MESSAGE FROM THE MSG DIRECTOR GENERAL OBE ON MSG DAY

14 March 2022

PORT VILA, VANUATU : On behalf of the MSG Secretariat Team, allow me to wish all our members, our friends and development partners a Happy MSG Day.

I know I echo the sentiments of our MSG Chair, Honourable. James Marape MP, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Honourable Bob Lougman Weibur, MP Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, Honourable Mannasseh Sogavare, MP Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Honourable Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama MP, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Mr Victor Tutugoro, Spokesman for the Front de Leberation Nationale Kanake et Sociasliste (FLNKS), Associate Membership and Observer Membership of the MSG, allow me to wish you a Happy MSG Day. 

On 14 March 1988, the MSG Principles of Cooperation was signed in Port Vila formally marking the establishment of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Today marks 34 years of the Melanesian Spearhead Group since its formal inception in 1988.  Add two years to account for its initial inception in 1986 in Goroka, and you will have 36 years of existence. 

Paraphrasing one of the founders, Rt Hon. Ezekiel Alebua, no one could have imagined, then, that what had started off as a small pressure group within the Pacific Island Forum, could transform into an important and strategic regional grouping with an established Secretariat in the region.  

Historically, the original issues that galvanized the idea to establish the MSG was to help crusade for the emancipation of the Kanaks in New Caledonia from colonialism and their push to re-enlist New Caledonia on the UN Committee on Decolonization List of Non Self Governing Territories, denouncement of nuclear testing and pushing for the establishment of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, promotion and protection of our Melanesian culture and tradition and, against all odds, nurture the belief that free trade among all MSG Members through the Melanesian Tree Trade Agreement was possible.

Now with a formally established Secretariat, the MSG have further strengthened its mandates through various agreements and establishments, including the Agreement Establishing the MSG and the 2038 Prosperity for all Plan. 

As we celebrate, with thanksgiving, the commemoration of this important day in our history, I would like to take this time to remember and pay tribute to certain individuals who have been in the engine room behind this noble cause.  In Vanuatu, I acknowledge the leadership of the late founding Father of the Republic of Vanuatu, Fr Walter Hyde Lini; Barack Sope, His Excellency Nikenike Vurobaravu, Mr Joe Natuman and other successive Vanuatu Leaders.  In Papua New Guinea, I acknowledge the Leadership of Honourable Paias Wingti, Sir Julius Chan, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Mr William Dihm and Gabriel Dusava. In Solomon Islands, I acknowledge Ezekiel Alebua, the late Sir Peter Kenilorea, and the late Wilson Ifunaoa. In New Caledonia for the Kanaks, I acknowledge the leadership of the late JeanMarie Tjibaou, late Eloi Machoro, Paul Neontine and Rock Wamytan. In Fiji, I acknowledge the leadership of Sitiveni Rabuka who brought in Fiji to join the MSG in 1996 and successive Fiji Leaders.

After over 34 years, it is an opportune time to sharpen our spearhead and recalibrate our strategies in pursuit of our objectives. We must consolidate and reinvigorate the MSG’s role with respect to FLNKS fight for New Caledonia’s independence, continue to maintain a bold stand on nuclear testing and its legacy issues, continue the promotion and protection of Melanesian identity, values, custom and culture as a glue that binds us together, and further the depth and scope of economic and trade cooperation within the ambit of the Melanesian Free trade Agreement.

These are foundational issues for MSG, as they provide the basic element of the MSG DNA.  As a Secretariat, we must uphold the MSG identity and focus on its real interests, what it can do better and add value to and complement regional action and not duplicate activities done elsewhere.  The spearhead metaphor in our name demands us to be pointed and targeted.

At this juncture, let me state here that the MSG grouping, in many ways, is the most significant within the Pacific Island Forum Context. Excluding Australia and New Zealand, by my crude calculations, the MSG constitute almost 98% of the land area, 86% of the population, 91% of the GDP, almost half of the EEZ, and some accounts has close to 90% of the natural resources in the PIF area.  Hence, the comparative advantage is in our favour.  These characteristics rightfully imposes on us a responsibility to be in the forefront of regional actions as we prosecute our regionalism within the Blue Ocean Continent. 

I would like to convey my outmost appreciation to the MSG Leaders, MSG FMM, and the MSG SOM for their confidence and rendered towards my recent appointment as the New Director General of the MSG Secretariat.  The first under the merit-based process.  

By way of conclusion, let me remind us, once again, that our name “spearhead” was not accidental, it was deliberately chosen to personify MSG approach to issues.  Weilded (the spear) by Melanesian warriors to be thrust at specific targets for Melanesian good, to protect Melanesians, and to procure sustenance for Melanesians.

God Bless Melanesia. Happy MSG Day.

Note: It is a standing MSG Leaders decision made on 20 June 2013, for MSG Members to celebrate this day in MSG Capitals. Unfortunately, for us, the COVID 19 restriction had made it impossible for us to meaningfully celebrate this day at the MSG Secretariat, but I hope you will find time today to remember the birth of our Melanesian Solidarity.