The 4th Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) summit and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting held in Honiara were successfully completed on Thursday.
The two days PIDF summit hosted at Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel ended on Wednesday, followed by the one day MSG meeting, which was held yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel.
It was a busy week in Honiara as regional leaders spend their time discussing and debating on major issues of concern to the pacific.
Climate change was also highlighted in the meetings, as it becomes one of the challenges that pacific countries need to put together their efforts in addressing the problem.
The ocean wealth of our marine resources was discussed thoroughly as well, with shocking revelations of continuous illegal fishing in our waters that robbed island nations of their resources and impose threats to the endangered marine species.
The MSG meeting yesterday prepare the Melanesian bloc to look into priority agendas ahead of them, which includes the bid for full membership status by ULMWP, who represents West Papua.
Outcome of the MSG meeting on ULMWP’s bid was deferred for a later date for MSG to relook into their full membership plea.
By AATAI JOHN
