Dr Visesio Pongi, will become the first Pacific Islander to be Director of the UNESCO regional office when he starts work on Monday.
The Matangi Tonga magazine reports Dr Pongi, who is Tongan, is a pioneer in taking leadership roles in regional organisations.
In 1999 he became the first Pacific Islander to be the director of the South Pacific Board for Educational Assessment in Suva.
Besides being director of the UNESCO Apia office, Dr Pongi will also be the UNESCO representative to 14 Pacific Member states and three associated members.
He started his working career as a teacher, then a principal at Tonga College.
