Indonesia Commits to Strengthening Concrete Cooperation with Melanesian Spearhead Group

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to strengthen concrete cooperation with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala Mansury emphasized this commitment during the Budget Foreign Ministers Meeting (FFM) of the MSG held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

In his opening speech derived from the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala highlighted three main points during the meeting. 

First, he emphasized the strategic role that MSG can play in the future, including providing solutions to various global issues. MSG needs to be a sub-regional forum that advocates for common interests among developing countries.

"We must continue to voice issues of common interest and concern, including the right to development, addressing climate change, just energy transition, and achieving sustainable development," said Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala.

However, MSG member countries also face several challenges such as the lack of connectivity, vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, low production and export bases, and sustainable resource utilization.

To address these challenges, Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala offered several areas of collaboration that can be enhanced, including improving connectivity, climate change adaptation and disaster risk management, food security, education, health, marine resource management, and increasing MSG visibility internationally.

Secondly, Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala conveyed Indonesia's commitment to strengthening partnerships with MSG and its member countries.

This year, Indonesia will undertake several other collaborations, including providing scholarship programs for students and training for diplomats from MSG member countries.

In the future, Indonesia's commitment to the Pacific region will be strengthened through the launch of the "Roadmap for Development Cooperation," which focuses on several priority areas of cooperation in the Pacific region such as agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure development, and education.

Finally, Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala expressed appreciation for the commitment and reaffirmation of the leaders of MSG member countries towards Indonesia's sovereignty. Furthermore, Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala also invited the leaders of MSG member countries to participate in the 10th World Water Forum to be held in Bali on May 19-20, 2024.

"Indonesia is ready to contribute to the MSG work program, to achieve our common goals of welfare and prosperity for our communities," said Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala.

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