SMT – Newly appointed Director General Welcomed by the MSG Secretariat Staff

MEDIA RELEASE 📣

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat is pleased to formally welcome its newly appointed Director General, Dr. Anna Naupa, as she assumes her official duties today, 27 July 2026, at the MSG Secretariat headquarters in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

It marks an important moment for the Secretariat and for the wider Melanesian family, as the organisation continues to advance the shared priorities of its Member Countries and uphold the founding values of Melanesian solidarity, cooperation, respect, and collective progress.

This historic appointment also marks Dr. Naupa as the first female and first ni-Vanuatu Director General of the MSG Secretariat, an achievement that carries profound significance and offers renewed hope and inspiration to women and girls across Melanesia.

Mr. Ilan Kiloe, who served as Acting Director General during the transition period, extended his warm congratulations to Dr. Naupa and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s full support for her leadership.

“The Secretariat looks forward to working under Dr. Naupa’s leadership as we continue to advance the shared priorities of our Member Countries and strengthen Melanesian solidarity,” said Mr. Kiloe.

As the Secretariat enters this new chapter, it reaffirms its commitment to teamwork, transparency, and transformative action across the foundational pillars of political, economic, and cultural cooperation.

In assuming office during Vanuatu’s independence anniversary period, Dr. Naupa acknowledged the enduring wisdom, strength, and courage of the region’s founding leaders, whose vision continues to guide the collective aspirations of Melanesia.

Dr. Naupa also reflected on her personal connection to Vanuatu’s national journey, recalling the public service of her late father, who served as Minister of Health and Minister of Public Works, and the contribution of her mother as an educator/Teacher at Malapoa College, where many of Vanuatu’s contemporary leaders were shaped.

Outlining her immediate strategic priorities, Dr. Naupa emphasized her commitment to strengthening the Secretariat’s Corporate Services, Political, and Trade programmes to better serve the MSG membership and support the implementation of Leaders’ decisions.

The MSG Secretariat extends its highest regards to Dr. Naupa and wishes her every success as she undertakes this esteemed role at the helm of the organisation.

#MSGSecretariat #MelanesianSpearheadGroup #Melanesia #PortVila #Vanuatu #Leadership #PacificLeadership #WomenInLeadership

@followers

MSG PAYS COURTESY CALL TO SOLOMON ISLANDS MINISTER FOR POLICE

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS (11 September, 2025): A team from the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat led by the Acting Director General, Ilan Kiloe, paid a courtesy call to the Solomon Islands Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon. Jimson Tanagada.

ADG Kiloe took the opportunity to brief the Minister on some of the major initiatives of the MSG relating to security, including the MSG Security Strategy, proposed establishment of a Regional Police Academy, a Formed Police Unit and Police Cooperation.

He explained that these initiatives serve to complement what already exists in the wider Pacific region.

“Given the geopolitical interest in the Pacific it is important that we respond to our own unique challenges through tailor-made approaches,” he said, further emphasizing the importance of the subregion to work together on a common ground to address these challenges.

At this year’s MSG Leader’s Summit in Suva, Leaders’ made a decision to have the MSG SS finalized this year. Indonesia will host the Police Commissioner’s and Police Minister’s Meeting from 14-18 October in Jakarta.

In the lead up to those meetings, the Working Group on the MSG Security Strategy, chaired by Fiji will convene later this month in Suva.

Hon. Tanagada acknowledged MSG’s efforts and reassured Solomon Islands’ support and that of his Ministry to its important work of advancing regional interests in the said areas.

“We would like to see that these initiatives are quickly developed and implemented in the interest of the MSG and the wider Pacific region given our increasing challenges,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of collaboration amongst Members to contribute to regional security and the need to ensure that these developments are in line with the wider regional strategies.

He added it is important that our relationships continue to be strengthened so that not only can we complement each other but take ownership of our security.

Caption: Solomon Islands Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon. Jimson Tanagada (3rd from left) next to Acting DG, Ilan Kiloe, with the MSG Secretariat team. Standing second from left is Permanent Secretary, Karen Galokale.

MSG SECRETARIAT HOLDS 1st 2022 SENIOR STAFF MEETING

PORT VILA, VANUATU (24 January 2022): The first meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat’s senior staff was convened today with an individual and organizational reflection on how it can better itself with its existing resources.

Acting Director General, George Hoa’au, challenged staff on how each can interact and deal with the Secretariat’s stakeholders as diplomats but achieve results as entrepreneurs.

He encouraged staff to continue to be competent and emphasized the need to continually accept change as without it there can be no progress. Furthermore, ADG Hoa’au touched on the importance of management leadership; self-responsibility; innovation; thinking on our feet and improvising with online resources.

The meeting agenda included the vision of the MSG Secretariat against expectations; Leadership Issues; holding a work-from-home mock event; having ICT as a platform for work; Annual Report; and Strategic Partnerships, among others.

It was also an opportunity for senior staff to briefly present their major work programme activities, how they would approach it and what events have been identified as priorities for the first quarter 2022.

Caption: Senior staff discussing their respective work programmes for the year.