PORT VILA, VANUATU (3 October 2025): A stronger sub-region is a building corner stone for stronger Pacific regionalism, says the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Noah Kouback.
He made the comment while delivering his keynote address, marking the official opening of the new MSG Secretariat temporary office building at Melcoffee today.
He stated that being the only sub-regional organisation with a functioning Secretariat, the MSG has been transformed into an important and strategic grouping in the Pacific region, and its strategic importance must continue to be leveraged.
In his remarks, Acting Director General, Ilan Kiloe thanked the host Government of Vanuatu and MSG Members for their unwavering support towards the MSG. He also thanked the partners and heads of regional organisations based in Vanuatu who responded positively to the invitation and attended the opening ceremony.
The MSG Secretariat was relocated from its office building following the December 2024 earthquake at Independence Park, a two-storey reinforced concrete structure, constructed with support from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) through the Government of Vanuatu.
The original building was opened in 2008 by MSG leaders in a custom ceremony officiated by Members, which included the laying of the foundation stones in front of the office premises.
Following the devastating earthquake of 17 December 2024, the MSG Secretariat building was severely damaged after which a number of engineers were engaged to undertake assessments to determine the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake.
The assessments concluded that the MSG Secretariat building sustained extensive damages to external and internal structures rendering the building not fit for use.
As host government, Vanuatu has expressed its commitment to the rebuilding of the MSG Secretariat building as stated earlier during the 23rd MSG Leaders Summit in Suva, Fiji in June this year.
At that meeting Leaders agreed on the need to rebuild the MSG Secretariat building under the concept, “Haos Blong Melanesia (HBM)”.
DG Kouback said, “It is envisaged that the new MSG Office be not more than a double-storey complex, is built according to stringent building standards, incorporates a ‘Melanesian look’, in design, feel of a community, and be in harmony with and complement natural surroundings while incorporating Melanesian principles of fengshui.
The new MSG Office, he added, should be able to withstand future earthquakes and other natural disasters, and offer multiple exits and access to a safe assembly point.
A Technical Working Group (TWG) will be established comprising representatives of the membership and the MSG Secretariat to oversee the development of the MSG building.
No comments:
Post a Comment