Russ Joseph Kun (born 8 September 1975) is a Nauruan politician who served as
President of Nauru from being elected in the
2022 presidential election to October 2023.[2]
He has served as a member of parliament for
Ubenide since 2013.
Biography
Kun was born on 8 September 1975.[3] He served as a
scrutineer for the
2003[4] and
2004 general elections.[5] He served as acting Secretary for the Ministry of Commerce Industry & Resources in 2005.[6] He served as acting Chief Secretary in 2008[7] and as acting Secretary of Home Affairs in 2012.[8] Prior to entering Parliament, he worked for the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment.[9] Kun also was a member of the Nauru National Commission for
UNESCO from 2008 to 2010[10] and from 2012[11] to 2013.[12]
Kun was first elected to the
Parliament of Nauru in
2013, as one of the four members from
Ubenide Constituency. He was re-elected in
2016,
2019, and
2022. In the last
Aingimea government, Kun was deputy minister for Finance, Nauru Ports, Tourism, and National Heritage and Museum.[13]
Kun is a member of the
Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). After attending a GOPAC workshop, he led efforts to develop a code of ethics for the Parliament of Nauru. To this end, he served as chair of the parliamentary Standing Committee on the Leadership Code.[14]
In the first parliament sitting after the 2022 general election, Kun was the sole nominee for
President of Nauru. He was sworn in along with his cabinet on 29 September. His own portfolios include foreign affairs and
justice and border control.[15]
On 25 October 2023, a vote of no confidence against Kun passed through parliament.
David Adeang was elected president via secret ballot by the parliament on 30 October.[16]
^"Pacific news in brief for September 28". RNZ News. 28 September 2022.
Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022. Nauru MP Russ Kun is the newly elected president of the republic. He was nominated unopposed in the inaugural sitting of the 24th Parliament, today, Wednesday 28 September.
^Deigidoa, Gideon (16 June 1976).
"Births, Deaths and Marriages"(PDF). Republic of Nauru Government Gazette (27): 4.
Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
^Star, T.W. (30 April 2003).
"G.N.No. 110/2003"(PDF). Republic of Nauru Government Gazette (34): 4.
Archived(PDF) from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
^Solomon, Camilla (20 October 2004).
"Appointment of Scrutineers"(PDF). Republic of Nauru Government Gazette (84): 7.
Archived(PDF) from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
^"G.N.No. 237 / 2008"(PDF). Republic of Nauru Government Gazette (62): 1. 4 June 2008.
Archived(PDF) from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
^"G.N.No. 161/ 2012"(PDF). Republic of Nauru Government Gazette (35): 1. 28 March 2012.
Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
^Solomon, Camilla (20 February 2008).
"G.N.No. 74 / 2008"(PDF). Republic of Nauru Government Gazette (17): 1.
Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
^Grundler, Bernard (16 March 2012).
"G.N.No. 149/ 2012"(PDF). Republic of Nauru Government Gazette (34): 2.
Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
^Paravanoor, Sasikumar (17 June 2013).
"G.N.No. 446 / 2013"(PDF). Republic of Nauru Government Gazette (95): 2.
Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2022.