SUVA, FIJI (18 July 2025): The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) could be the powerhouse of the region as a platform to advance issues of national interest for Melanesia.
This was agreed at a recent discussion between the MSG Secretariat led by the Acting Director General, Ilan Kiloe, and Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Permanent Secretary, Dr Raijeli Taga.
PS Dr Taga said the MSG, being resource-rich in terms of population, land mass and natural resources can be very effective “if all of MSG’s constituent body meetings in arts & culture, trade, environment, sports and security, among others, are coordinated well.
“It (MSG) is already a powerhouse but we need to better plan and coordinate properly if we are to see issues from these meetings advanced into the PIFS system and elevated to a level where instructions can be made and actions taken,” she said.
Dr Taga stated, “there is a lot of responsibility on us to advance these initiatives further and use MSG to our advantage”.
“In doing so we can provide the opportunities for the other groups in the region and we must proceed to implement some of the outcomes by the Leaders.
“Fiji’s intent is not to go with the flow but to grow the MSG,” she added.
Acting Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Ilan Kiloe, firstly congratulated Fiji’s chairmanship, adding that he fully concurred with the directions which the Chair is ready to take.
“Indeed, MSG is a strength in the Pacific and we must ensure that what we are doing fits into the ambitions of the wider Pacific,” ADG Kiloe said.
He suggested that the MSG look at areas which it is able to influence and advance for instance climate change, since the MSG participated at the ICJ, amplifying the Pacific’s call for climate justice during the ICJAO proceedings on Climate Change.
ADG Kiloe said another area the MSG could take the lead on is Security, considering that Melanesia’s instability is dominated by ethnic conflicts and tribal wars, hence the need for a specifically designed strategy just for Melanesia.
The MSG Security Strategy, following the green light from Leaders last month, is expected to be endorsed at the upcoming MSG Police Minister’s Meeting this September.
The MSG Secretariat will also identify issues to update the Chair, prior to the upcoming Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara.
Caption: Fiji's Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs, Dr Raijeli Taga & Acting Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Ilan Kiloe, with members of their respective teams.