ULMWP Only Observer Status on MSG

ULMWP Only Observer Status on MSG

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is an organization consisting of countries with Melanesian cultural backgrounds, including a coalition of political parties in New Caledonia as the overseas territory of France, namely Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS).

MSG was formed in 1988 with the signing of the Agreed Principles of Co-operation among Independent States of Melanesia in Port Vila, Vanuatu. However, based on international law principles, MSG officially became a sub-regional organization on March 23, 2007 through the Agreement Establishing the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

The purpose and purpose of establishing the MSG is to promote and strengthen trade relations between members, Melanesian cultural exchanges, traditions and values, equality of sovereignty, and technical cooperation to achieve economic growth, sustainable development, good governance, and security.

MSG membership consists of Fiji, Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) in New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Indonesia was accepted as an Associate Member (AM) at the 20th MSG Leaders' Summit in Honiara, Solomon Islands, June 2015. Previously, Indonesia was accepted as an observer at the 18th MSG Leaders Summit at Fji, March 2011.

At present, there are only 2 MSG observers, namely: Timor Leste and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). Based on the statement of the Fiji PM at the 20th MSG Summit the ULMWP observer status is as an NGO, only has the right to submit a statement if requested by the Director General of the MSG Secretariat and does not have access to confidential documents. Observer is only obliged to make voluntary contributions.

With consensus approval by MSG Full Members, Associate Members can be involved in the decision-making process at MSG and submit requests for submitting statements as long as they are consensus-approved by all MSG full members. Indonesia also has access to confidential documents. Meanwhile, the obligation as an Associate Member is to make an annual contribution to the MSG Secretariat.