Tuvalu in the country, therefore effectively acting as Tuvalu's head of state. Falani previously served as the acting governor-general on 14 August 2017 during the absence of Sir Iakoba Italeli.[5]

Honours

Viceregal styles of
Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani
Reference styleHis Excellency
Spoken styleYour Excellency

Falani was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for public and community service in the 2014 New Year Honours.[6][7]

On 18 September 2022, Falani was appointed by King Charles III as Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG).[8][9][10]

References

  1. ^ "The Coronation Roll". Clerk of the Crown in Chancery. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  2. ^ Simati, Sunema Pie (2 September 2009). "A case study of PAC Migrants and their families" (PDF). Massey University. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Full text of "Fifty-Eighth Meeting of the Central Committee"". World Council of Churches. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Full text of "Fifty-Ninth Meeting of the Central Committee"". World Council of Churches. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Rev. Tofiga Falani appointed Acting Governor General". Fenui News. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  6. ^ "New Year honours 2014: the full list". The Guardian. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  7. ^ "No. 60732". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2013. p. 47.
  8. ^ Tuvalu Ministry of Foreign Affairs [@Tuvalu_MJCFA] (19 September 2022). "The Ministry is happy to announce that, during his visit to London, H.E. Governor General Sir Reverend Tofiga Vaevalu Falani was appointed by His Majesty King Charles III to the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George as a Knight Grand Cross (GCMG). @Simon_Kofe https://t.co/HxjgwysklJ" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 September 2022 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Court Circular, 18 September 2022
  10. ^ "No. 64210". The London Gazette. 26 October 2023. p. 21514.
Government offices Preceded bySamuelu TeoActing Governor General of Tuvalu 2021–present Incumbent
Categories