A former Solomon Islands Prime Minister has been given the honor to speak about the humble beginnings of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) after 25 years of the organisations inception during the upcoming MSG Silver Jubilee Celebration in Honiara next week.
Mr Ezekiel Alebua was one of the founding fathers of the MSG alongside former PNG Prime Minister Paias Wingti and Vanuatu’s former Prime Minster, the late Father Walter Lini.
The three leaders signed a document called the “Agreed Principles” of Cooperation among Melanesian countries in March 1988, formalising the cooperative efforts of MSG member countries.
In January 1989, FLNKS formally joined the MSG as an observer during a MSG Leaders Summit in PNG. In June 1996, Fiji joined the organisation as a full member during a MSG Leaders summit again in PNG. Prior to that Fiji attended as an observer.
The National Organising Committee has recognised Mr Alebua’s wealth of knowledge about the MSG and wishes to give him the opportunity to speak during the organisations silver jubilee.
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo will give the keynote address at the opening the celebrations on Wednesday 24th April.
A 3-day program for the event has been finalised and will be made public this Friday.
Source, Government Communications Unit (GCU)