MSG Secretariat - The Officer-in-Charge of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat and Chairman for the MSG Silver Jubilee Organizing and Planning Committee, Jean Pierre Nirua is pleased to announce that the official launching of the MSG Silver Jubilee celebrations throughout Melanesia will be held in Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu on the 28th January 2013.
Nirua confirmed
that the launching ceremony to mark 25 years of Melanesian solidarity and
growth will be officiated by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu,
Honorable Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu, and added that this particular Grand
Launching Ceremony will mark the beginning of the celebrations throughout
Melanesia.
The Chairman of
the MSG Silver Jubilee Organizing and Planning Committee expressed his
satisfaction that the Committee for the special event that comprises of
officials of the Vanuatu Government and other key stakeholders have planned to
stage a memorable launching at the Independence Park.
Nirua explained
that as part of the regional celebration program MSG members such as the FLNKS
grouping of Kanaky, New Caledonia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and
Vanuatu will also from February to June 2013 be hosting their one-week Melanesia
celebrations.
He said this is an
initiative by the organizing committee and endorsed by the Leaders Summit in
2012 to enable all members to celebrate this Silver Jubilee in their respective
countries.
The Chairman of
the MSG Silver Jubilee Organizing and Planning Committee is also pleased to
further announce that Papua New Guinea will hold their Melanesia Week in
February, Vanuatu in March, Solomon Islands in April, Fiji in May and the
people of Kanaky in June 2013 when Leaders Summit is scheduled to be hosted by
FLNKS.
He said Vanuatu
who is the host country of the Secretariat of the Melanesian Spearhead Group in
Port Vila, Vanuatu will host their Melanesia Week in March on the anniversary
date of the birth of the MSG which falls on the 14 March 2013.
“This will mark 25 years of the signing of the
Principles of Cooperation between Independent States of Melanesia, the first
agreement to give birth to the idea of strengthening Melanesian solidarity and
cooperation,” said Nirua.
Nirua was also
able to confirm and reveal that as part of the launching ceremony in Vanuatu a
symposium under the theme “Leaders’ Toktok-Tales from Our Founders and
Pioneers” is being organized for founding leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead
Group and current leaders of the MSG to share their perspectives on various key
topics in Melanesia to highlight the history and future of Melanesian
cooperation that began 25 years ago on 14 March 1988.
“This is an
exciting time for our people and our leaders as the symposium will give
opportunity to leaders of Melanesia to share with the people of Melanesia the
vision and ideas that gave birth to the strong relationship and relations
enjoyed by MSG member countries,” said Nirua.
He said this will also give opportunity to leaders to share their
perspectives on issues that are of common interest to the people and
Governments of Melanesia.
He further added
that the launching ceremony will also see the official release of MSG souvenirs
and memorabilia to mark 25 years of Melanesian Solidarity and Growth, the
unveiling of the Melanesian carving by member country carvers and a public
luncheon for all. “This is a day to
remember for the people of Melanesia so we will invite our Leaders, MSG pioneers
and founders and our friends of Melanesia near and far to join us in marking
this special day not just to remember the hard work of our Leaders, Senior
officials and Governments but also to continue to embrace and enjoy our
solidarity and cooperation for the many more years to come,” said Nirua.
The Officer-in-Charge of the MSG Secretariat confirmed that the official program will soon be circulated to all member countries, Governments and the people of Melanesia.
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