Pm Lilo to Open Msg Silver Jubilee Celebration

Pm Lilo to Open Msg Silver Jubilee Celebration

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has been given the honour to officially open the MSG Silver Jubilee Celebrations in Honiara on Wednesday 24th April 2013.

The 3 days celebrations from April 24 to 26 will be centred on the Theme “25 years of Melanesian Solidarity and Growth to mark the birth of the MSG.

The opening ceremony will be held at the National Art Gallery Grounds to be followed by trade exhibitions, music and cultural performances and art and craft displays during the 3 days event.

Other activities will be held at the National Museum Auditorium which will include a panel discussion and quiz competition for students in Honiara.

The MSG comprises Papua New Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and FLNKS of New Caledonia.

In 2012, Melanesian Leaders agreed to the idea that the MSG Silver Jubilee will be celebrated this year in the respective capitals of each MSG member country. A final celebration will be held later this year in Noumea, New Caledonia to coincide with the MSG Leaders Summit there.

The Solomon Islands National Organising Committee is working on a three days program which will highlight key areas in which Solomon Islands has to offer as a member of the MSG.

A final program for the event will be released shortly pending final approval from responsible authorities.

The Celebration offers an opportunity for the general public, private sector and government officials to interact and to know more about the existence of the MSG and its aims and objectives.

The MSG has three active components which include Political Cooperation, Trade and Economic Cooperation and Cultural Cooperation which formed the basis of the grouping.

Trade is the most obvious component that is felt across member countries which saw MSG goods and products entering member countries duty free and at the same time strengthen competition and enhance foreign investment in member countries.

Cultural Exchange is another component that remains active under the Melanesian Arts Festival (MAF) which is held every four years in a nominated member country. Solomon Islands hosted the inaugural Melanesian Arts Festival in 1998.

The Honiara public is expected to be treated with another major event as the celebration is only 8 days away.

ENDS

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