New Affiliate Member: Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat

IFACCA - International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies,
26 February 2024, International

 

 

We are very pleased to welcome the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat as a new Affiliate Member of the Federation. The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat is a subregional organisation providing guidance on policy making, technical assistance and advisory services to its member states. Its five members are Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Caledonia represented by the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS). 

Unoffcially formed in Goroka, PNG in July 1986, the MSG Group formally signed the Agreed Principles of Cooperation Among the Independent States in Melanesia on 14 March 1988 in Port Vila, Vanuatu.  

The MSG Secretariat was officially opened on 30 May 2008 as the administrative arm of the MSG and having recognition under the United Nations, the Secretariat continues to provide support to its members and strives to achieve political stability, economic prosperity, social equality and inclusivity and sustainable development in the region. Today its programmes have been expanded to other areas including Political Security and Legal Affairs; Trade and Economic Development; Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management, Youth and Sports Development and Arts and Culture. 

With a vision to be the leading sub regional organisation advancing the common socio-economic development and political interests of Melanesia and the wider Pacific, the Secretariat is tasked with the implementation of Leaders’ mandates and for directing and coordinating policies within the framework of the MSG 2038 Prosperity for All Plan.  

The Governing Body of MSG consists of the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) which reports to the Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) and ultimately to the Leaders’ Summit. The Secretariat also service other technical meetings. The working languages of the Secretariat are English and French.