Russ Kun
President of Nauru · 1975
Who is Russ Kun?
Russ Joseph Kun was born on 8 September 1975 in Nauru. Before entering elected politics he built a career in the public service, working in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Resources, serving as Acting Chief Secretary in 2008, and sitting on Nauru's National Commission for UNESCO. He was first elected to Parliament for the Ubenide Constituency in 2013 and was re-elected in 2016, 2019, and 2022, also serving as Deputy Minister for Finance, Ports, Tourism, and National Heritage. On 29 September 2022 Parliament elected him President of Nauru, a position he held until 30 October 2023, when he was replaced following a vote of no confidence. As President, Kun reaffirmed Nauru's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan during a state visit in November 2022 and, addressing the 78th United Nations General Assembly in September 2023, called for reform of the UN Security Council and the international financial architecture, and for wider international recognition of Taiwan. He was also active in anti-corruption advocacy through the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, helping develop parliamentary ethics codes for Nauru.
Sources: Russ Kun, national statement to the 78th United Nations General Assembly (September 2023) · Wikipedia: Russ Kun (biographical summary, retrieved 2026)