Page 26 - IB April 2023

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has evolved Arts & Culture
substantially from its low-key inception way back in 1988, MSG Marks 35th Anniversary: Melanesia, Storian blo Yumi Being the only subregion whose Leaders have signed and adopted the
reaching 35 years of existence this year on the 14th of March. MSG “Treaty on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of
From its humble beginnings as a pressure group voicing the History not only a big player but plays a pivotal role in enhancing regionalism. Cultures,” our unique traditions and culture is the ‘glue that holds us together.’
concerns of Melanesian countries at the Pacific Islands Forum, Melanesian cooperation was initially played out in Vanuatu in the early Vanuatu’s President H.E Nikenike Vurobaravu, an influential figure in the To further strengthen this connection, Vanuatu will proudly host the 7th
to forming a registered sub-regional organisation, that is now 80s and seeds of solidarity were planted in the midst of her struggle establishment of the MSG acknowledges the contribution of the MSG sub- Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFEST) in July this year.
recognised beyond the region and internationally, the Group has certainly for Independence. It is said that following the Santo revolt, the partnership region, in advancing many regional initiatives across the broad spectrum of While our traditions and cultures are diverse, they are the means in which
come a long way. between PNG and Vanuatu, leading to the latter’s Independence, influenced political, social and economic areas within the wider Pacific. Melanesians resolve their differences when all other dispute settlement
Described as an opportune occasion for the people of Melanesia to the two leaders’, Sir Julius, then PM of PNG and Father Walter Lini, Vanuatu’s He adds that as a sub-regional organisation, MSG can complement and measures have failed. This was evident most recently for the benefit of the
celebrate their efforts in cooperation and collaboration through the MSG, founding Father, travel to Honiara to discuss avenues for more enhanced build on initiatives canvassed within the Blue Pacific Continent. wider Pacific family, through the return of our Micronesian brothers to the
current Chairman and Vanuatu Prime Minister, Hon. Ishmael Kalsakau, says cooperation between PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, with PM Peter Indeed, the MSG is well placed in the region to contribute towards framing PIF-fold.
the Group has provided the critical mass needed to advance regional issues, Kenilorea. While these three countries became the founding members and influencing policy in terms of trade and security, among other issues.
not only within the Pacific Islands Forum but also at international meetings. of MSG, New Caledonia’s Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front H.E Vurobaravu summed it up when he said the foresight of our MSG Youth & Sports
This, he said, has in turn contributed towards the framing of MSG positions on (FLNKS) co-opted as a member and Fiji joined in 1996. Leaders to establish the MSG have been vindicated by the way the region The words of the MSG Chair Hon. Kalsakau rings true today when he
regional and international issues such as climate change. As well, MSG has The notion of cooperation amongst PNG, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu has embraced sub-regionalism. mentioned during the inaugural MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Port Vila last
taken on leadership roles in advocacy at multilateral meetings. then led to the historic resolution of the inaugural MSG Leaders meeting year, that sports is a critical enabler of positive human development.
It is a moment to pay special tribute to MSG’s past Leaders, some of whom in Goroka, PNG on 17 July 1986. Consensus was reached in this meeting MSG Secretariat And indeed when we have an active, healthy, productive and stable youth
have already left us, for their steadfast resolve, unwavering commitment and culminating in the birth of the MSG together with FLNKS. The MSG served Based in Port Vila, Vanuatu, the Secretariat is the administrative arm of the population, it is a prerequisite to other developments.
dedication to the noble objectives of cooperation within the MSG. as a platform for taking a common stand when advocating for the rights and organisation, established in 2008 to help coordinate implementation of joint The event theme, “Ignite the Spirit of Melanesia through Sports” was fitting
interest of the people of Melanesia. activities emanating from the MSG Leaders decisions, and in fulfillment of the as the entire region converged in Port Vila through their love for the sport.
Vanuatu may have been the youngest sovereign member amongst the Mission described under the Agreement establishing the MSG. The MSG Sports Committee, comprising senior sports officials from
other two members but she maintained a critical role in MSG matters when Staff are currently unpacking the 2038 Prosperity for All Plan and the MSG Member countries, is also discussing other sporting codes, to be organized,
the signing of the Agreed Principles of Cooperation was held in Port Vila, on Climate Finance Strategy to determine what can be implemented within under similar arrangements. Additionally, similar discussions are being held
14 March 1988. available resources. on arrangements under the ambit of the bigger Melanesia Games, with a
This official signing formally allowed MSG to be recognised as a sub- The MSG Forestry Baseline Study of 2016 is currently being reviewed heavy focus on youth.
regional group for the first time. In 2007, the Agreement Establishing the MSG and the MSG Inshore Fisheries Management and Sustainable Development
was also signed in Port Vila by our Leaders hence setting their vision for a Roadmap is being implemented. Looking Ahead
secure, prosperous and resilient Melanesia. The MSG was established under Our Work Programme and Budget guides the implementation of the many As stated by the MSG Chair, the Group must do more and there is no time
Article 2 of the Agreement, to promote and strengthen inter-membership trade, decisions of our Leaders. The Secretariat is committed to finding the means to rest on our laurels.
exchange of Melanesian cultures, traditions and values, sovereign equality, to implement them and is already positioning itself to meet the challenges of “MSG is the largest grouping, by any measure, in the Pacific Islands Forum
economic and technical cooperation between States, and the alignment of our times. family. We must assert a leadership role in the Region and “spearhead”
policies in order to further MSG members’ shared goals of economic growth, initiatives as our name suggests.”
sustainable development, good governance and security. There is indeed a lot that the Secretariat must meet during Vanuatu’s
In 2010, the Agreement was registered with the UN while Vanuatu’s tenure as Chairman, including assisting Members bring to a closure many
leadership in the MSG saw it organise for the establishment of a Secretariat, of the outstanding issues; implementing the main recommendations of
on behalf of the other Members. This move would enable the coordination the Implementation Strategy for the 2038 Prosperity for All Plan, bringing
The occasion of the signing of the MSG Agreed Principles of Cooperation on 14 March, 1988.
and better implementation of decisions by MSG Leaders. In 2008, the MSG into operation the revised MFTA; promotion of the MSG Skills Movement
Secretariat building was formally opened, and proudly hosted by Vanuatu in Scheme; and the enactment of the Traditional Knowledge and Expression of
MSG has withstood the tests of time and even after being slapped with Port Vila. Culture legislation, among others.
the COVID-19 pandemic which sent businesses struggling and forcing It is now 35 years since our founding fathers took that leap of faith to The Secretariat, he says, will need to focus on how best to channel
organisations to re-prioritise their goals to ensure survival, the MSG along establish the MSG. assistance from our development partners to get our economies back
with its Vanuatu-based Secretariat, emerged stronger but now with even to performing in a resilient and robust manner. Natural disasters, such as
more vigor and renewed vitality. Relevance tropical cyclones, like the two which recently struck Vanuatu, flooding and
To date, MSG is the only sub-regional group in the Pacific that has a working During the formation of the MSG, many skeptics were cynical about the earthquakes continue to occur in our part of the world, threatening and
trade in goods agreement amongst its members, now being enhanced to a Group’s reasoning and vision. Some questioned its relevance. Others impacting on the welfare and livelihood of our people.
new Melanesia Free Trade Agreement (MFTA). mocked the idea of such a platform and had no qualms that this sub-regional Furthermore, MSG must operationalise the humanitarian and emergency
MSG was in the forefront of anti-nuclear testing efforts at the Pacific Islands association would only fragment regional cooperation as opposed to building response arrangements agreed by MSG Leaders under the MSG HERCC
Staff of the MSG Secretariat with Director General, Leonard Louma, OBE.
Forum meetings, to bring about the Nuclear Free Pacific as embodied in the it. concept.
Treaty of Rarotonga, that came into force in December 1986. Indeed 35 years on and MSG has proven them wrong. Our leaders deserve He adds that in the face of ever increasing and emerging threats often
While MSG is the only sub-regional organisation that has a Secretariat, the credit for their God-given wisdom and foresight. Trade resulting in open conflict, adversely affecting law and order situation in our
our Leaders have also approved the Skills Movement Scheme to facilitate Says Hon. Kalsakau, “MSG is still viable and we are still forging ahead MSG is the only sub-regional organization with its own Trade-in-goods countries, MSG must, as a matter of urgency, bring into force the MSG
employment of our people across MSG borders. The scheme is now with the pursuit of our social, political, economic and security interests, Formed Police Unit, which MSG Leaders have already approved.
Agreement that is functioning in the region and with PICTA and PACER plus
embedded in the MFTA. underscoring our resoluteness, tenacity and resilience as Melanesian people”.
yet to fully operate, its success has prompted other sub-regions in the Pacific “As we journey into the future, we must remain committed to stand in
MSG Members continue to offer educational and training assistance to The achievements and milestones reached by the MSG is not bad for to join. solidarity and in unity to forge meaningful pathways forward for the benefit
each other and MSG companies are increasingly investing within our region an organisation that many thought had little value when it was formed. As MSG registered commercial entities are already cross-investing in our of all our people and where no-one is left behind,” says MSG Chair, Hon.
with the likes of Vodafone, Credit Corporation, Punjas and Prouds, to name mentioned by DG Louma, there was no shortage of doubters as to whether Kalsakau.
countries, emboldened by this MSG Trade Agreement, and assured that our
a few. MSG would be viable.
Governments’ have embraced trade and investment liberalisation.
Additionally, the MSG sub-region is the only one that has a Treaty on the “While many cynics would want to have us believe otherwise, MSG has In Vanuatu for instance, this is manifested in the presence of BSP, Kramer
Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture; a Treaty on had its successes and remains relevant today in the midst of constant flux Ascenco, Capital Insurance, Credit Corporation, Vodafone, Rania Investment,
Reciprocal Enforcement of Foreign Judgements; and a Treaty on Custody and change. Could we have done better? Yes! Have we failed in our Mission?
Colorite Printery, Punjas and Prouds to name a few, providing essential
and Maintenance of Children. Absolutely, NOT!”
services and employment to our people.
Last year, with Vanuatu successfully hosting the MSG Prime Minister’s
Cup, MSG sporting contacts were given a huge boost. MSG’s cultural Regionalism Political & Security Affairs
flagship event, the Melanesian Arts & Culture Festival or MACFEST, will be DG Louma says, “Our efforts towards more enhanced MSG Regionalism,
With the growing unprecedented challenges to the security of our region,
held for the seventh time later this year in Vanuatu. The last one was held in as espoused in the 2038 Prosperity for All Plan, is being pursued with
a Regional Security Strategy (RSS) is currently being put together by MSG’s
Honiara, Solomon Islands. deliberate urgency and focus”.
senior officials following on from the vision of our Leaders in 2016, who saw
As aptly put by the Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Leonard With the help of the European Union (EU), through the Pacific Islands the Strategy as a platform in which the region can collectively respond to
Louma, OBE, MSG has a proud history of enterprise; pushing through issues Forum (PIF), and the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development
security threats.
in our region that appear too difficult for others, including Vanuatu’s noble (UNCTAD) partners, the Secretariat is implementing the Strengthening
The MSG RSS is a plan that sets out strategic priorities including
initiatives - the ICJ initiative on climate change responsibility and the Treaty Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade (SPIRIT) and Pacific Regional
maintaining safe and secure borders and maritime domains; strengthening
of Non-Proliferation of Fossil Fuel. Integration Support (PRISE) projects that seek to facilitate trade, improve our governance over cyber space in the MSG region; and enhancing institutional
Another significant achievement of MSG’s cooperation efforts is the trade capacity and bolster the marketability of our products. development and regional cooperation, to combat transnational crime in the
successful inscription of New Caledonia on the decolonisation list in the Hon. Kalsakau says sub-regionalism is no longer frowned upon but now
region, among others.
United Nations, in 1986 - a clear testament of the MSG’s cooperation and regarded as a building block for stronger regional cooperation, as exemplified
While a wrap-up session is expected to convene in Fiji soon, it is
resolve. in the PIF regional architecture changes incorporated in the 2050 Strategy for crucial for the RSS Working Group to address these identified common
To date, MSG continues to provide a platform for advocating and supporting the Blue Pacific Continent. security challenges, based on the MSG’s needs and common interests
the right to Self- Determination of the people of Kanaky recognised under the While the importance of sub-regional organisations as building blocks for a
by contextualising the issues and responses against global, regional and
United Nations (UN) Charter. firm foundation to a stronger region cannot be over-emphasised, the MSG is Papua New Guinea’s first Prime Minister, the late Sir Michael Somare, officiating at the formal
national considerations.
opening of the MSG Secretariat building in Port Vila, Vanuatu back in 2008.
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