Melanesian Spearhead Group Agreement

The secretariat of the Melanean spearhead was created in May 2008, after years of activity, on an ad hoc basis. The opening of a permanent office in Port Vila, Vanuatu, marked a new phase for the MSG Group, as it dared to organize and manage its business in a more structured way. [8] The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was launched in 1986 by the heads of government of Melanesian countries – Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia, represented by the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) – in response to the recognition of the importance of common positions and the guarantee of solidarity on regional issues. MSG`s objective is to ensure mutual cooperation and dialogue in order to promote a prosperous and stable region and to promote the growth of each economy. In 2013, negotiations began between Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for a third version of the agreement. Negotiations ended in July 2016 at the MSG Leaders meeting. Since then, Fiji and the Solomon Islands agreement have signed a new agreement and are waiting for other countries to do the same. It was founded in 1986 as a political meeting. [1] On March 23, 2007, members signed the agreement establishing the Melanesian Spearhead Group, which formalized the group in international law. The headquarters is located in Port Vila, Vanuatu. [2] A secretariat building was built by the People`s Republic of China and handed over to MSG in November 2007. [5] The first director general of the MSG secretariat was Rima Ravusiro of Papua New Guinea.

[6] Since April 2016, Amena Yauvoli of Fiji has headed the secretariat of MSG. [7] From 24 to 26 June 2015, the summit of Member States ended in Honiara, Solomon Islands[18] with important decisions; Indonesia was elevated to the rank of associate member of the group, making it the official representative of the West Papua region, while the ULMWP (United Nations Liberation Movement for West Papua) remained an observer. [3] [19] ULMWP was considered only as the representative of the West Papuans outside the country. [4] Trade between the countries of thought in Melanesia has been taking place for millennia and represents the vital element of the culture and the people that maintain it. As natural trading partners, MSG countries have recognized for many years the importance of trade in increasing the prosperity of their economies. The launch of a trade agreement sought to formalize these trade relations and ensure full access for people in each economy. The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was developed in 1986 between the three Melanesian Pacific States, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. [1] The MSG trade agreement was signed in 1993 by Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. At the 6th Meeting of Trade and Economic Officials on 16 April 1997 in Honiara, the Fijian delegation agreed to join. This initiative was supported at the 1997 MSG Leaders Summit. Fiji officially became a member of the MSG trade agreement on 14 April 1998. The 9.MSG meeting of trade and economic officials was held on 29 and 30 November 2000 in Papua New Guinea.

At that meeting, the extension of the tariff positions of the MSG product plan from four to six digits was adopted, which facilitated MSG`s trade by removing the ambiguity of product identification at customs ports of entry.