Consultative meeting successfully conducted with SOM Chair & the PNG Department of Foreign Affairs Officials

A successful online meeting was conducted via ZOOM on 9 September 2020 between senior staff of the MSG Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatu, led by the Acting Director General George Hoa’au, and Chair of the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) and Secretary, Papua New Guinea Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Ms Barbara Age and her senior officials within the Ministry.

According to the rotational basis as agreed to by the founding Fathers of MSG, PNG is currently assuming the Chairmanship role of the MSG. Alternatively, the current Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea is the MSG Chair.

The online consultative meeting provided the opportunity for the MSG Secretariat to provide an update on the MSG Secretariat’s undertakings since April 2020 including discussion of some important organisational policy matters that required the urgent attention and advice of the SOM Chair.

Among the many important deliberations, was the need to continue to maintain and strengthen the original principles of the MSG. These include the decolonisation of the Kanaks of New Caledonia, Promotion of MSG Trade through the Melanesian Free Trade Agreement, exchange of Melanesian cultures, traditions and values through Sports and Arts and Culture activities, including addressing other common issues of concern relating to Climate Change and Regional Security. PNG Department of Foreign Affairs was pleased to note that the MSG Secretariat has not lost sight of its original mandate.

For the decolonisation of the Kanaky people of New Caledonia, it was noted that their referendum of Independence will be held on 4th October and the MSG fully supports the process.

This was the first successful consultative meeting done online with Members focal points. It is anticipated that the Secretariat will pursue similar consultative online meetings with other MSG Members in the coming weeks.