ACTING DG PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO SOLOMON ISLANDS PRIME MINISTER

PORT VILA, VANUATU (28 August 2024): The Acting Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat, Ilan Kiloe, paid a courtesy visit to Hon. Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands during a recent tour to Honiara.

During the meeting, ADG Kiloe took the opportunity to brief the Prime Minister on the status of the MSG Secretariat building and its operations following the devastating 7.4 earthquake of December 17, 2024.

ADG Kiloe also briefed the Prime Minister on suitable proposed dates for the upcoming MSG Leader’s Summit and the status of MSG Membership contributions.

Hon. Jeremiah Manele expressed his appreciation to the Acting DG for the courtesy visit and reassured the Secretariat of his Government’s support. 

With respect to the upcoming MSG Leader’s Summit, the Hon. Prime Minister mentioned that appropriate dates would be towards the end of June to the 1st week of July.

As for the status of the MSG building, the Hon. PM expressed sympathy for staff who witnessed and experienced the disaster and further noted interest from donors on the construction of a new building.

In encouraging Members to contribute to its cost, the Hon. Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the Membership taking ownership. He added that with the current geopolitical interest at play in the region, it would be an opportune time for good cooperation with donors for the common good of Melanesia.

He also expressed delight with the concept of the House of Melanesia that would depict traditional designs from all the MSG member countries, therefore reflecting the true identity of Melanesia. PM Manele was also pleased to note that Solomon Islands was up to date with its annual contribution. 

The Hon. PM was pleased to learn about the Project Coordination Management Unit (PCMU), and encouraged that, such initiatives will enable the Secretariat to engage in more project proposals to attract funding for the organization and boost its visibility.

Furthermore, the move by the Acting DG to engage the MSG Secretariat with the wider UN agencies as well as the European Union, ACP, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) organizations to promote the flagship of MSG in the international arena, was commended by PM Manele.

Caption: Hon. Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele with Acting DG, Ilan Kiloe and Acting Program Manager, Political, Security & Legal Affairs, Brittien Yosef.