Sir Michael Somare, podium. From left, Professor Rajesh Chandra and Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama

A special inter-governmental organisation made of five Melanesian countries celebrated its Silver Jubilee last week at the University of the South Pacific Laucala Campus in Suva, Fiji, when the chief guest Sir Michael Somare urged greater trade and economic cooperation between the countries of the region.

The three day event from March 18- 22 celebrated the special bond held between Melanesian countries, and the 25 years of Melanesian Solidarity and Growth since its creation in 1983.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) includes all of the four independent Melanesian states - the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

The Group also includes a fifth Melanesian country under French Rule, New Caledonia, but is represented by its pro-independence movement “Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak Socialiste”.

The Prime Minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama, Sir Michael Somare, and the President of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Rajesh Chandra were present at the campus to welcome the delegations.

Largest economies

Professor Chandra said that the Melanesian Spearhead Group plays a vital role in regional governance because it represents most of the populations in the region and its largest economies.

“As an organisation MSG embodies the spirit of Pacific pride and honour; it was formed as an agency specifically for Melanesians, where Melanesians take centre stage, unlike with other regional agencies in which it was felt Melanesia’s voice might be overcome by those sub-regions”

He also noted the strong presence of Melanesians at the University. “Three out of five MSG members are USP member countries. Students from MSG countries accounted for 82% of USP’s enrolment in 2012”.

Regional cooperation

The Chief Guest Michael Somare  praised the University of the South Pacific as a bastion of intellectual exchange amongst Pacific peoples and, arguably, one of the best symbols of cooperation in the region.

He commented on the political challenges facing Fiji, and said that political developments currently underway in Fiji required close attention and understanding

“But of more fundamental importance to me is the position that MSG adopts on Fiji. The choices MSG members make on Fiji, as it grapples with its complex maze of challenges, strikes at the very heart of how we want to resolve problems in our region”.

He also mentioned West Papua and said that MSG members must remain open to other Melanesian peoples joining the organisation and even advised the possible induction of non-Melanesian countries.

“We must allow our organisation to benefit from interactions with our other neighbouring countries that have expressed a desire for such cooperation. I understand that one or two of our brothers from the Micronesian grouping have informally expressed such an intention. Perhaps an MSG formula might be a way to accommodate this”.

He talked about the economic success of MSG and urged greater cooperation between the countries.

“Trade and economic cooperation provides a vehicle for our countries prosperity. It provides jobs for our people, it puts food on the table for our people and it enables our governments to provide basic health services, education and infrastructure development.

“We must continuously seek to maintain MSG’s relevance as an organisation….let us turn MSG into the arch of prosperity,” he said.