MSG

The report is being compiled by Fiji’s former ambassador to the United States and former Fiji Trade and Investment Board CEO Jesoni Vitusagavulu.

After almost two months of consultations, Vitusagavulu presented the draft of the report today to the MSG Heads of Investment agencies meeting in Nadi.

The MSG Trade Agreement, which has been in operation for over 20 years, has been primarily focused on trade in goods but in the revised agreement known as MSGTA 3, it will include Trade in Services, and new chapters such as Labour Mobility, Investment, and Telecommunications. 

While progress has been made on a number of chapters, officials have been held up on some key issues - working out the implementation realities, ensuring that the interpretations are clear, and seeking more time to consult with other government agencies and governments. 

During the visit, PM Sogavare will be briefed by the Secretariat executive management and meet Secretariat staff. In addition, he will pay a courtesy call on his Vanuatu counterpart, Sato Kilman and meet Solomon Islands law students and the Solomon Islands community.

He is accompanied on the visit by the newly appointed Solomon Islands Government Special Envoy on West Papua, Matthew Wale, four officers from the Prime Minister’s office, two Foreign Affairs officials and one Police Close Protective personnel.

The delegation will return on Sunday.

As part of their consultation meetings, the MSG Secretariat team represented by Peni Sikivou, Director Programs and John Licht, Program Manager Trade & Investment met Ambassador Roy Mickey and other MSG Ambassadors to discuss the outcomes of the MSG Leaders’ Summit and to discuss ways in which MSG Ambassadors can contribute towards advancing MSG’s “2038 Prosperity for All Plan” and its Implementation Framework and related work program activities. 

Among the marchers were community leaders, politicians, church ministers and youth advocates.
 
Journalists estimated the crowd at over 200 that marched from the town's central market to the main government building, not far from the office of Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare.
 
One of Sogavare's daughters and a niece were among the pro-West Papua marchers, and it came a day after Sogavare announced that his government would not support the West Papua pro-independence's application for full membership of the MSG.
 

Solomon Islands is hosting the 20^th MSG Leaders’ Summit from June 18^th to the 26^th.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua was formed last year when Vanuatu hosted a reunification summit for West Papuan representative groups.

This includes groups who are lobbying for independence from Indonesia.

The groups came together to launch a new bid to join the MSG after an earlier application by a West Papuan group was rejected by MSG leaders.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare said his government will endorse West Papua to be an Observer of the MSG and this Observer Status is given only to one united group.

Secretary General of the ULMWP, Octovianus Mote, thanked Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, and his Cabinet, in exercising its decision making mandate on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands.

Among the marchers were community leaders, politicians, church ministers and youth advocates.

Journalists estimated the crowd at over 200 that marched from the town's central market to the main government building, not far from the office of Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare.

One of Sogavare's daughters and a niece were among the pro-West Papua marchers, and it came a day after Sogavare announced that his government would not support the West Papua pro-independence's application for full membership of the MSG.