| Dr. Tapugao Falefou | |
| Office1: | Permanent Representative of Tuvalu to the United Nations |
| Term Start1: | 13 February 2023 |
| 1Namedata1: | António Guterres |
| Primeminister2: | Kausea Natano |
| Predecessor2: | Samuelu Laloniu |
| Birth Date: | 1968 |
| Alma Mater: | University of the South Pacific Australian National University University of Waikato |
| Profession: | Public servant |
Dr. Tapugao Falefou (born 1968) is a career public servant from Tuvalu. He took up his post as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations on 13 February 2023.[1] He later presented his credentials as Tuvalu's ambassador to the United States.[2] On 15 April 2023, Dr. Falefou presented his credentials as Tuvalu's ambassador to Cuba.[3]
Falefou was awarded a bachelor’s degree in public administration and management from the University of the South Pacific in Vanuatu.[1] He subsequently studied for a master’s degree in diplomacy and international public policy from the Australian National University.[1]
Falefou also holds a doctoral degree from the University of Waikato in New Zealand.[1] His PhD thesis was on climate change focusing on the impacts of climate change and sea level rise on national and cultural identities of low-lying countries such as Tuvalu.[4]
Dr. Falefou was the Permanent Secretary for the Tuvaluan Department of Communication, Transport and Tourism from September 2006 to December 2008.[1]
From January 2011 to January 2014, he was the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour.[1] During 2011 and 2012 he led the team responsible for the development of the Tuvalu Climate Change Policy.[4]
From August 2017 to July 2019, he was the Permanent Secretary for Communication and Transport.[1]
From August 2019 to March 2020, he was the Permanent Secretary for Justice, Communication and Foreign Affairs.[1]
From 2019 to 2021, he was Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister of Tuvalu in his capacity as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.[1] From 2020 until his appointed as a ambassador, he also served as Secretary to the Government of Tuvalu, which involved being: the Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister; Principal Adviser to the Cabinet; and Head of Tuvalu’s Public Service.[1] From March 2020 to August 2021, he served as Chair of the COVID-19 Regional Task Force, and he also co-chaired, with Prime Minister Kausea Natano, Tuvalu’s national COVID-19 Task Force.[1]