Pacific leaders have chosen a Papua New Guinea politician as their nominee for the top job in the 79-nation African, Caribbean and Pacific group.
The vote, taken after the end of the Pacific Islands Forum in Samoa, came after candidates were put forward by both Apia and PNG.
The issue had caused divisions at the summit and the decision had to be made by vote, rather than by consensus.
Last year, the vote for Secretary General of the Forum caused some conflict.
Australia's candidate, Greg Urwin, finally won, but only after a number of rounds of balloting.
By informal agreement it is the Pacific's turn to head the ACP development aid grouping.
