The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) begins its senior officials and foreign ministers today culminating in a leaders’ summit.
On the agenda is the decision on whether or not to include, as member the United Liberation Movement, for West Papua who submitted their formal application to the regional body in February.
Also up for discussions will be Environment and Climate Change, Fisheries Management and Conservation as well as current MSG agreements on trade and labour mobility across the countries.
The Leaders’ Summit is expected to be attended by the respective Prime Ministers from Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Fiji.
The Summit is a biennial conference and this year’s theme is based on the theme “Let us build a stronger Melanesia in the Pacific where Peace, Progress and Prosperity is ensured and sustained for all.
The MSG is made up of PNG, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and representatives of New Caledonia’s Kanak Socialist National Liberation’s Front (FLNKs).
Indonesia was granted MSG observer status in 2011.
The MSG meeting is scheduled from the 18th to the 26th of June.
