MELANESIAN SPEARHEAD GROUP

1 July, 2008

PiPP Staff

Discussion Papers

MELANESIAN SPEARHEAD GROUP

DP02 – MELANESIAN SPEARHEAD GROUP [PDF 168kB]

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is the strongest sub-regional political and economic alliance in the Pacific. Its members Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji, constitute over three quarters of the population, land area and GDP of the broader Pacific group of nations.

PiPP’s second discussion paper looks at these key messages:

The MSG is the strongest sub-regional grouping in the Pacific, but this needs to be considered in light of the fact that this is the least integrated region in the world.
The MSG is first and foremost about political co- operation.
Trade is the most visible activity of the alliance.
The MSG Free Trade Agreement has had
limited impact on member country economies, but has strengthened its political resolve to engage at a regional and global level.
Establishing the new MSG secretariat signals a bold new phase for Melanesian co-operation.
MSG leaders need to define their vision for the Melanesian alliance and its future role in regional economic and political affairs.

This article was written by

http://www.pacificpolicy.org/

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