MSG leaders hold summit

 THE 19th Melanesian Solidarity Group (MSG) Leaders’ Summit was held in New Caledonia from June19-21. 

The summit opening was held on June 19 at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre. 

The leaders then convened their retreat at the Escapade Resort on June 20. That was followed by the plenary at the conference room of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) on the morning of June 21.

 The closing ceremony was held at the Tjibaou Centre in the afternoon.   

The chief guest of the MSG silver jubilee celebrations was Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare of Papua New Guinea.  

Other founding fathers and former MSG leaders including Ham Lini Vanuaroroa of Vanuatu were present.    

The summit was chaired by the spokesman of the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak Socialiste (FLNKS) Victor Tutugoro.  

MSG leaders in attendance included the Prime Minister of Fiji Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Gordon Darcy Lilo, Prime Minister of Vanuatu Moana Carcasses Kalosil, and Deputy Prime Minister of PNG Leo Dion. 

The leaders considered and made decisions on the key issues submitted by the MSG Foreign Ministers Meeting and other issues.