Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has arrived at Nausori International Airport in Suva, Republic of Fiji, today, Sunday 22nd June 2025, to attend the 23rd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ Summit. He is being accompanied by Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, DHERST Hon. Feo Kinoka.
Prime Minister Marape arrived in Suva this afternoon via Brisbane, Australia.
The 23rd MSG Leaders Meeting is being held from 18th–24th June 2025 in Suva.
Leaders, senior officials, and representatives from the five MSG member countries — Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) of New Caledonia — are attending. Observers such as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua and associate member Indonesia are also present. The summit will include the formal handover of the MSG Chairmanship from current Chair Vanuatu to Fiji tomorrow Monday 23rd June 2025 before the formal opening of the MSG Leaders Plenary meeting and a Leaders closed door Retreat at the Bose Levu Vakaturaga-BLV Talanoa Lounge which is the traditional Fiji Great Council of Chiefs meeting house in Suva.
Vanuatu hosted the 22nd MSG Leaders Meeting in Port Vila in 2023.
This year’s meeting marks the 23rd formal summit in nearly 39 years since the MSG was founded in 1986 following the inaugural leaders’ meeting in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. The MSG was established to promote Melanesian solidarity, decolonisation, political cooperation, trade, and cultural identity. It continues to serve as a platform for unified advocacy on regional and international issues, particularly those concerning self-determination, resource governance, and indigenous rights.
Prime Minister Marape is expected to deliver Papua New Guinea’s country statement during the plenary, reaffirming the country’s commitment to strengthening MSG cooperation while reinforcing broader regional partnerships through the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). He is also expected to call for reforms to ensure that regional organisations remain responsive, inclusive, and capable of meeting current and future development and security challenges.
A closed-door leaders’ retreat will precede the open plenary and adoption of the final communiqué. During the summit, Prime Minister Marape will witness the official handover of the MSG Chairmanship to Fiji.
In addition, Prime Minister Marape will hold high-level Talanoa consultations with the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) of the Pacific Islands Forum at the margins of the MSG Summit. The discussions will focus on regional institutional reform, governance, and mechanisms for strengthening Pacific unity.
Prime Minister Marape plays a key role in maintaining regional unity during recent challenges within the Pacific Islands Forum. In 2021, when several Polynesian members withdrew in protest over the PIF Secretary-General appointment process, Prime Minister Marape intervened to mediate dialogue and broker understanding between Melanesian and Polynesian leaders. His efforts helped preserve the unity of the Forum and paved the way for reconciliation, highlighting PNG’s leadership and deep commitment to Pacific cohesion.
“Papua New Guinea remains fully committed to the ideals of Pacific regionalism,” Prime Minister Marape says. “We must work through our institutions, such as the MSG and PIF, to respond more effectively to the needs of our people—whether in the face of climate change, development inequality, or shifting geopolitical interests.”
The 23rd MSG Leaders’ Summit takes place at a critical time for the region, as Pacific nations push for institutional renewal, stronger governance, and regional self-reliance. Prime Minister Marape is expected to use his platform to advocate for practical solutions and meaningful reforms that deliver long-term benefits to all Melanesian communities and beyond.
Prime Minister Marape is scheduled to depart Suva for Port Moresby on Monday afternoon following the conclusion of the MSG Leaders’ Summit.