PORT VILA, VANUATU (3 June 2026): The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatu participated in the recent Caribbean Regional Seminar (CRS) of the Special Committee on Decolonisation, of the United Nations (UN), held in Managua-Nicaragua, from 25-27 May 2026.
Commonly known as the Committee of 24 or C-24, attendance of this annual meeting is in support of the FLNKS, and the self-determination aspirations of the Kanak People of New Caledonia, within the meaning of the UN Charter and Resolution 1514 (XV) of 1960.
The Secretariat’s participation at the CRS was guided by the theme; “Advancing progress, renewed commitments, partnerships and innovative approaches”, in assisting the C-24 identify policy approaches and practical means to harness the UN’s decolonisation agenda.
These contributions will serve as a basis for further consideration by the C-24 substantial session, to be held from 15 to 26 June in New York.
Subsequently, proposals would be submitted to the General Assembly, in fulfilment of objectives of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism: 2021-2030.
Hosting of regional summits alternate between the Pacific and the Caribbean and are held annually in May, with last year’s one held in Dili, Timor Leste. The Managua CRS coincided with the International Week of Solidarity with Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories, which commenced on Monday 25 May 2026.
Fiji and Papua New Guinea are members of the C-24 and are normally represented by their Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, in New York.
The Secretariat was represented at the CRS by Richard Balkonan, Political Officer with the Secretariat’s Political, Security and Legal Affairs division.
