As the slight drizzle kissed the vast green of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs) on Fiji’s capital of Suva, the reins of the largest regional bloc in Oceania—the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)—was handed over in traditional Melanesian style.
It was as if nature understood the significance of what was to transpire, and, like the profound connection Melanesians have with their vanua (land), the rara (grounds), welcomingly soaked in the blessings of a new chapter that gradually unfolded.
The ceremony displayed the robust culture that identifies with Melanesians – drenched villagers of Kalokolevu, along with staff of the iTaukei Affairs Ministry, remained seated in true Fijian tradition, somewhat oblivious to the cold, on a wooden platform, performing the traditional welcome protocols of the I Qaloqalovi, I Vakamamamaca and I Sevusevu for the MSG family.
Then, in a reciprocal act and show of deep appreciation and acknowledgement, reinforcing the spirit of unity and solidarity, Vanuatu gifted taro and pigs to Fiji and each MSG Member state, signifying cultural significance and close wantok ties among the membership.
The mantle of leadership in the form of a spearhead was handed over from the Outgoing Chair and Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Hon. Jotham Napat, right back into the hands of the Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, who congruently led the island nation into the MSG almost three decades ago.
It was a ceremony befitting esteemed leaders, uniquely called to serve the region – each bringing to the fold their collective strengths, experiences, and sound wisdom. It re-emphasised the solidarity of the MSG as an organisation, not only to the region but also to the international community as well.
As if history was repeating itself and in the words of Prime Minister Napat, it was a scene that was both “symbolic and historic that Fiji, under the leadership of Hon. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, assumes the Chairmanship.”
“It was under your stewardship in 1997, Sir, that Fiji joined the MSG – a decision that has since enriched our collective strength. And now, like a seasoned captain returning to the helm, you take the wheel once more,” he stated.
Prime Minister Rabuka’s return to the esteemed role, he added, is not merely a matter of protocol but a profound full circle in the narrative of regional diplomacy.
“You led Fiji into the MSG nearly three decades ago; today, you return to lead it with experience burnished by time and a spirit undimmed by age,” he said.
The spearhead symbolizes the spirit of unity, a shared cultural heritage, and that, together, the conglomerate of Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and the FLNKS of New Caledonia will scale new heights, daring to venture into areas where others would not.
Since its inception, the MSG has been exemplary and remained true to the symbolic “spearhead,” leading the charge on Climate Change – with the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Responsibility of States with respect to Climate Change, the decision not to allow deep seabed mining in MSG jurisdictions, among many others.
Within the PIF (Pacific Islands Forum) family of nations, the MSG is the only sub-regional organisation with its own Secretariat. It is also the only Pacific sub-regional group that has a working Trade Agreement, which initially began with only three items – Tea from PNG, Tuna from Solomon Islands, and Beef from Vanuatu. To date, around a thousand tariff items are being traded under the MSG Trade Agreement.
Chairmanship of the MSG is retained for two years, as stipulated under the ‘Agreement Establishing the MSG’, and is done on a rotational basis. This is the second time Fiji has chaired since joining in 1996, the first was during the Special Leaders’ Summit in December 2010.
Additionally, by virtue of Fiji’s chairmanship and during its tenure, Fiji will chair all the MSG constituent body meetings, including the much- anticipated MSG Police Commissioner’s Conference and MSG Police Ministers’ Meeting.
Hon. Napat stated, “Fiji is a nation whose leadership history within our region is as rich as its contributions are enduring.”
Vanuatu passes on not just a position but a legacy – one that is rooted in solidarity, inclusivity, and shared destiny. It is now Fiji’s moment to carry that torch forward, to illuminate new paths, and to continue writing the story of Melanesian empowerment.
Hon. Napat relinquished the Chair, full of gratitude and a spirit emboldened by the Melanesian region’s shared accomplishments. “Let this handover not be an end, but a renewal – a reaffirmation of our solemn duty to our peoples, our cultures, and our future,” he added.
He reiterated that, it is not merely a handover of a title, rather the passing “of a sacred flame, lit by our forebears, carried by our leaders, and fuelled by the enduring hopes of our people.”
Reflecting on the legacy, power, and indomitable spirit of the MSG, Hon. Napat said the MSG has stood as a bastion of Melanesian solidarity, sovereignty, and shared destiny.
It was born not merely as a political construct, but as a manifestation of our ancestral kinship, our cultural tapestry, and our collective aspiration for self-determination, peace, and prosperity, he further stated.
“Our founding ideals—mutual respect, non-interference, consensus- building, and the promotion of Melanesian values—remain the bedrock of our cooperation.
“The MSG is not just a regional bloc; it is a moral compass and a strategic fulcrum in the evolving architecture of the Pacific.”
Going forward, he said that as the world moves towards increasing complexity and the uncertainty ahead, MSG’s relevance grows stronger, and that, in a time of shifting alliances, resource rivalries, and global distractions, the need to remain vigilant and united is crucial.
Prime Minister Napat stressed that we must continue to be architects of our own future, and not bystanders to the ambitions of other nations.
“The MSG is not defined by the size of our populations or the scale of our economies, but by the depth of our cultural cohesion, the integrity of our intentions, and the richness of our collective wisdom,” he added.
He further called for bolder collaboration, smarter diplomacy, and unwavering unity for the era ahead.
“Whether facing climate volatility, technological disruption, disruptions in supply chains, or global realignments, we must remain in solidarity as one Melanesian family guided by our goal of realising the Melanesian Economic Corridor,” he added.
In assuming the Chair’s role, Prime Minister Rabuka thanked Prime Minister Napat and the Government of Vanuatu for their able leadership of the sub-regional group since 2022, and the achievements reached during their tenure as Chair.
“As Fiji takes on the mantle of leadership, we build on the hard work and success that has been laid before us.
These circumstances, he said, only reaffirm the need for us to remain united, to stand together in solidarity and in our shared hope for a peaceful and prosperous Melanesia.
“It is not a responsibility we take lightly, especially as we are confronted with an increasingly fragmented global landscape that demands more of us,” Prime Minister Rabuka said.
Fiji’s leadership aims to reflect the collective aspirations of the sub- region, highlighting the importance of collaboration and a holistic approach against the region’s many widespread challenges—challenges to which it is not immune—in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous Melanesia, in alignment with the Blue Pacific Strategy.
*Mrs Tamani is in charge of Media & Communications at the Port Vila-based MSG Secretariat.
