The Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba will be visiting Solomon Islands for the first time this week, on route to the King of Tonga's Coronation early next month.

Ms. Masire-Mwamba arrives in Honiara today and leaves for Nuku'alofa, Tonga on Friday.

During the week, she will meet with the Governor General of Solomon Islands, His Excellency Sir Nathaniel Waena, Prime Minister Hon. Derek Sikua, Leader of the Opposition Manasseh Sogavare, Speaker of National Parliament Sir Peter Kenilorea, the British High Commissioner Mr Richard Lyne and other dignitaries and community leaders.

Ms Masire-Mwamba will be visiting the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) South Pacific Centre on Thursday, July 23.CYP South Pacific Centre Regional Director Ms. Afu Billy said it is an honour to receive a visit from the international leader and extends a warm welcome.

"I sincerely wish her well in her meetings and discussions with the Solomon Islands Government dignitaries and hope that her visit will enhance the sound relations that the CYP South Pacific Centre has established with the government of Solomon Islands and the governments of the other Pacific countries that she will be also be visiting,

" said Ms. Billy. Ms. Masire-Mwamba is one of two Deputy Secretary-Generals to the Commonwealth, and has been in the position for two months. Originally from Botswana, she has held a number of high level positions, including those of Chief Executive of Botswana's Investment Promotion Agency (BEDIA), Group Manager of Corporate Business and Regulatory Affairs for the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation and UK Business Development Manager for the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation.

Source: Solomon Time