Suva (PACNEWS) Feb 10 – The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Senior Officials Meeting was officially opened Monday with the reaffirmation by the MSG Members on having the strengthened collaboration and renewed commitment as the foundation to advance the interests and enable comprehensive development of Melanesian sub-region and Pacific region in entirety.
This was the key message conveyed as the two day MSG SOM Meeting was officially opened by Chair of the Senior Officials Meeting Barbara Age, Secretary Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Papua New Guinea.
Age thanked the Fijian Government for its support in having Fiji to host the MSG Governing Body Meetings which convened at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
She said the deliberations over the next 3 days will be crucial for MSG members to consolidate recommendations for the Melanesian sub-region to leverage active participation and support for the strategic action plans in taking MSG Secretariat to greater heights. A key feature of the MSG SOM Meeting is to review and finalise the MSG Work Programme and Budget of the Secretariat to map the way forward for the MSG Secretariat.
“I am adamant that our presence here this morning, not only demonstrates your strong commitment and determination to working together as One United Melanesia as enshrined by our founding Fathers, but a manifestation of our shared vision and commitment towards the strengthening of our Organisation, the MSG Secretariat.
“We are consciously aware of the climate change issues affecting our Island states, human right issues, violence against women and girls and children, good governance and accountability issues, national and regional security issues, natural and man-made disasters, neo colonialism and the negative threats of globalisation to name a few. The ever changing landscape of our regional geo-politics requires our firm commitment and recognition to bond together as an united front, and a united sub-regional force.
“Our Governing Body Meetings is a meeting of the MSG Constituent Bodies and therefore demands utmost respect and the dignity it deserves. Therefore, it is our responsibility to oversee and approve the work programme and budget, including the policy intentions of the MSG Secretariat by providing the overarching guidance on its relevance, and its harmonisation with the principles establishing the MSG and one that seeks to serve our Leaders’ Mandates as well as the Melanesian people which we represent,”Age elaborated.
She also commended the leadership of Director General MSG, Ambassador Amena Yauvoli for the significant improvements in the financial outlook of the MSG Secretariat.
