Fijian Prime Minister and chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama today stressed the need to focus on development needs.
He made the comments while closing the 18th MSG Leaders summit in Suva this afternoon.
“I assure you, that in my capacity as Chair, my focus will be on strengthening our young organization and enhancing its ability to respond to our development needs and aspirations,” he said.
“I therefore thank you all for the constructive manner in which the deliberations were conducted, which allowed us to focus on concrete, achievable and result-oriented programmes that are core to the Melanesian Group.”
He said the leaders that met today had very fruitful talks with issues affecting Melanesia.
“Our meeting today, short and pleasant as it has been, has dealt with complex issues affecting the future of our Melanesian people,” Commodore Bainimarama said.
“Whilst this meeting has laid the foundation, our task remains in steering the MSG Group with its new organizational structure, through these challenging economic times, in a manner that reflects our unique Melanesian identity and values and through this, strengthens and raise the profile of the MSG.”
With the leaders and Government representatives signing a declaratory statement on the Millennium Development Goals he said this will help Governments work collectively to achieve this.
“Our signing of the Declaratory Statement on the Millennium Development Goals provides a clear signal that our focus is to provide a better life for our people in Melanesia,” Commodore Bainimarama said.
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