THE Melanesian Spearhead Group is headquartered in Port Vila, Vanuatu in a two storey building that was built and gifted to the MSG by the Government of China. It was founded from an informal meeting of leaders of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and a representative of the pro-independence movement of the indigenous Kanaks of New Caledonia, the FLNKS that was held in Goroka, Papua New Guinea on 17 July, 1986.
Formalisation of the MSG happened two years later when on 14 March 1988, Prime Minister Paias Wingti of Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Father Walter Lini of Vanuatu and Foreign Affairs Minister of Solomon Islands Ezekiel Alebua signed the six point Agreed Principles of Cooperation Among the Independent States of Melanesia in Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu.
The FLNKS formally joined in 1989 and Fiji in 1996. One of its primary objectives was to provide support for the political aspirations of the indigenous people in Melanesia. Today, its core objectives has widened to encompass economic development, trade, regional security, culture and sports and climate change. Its Leaders Summit is held every two years, and the host of the summit becomes chair of the MSG until the next summit.
…..to read more buy your personal copy at