MSG Secretariat meets with Chair of UN Based MSG Ambassadors in preparation for the Special Committee On Decolonisation (C24) Annual Session

Mr Ilan Kiloe, the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat’s Program Manager Political & Security Affairs, undertook consultations with Ambassador Max Rai, Chair of the UN based MSG Ambassadors and Permanent Representative of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) ahead of the annual session of the Special Committee on Decolonisation (C24) that was held on 27 June 2019 to consider the question of New Caledonia.

The consultations were part of the MSG Secretariat’s ongoing efforts to provide necessary technical support and assistance to Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) as they undergo political processes for the Referendum on Self-Determination in New Caledonia.

The MSG Secretariat had stepped up its approach in forging closer relations with UN based MSG Ambassadors under the “Action Plan/Roadmap on the FLNKS process for self-determination” adopted by MSG Leaders during their 21st Leaders’ Summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. 

Mr Kiloe provided updates on the strategic approaches adopted by the MSG Secretariat in the provision of support to FLNKS under the leadership of MSG Secretariat Director General Ambassador Amena Yauvoli to emphasis more firmly on the commitments espoused under the 2013 Noumea Declaration, the 2018 Action plan/Road map and the 21st Leaders’ Summit Communique.

H.E Ambassador Max Rai commended the Director General Ambassador Amena Yauvoli for adopting a holistic and strategic approach in supporting FLNKS to also give prominence to a range of activities for economic empowerment and supporting the aspirations of the people towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Non-Self-Governing Territories in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions with regard to leaving no one behind.

In considering the results of 2018 Referendum and the useful lessons learned, the meeting agreed on a number of important issues that need to be brought to the attention of the committee, as but of the MSG Statement to the UN C24 Session. These issues include the need to review and update the ‘Electoral List’, the urgent need to review the processes and criteria for the registration of Kanaky people to vote in the referendum and the need to improve the proxy voting processes to ensure greater transparency, free and fair Referendum process.

The Chair thanked the Secretariat and urged them to continue the ongoing close collaboration with the UN based MSG Ambassadors to ensure MSG’s sustained support towards the decolonization process in New Caledonia.