Port Vila, October 30: The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat was informed of the first ever bilateral Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed last week by the governments of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in Port Vila.
This agreement establishes a comprehensive cooperation program between the Solomon Islands Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and the Vanuatu Ministry of Justice and Community Services.
Dr. Gregoire Niptirk, Deputy Director General of the MSG, expressed his appreciation during a courtesy visit from the Solomon Islands government delegation. He highlighted that this initiative aligns with commitments made by MSG leaders over the past decade to promote collaboration across various sectors, including justice, sports, and culture. “We are proud to see the justice sector engage in this important exchange,” he stated.
Dr. Niptirk emphasized the significance of unity among Melanesian nations, saying, “Our vision is coming to fruition, as it is essential for us, sharing similar cultures and traditions, to collaborate and grow together.” He noted that previous agreements, such as the MSG trade agreement, have been beneficial for all five Melanesian countries, and further exploration of these initiatives is needed in the future.
Despite some challenges, including staffing shortages that have slowed the rollout of major projects, Dr. Niptirk assured that the MSG is actively working to recruit new personnel to enhance their capacity.
Permanent Secretary of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, George Hoa'au, expressed gratitude to Dr. Gregoire Niptirk for hosting the delegation. He elaborated that the visit aimed to inform the MSG Secretariat about the MOA with Vanuatu and the intention to pursue similar agreements with Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia.
Mr. Hoa'au, formerly the Deputy Director General of the MSG Secretariat, announced plans to establish a working group of Melanesian Ministers of Justice, which will meet regularly to promote collaboration among member nations. He emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue and shared ideas, stating, “As Melanesians, we must work together, embracing the challenges we face to shape a brighter future.”
