The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Director-General Amena Yauvoli’s term ends in April.

He was appointed in April, 2016 for a term of three years, but his contract was extended for another year which ends April, this year.

This was highlighted during the press conference organised by the MSG Secretariat on the MSG Senior Officials Meeting at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, yesterday.

The meeting is attended by representatives from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS), the main pro-independence movement from New Caledonia. Indonesia is an associate member.
Mr Yauvoli’s appointment

Mr Yauvoli’s appointment was made within the requirements of the MSG Agreement and authority of the MSG Chair after consulting MSG leaders.

Since Monday, the members have discussed the whole range of issues.

They heard from the Director-General who presented his progressive report of reform that has taken place in the Secretariat since he assumed office still to date.

“My term was for three years but it was kindly extended by my chair for another year in order to allow some finalisation of some policy initiatives that we’re currently undertaking,” he said.

“So yes, I’m finishing in April.”

Leadership skills

Mr Yauvoli shared how his leadership skills helped elevate the status of the MSG Secretariat to where it is today.

“I brought the organisation from the brink of collapse to where it is right now.

“I’m telling them this organisation demands sterling bold leadership to carry it forward.

“From an overdraft of almost FJ$1.5 million, we resurrected it to where we are right now. Everything is positive, the indicators are very positive.

“It took four years to bring the organisation back to where it is right now. It is a very strong and robust organisation, right now and with strategic focus realignment of the programmes.”

He said they have undergone a lot of reforms which they would table to the Foreign Ministers today.

“The strength of Melanesia is that despite our weakness, despite our challenges we can still work together, and bring things to normalcy.

“It’s been a job for me working in this organisation and it’s really something that we will continue to work together with all our members, until my last day in the Secretariat.”

Chair of the Senior Officials Meeting Barbara Age, Secretary Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Papua New Guinea, said the appointment of the next D-G will follow a mandated process by the MSG leaders agreed to in the past.

She also commended the leadership of Director General MSG, Ambassador Amena Yauvoli for the significant improvements in the financial outlook of the MSG Secretariat.

“In this regard, I wish to commend the hardworking Director-General for continuing to bring to Governing Body’s attention the much needed financial measures since taking the leadership of the Secretariat in April 2016.”

Ms Age thanked the Fijian Government for its support to host the MSG Governing Body Meetings.

A key feature of the MSG Senior Officials Meeting is to review and finalise the MSG Work Programme and Budget of the Secretariat to map the way forward for the MSG Secretariat.

Feedback:  maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj