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{{Short description|Intergovernmental organization}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox Geopolitical organization
| linking_name                = the Melanesian Spearhead Group
| symbol_type                = Emblem
| image_symbol                = Melanesian Spearhead Group Logo.png
| symbol_width                = 
| image_map                = Melanesian Spearhead Group.png
| map_caption                = Map indicating the membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
| membership                = <div style="padding-bottom:0.2em;">
 {{Collapsible list
  | titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
  | title = 4 [[sovereign state]]s
  | {{small|{{flagcountry|Fiji}}}}
  | {{small|{{flagcountry|Papua New Guinea}}}}
  | {{small|{{flagcountry|Solomon Islands}}}}
  | {{small|{{flagcountry|Vanuatu}}}}
  | <hr/>
 }}</div>
 {{Collapsible list
  |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
  |title = 1 party
  |{{nowrap|{{small|[[File:Pro-Independence Flag of New Caledonia.svg|25px]]&nbsp;[[Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front]]}}}}
 }}
 {{Collapsible list
  |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
  |title = 1 associate
  |{{small|{{flagcountry|Indonesia}}}}
 }}
 {{Collapsible list
|titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
|title = 2 observer
|{{small|{{flagcountry|East Timor}}}}
|{{nowrap|{{small|[[File:Coat of arms of Republic of West Papua.svg|25px]]&nbsp;[[United Liberation Movement for West Papua]]}}}}
 }}
| admin_center_type                = Seat
| admin_center                = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|Vanuatu}} [[Port Vila]], [[Vanuatu]]}}
| leader_title1                = Director General
| leader_name1                = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|Fiji}} [[Amena Yauvoli]]}}
| established_event1                = as Melanesian Spearhead Group
| established_date1                = 1986<ref name="MITT"/>
| area_km2                = 585,560
| area_sq_mi                = 363,850
| population_estimate                = 8,348,000
| population_estimate_year                = 2010
| population_density_km2                = 35
| GDP_PPP                = US$ 20.512 billion<sup>a</sup>
| GDP_PPP_year                = 2010
| GDP_PPP_per_capita                = US$ 2,457
| currency                = {{collapsible list
  | title = 5 [[List of circulating currencies|currencies]]
  | titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
  | {{small|{{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Rupiah]]}}
  | {{small|{{flagicon|Fiji}} [[Fijian dollar]]}}
  | {{small|{{flagicon|Papua New Guinea}} [[Papua New Guinean kina|Kina]]}}
  | {{nowrap|{{small|{{flagicon|Solomon Islands}} [[Solomon Islands dollar]]}}}}
  | {{small|{{flagicon|Vanuatu}} [[Vanuatu vatu|Vatu]]}}
 }}
| time_zone                = {{collapsible list
  |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
  |title = 5 [[List of time zones|time zones]]
  | [[UTC+8]]  {{flagicon|Indonesia}}
  | [[UTC+9]]  {{flagicon|Indonesia}}
  | [[UTC+10]] {{flagicon|Papua New Guinea}}
  | [[UTC+11]] {{flagicon|Solomon Islands}}{{flagicon|Vanuatu}}
  | [[UTC+12]] {{flagicon|Fiji}}
 }}
| Gini_year                = 
| Gini_change                = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini                = <!--number only-->
| Gini_ref                = 
| HDI_year                = 
| HDI_change                = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI                = <!--number only-->
| HDI_ref                = 
| official_website                = http://www.msgsec.info
| footnote_a                = If considered a single entity.
| demonym                = 
| area_rank                = 
| today                = 
| conventional_long_name                = Melanesian Spearhead Group
| native_name                = Groupe Fer de lance mélanésien 
}}

The '''Melanesian Spearhead Group''' ('''MSG''') is an [[intergovernmental organization]], composed of the four [[Melanesia]]n states of [[Fiji]], [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Solomon Islands]] and [[Vanuatu]], and the [[Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front]] of [[New Caledonia]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web | title= About Melanesian Spearhead Group | work= Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat | url= http://msgsec.info/index.php/members/brief-about-msg | access-date= 19 July 2015 | archive-date= 30 January 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200130215906/http://msgsec.info/index.php/members/brief-about-msg | url-status= dead }}</ref> In June 2015, [[Indonesia]] was recognized as an associate member.<ref name="ABC1"/><ref name="HPR"/>

It was founded as a political gathering in 1986.<ref name="MITT"/> On 23 March 2007, members signed the ''Agreement Establishing the Melanesian Spearhead Group'', formalizing the group under international law. It is headquartered in [[Port Vila]], Vanuatu.<ref name=":0" /> A secretariat building was constructed by the [[People's Republic of China]] and handed over to the MSG in November 2007.<ref>[http://www.dailypost.vu/ArticleArchives/tabid/56/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/835/MSG-Secretariat-building-handed-over-to-govt.aspx MSG Secretariat building handed over to govt]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Vanuatu DailyPost, 6 November 2007.</ref> The first Director General of the MSG Secretariat was [[Rima Ravusiro]] of Papua New Guinea.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programguide/stories/200806/s2267324.htm | title=Rima Ravusiro heads the MSG | work=Radio Australia | date=6 June 2008 | access-date=9 July 2010 | archive-date=4 August 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804143059/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programguide/stories/200806/s2267324.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> Since April 2016, [[Amena Yauvoli]] of Fiji heads the MSG Secretariat.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.msgsec.info/index.php/msgsecretariat/executive-unit/director-generals-office |title=New Director General of MSG Secretariat |access-date=18 October 2017 |archive-date=27 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827162129/http://www.msgsec.info/index.php/msgsecretariat/executive-unit/director-generals-office |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Purpose==
Melanesian Spearhead Group was formed with focus to promote economic growth among Melanesian countries. The purposes of the group are:<ref name="MITT">{{cite web |title=Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Trade Agreement |work=Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Fiji |url=http://www.mit.gov.fj/index.php/divisions/trade-division/regional-trade-agreement/melanesian-spearhead-group-msg-trade-agreement |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402011730/http://mit.gov.fj/index.php/divisions/trade-division/regional-trade-agreement/melanesian-spearhead-group-msg-trade-agreement |url-status=dead }}</ref>
# To promote and strengthen inter membership trade, exchange of Melanesian cultures, traditions, values and sovereign equality;
# To foster economic and technical cooperation between the members; and
# To align member countries' policies and further members' shared goals of economical growth, sustainable development, good governance and security.

One of the key features of the MSG is the ''Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement'', a sub-regional [[Preferential trading area|preferential trade agreement]] established to foster and accelerate [[economic development]] through trade relations and provide a political framework for regular consultations and review on the status of the Agreement, with a view to ensuring that trade both in terms of [[International trade|exports and imports]] is undertaken in a genuine spirit of Melanesian Solidarity and is done on a [[most favoured nation]] (MFN) basis. Negotiations are held regularly between the members' leaders to consider the progress and developments of the agreement. After a revision in 2005, it covers 180 articles free of fiscal duty.

==History==

===Formation===
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was conceived in 1986 between the three Melanesian Pacific Island Countries namely Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.<ref name="MITT"/> The MSG Trade Agreement was signed in 1993 by Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. At the 6th Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Trade and Economic Officials’ Meeting on 16 April 1997 in [[Honiara]], the Fiji delegation indicated its willingness to accede to it. This initiative was endorsed at the 1997 MSG Leaders Summit. Fiji became a formal member of the MSG Trade Agreement on 14 April 1998. The 9th MSG Trade & Economic Officials meeting was held in Papua New Guinea on 29 and 30 November 2000. This meeting saw the acceptance of the expansion of the MSG Product Schedule tariff headings from four to six digits, thereby facilitating MSG trade by removing the ambiguity in product identification at Customs points of entry. The agreement is [[General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade]] (GATT) consistent and has been approved and accorded recognition by the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) Committee on Regional Arrangements to be compatible and meeting the requirements of Article 24 of the GATT/WTO Agreement.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat was established in May 2008 after years of operating on an ad-hoc basic. The opening of a permanent office in [[Port Vila]], [[Vanuatu]], signaled a new phase for the MSG group as it ventured into organizing and managing its affairs in a more structured manner.<ref name="MSGSec">{{cite web| title= Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat| url= http://msgsec.info/index.php/about-us| access-date= 19 July 2015| archive-date= 4 July 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150704023943/http://www.msgsec.info/index.php/about-us| url-status= live}}</ref>

===Politics===
More recently, the Melanesian Spearhead Group got heavily involved in the political discussions following [[Pacific Islands Forum#Suspension of Fiji|Fiji's suspension]] from the [[Pacific Islands Forum]] in May 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/200907/2622713.htm?desktop |title=Fiji PM wins backing from MSG leaders |work=Radio Australia |date=11 July 2009 |access-date=9 July 2010 |archive-date=17 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717125913/http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/200907/2622713.htm?desktop |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2010, Fiji expelled Australia's acting high commissioner accusing the latter of causing the postponement of a so-called ''Engaging Fiji'' meeting.<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC|title=Fiji's expulsion of Australia envoy "of grave concern"|date=13 July 2010|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10609711|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819095223/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10609711|url-status=live}}</ref> Australia responded that it had to do with the lack of democracy in the country. An alternate meeting was held instead despite pressure from Australia and New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/fiji-expects-strong-turnout-at-talkfest-20100721-10kh6.html|title=Fiji expects strong turnout at talkfest|date=21 July 2010|access-date=21 July 2010|archive-date=24 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724063640/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/fiji-expects-strong-turnout-at-talkfest-20100721-10kh6.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was attended by [[Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea|Prime Minister]] [[Michael Somare]] of [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands|Prime Minister]] [[Derek Sikua]] of the [[Solomon Islands]], [[President of Kiribati|President]] [[Anote Tong]] of [[Kiribati]], [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu|Prime Minister]] [[Apisai Ielemia]] of [[Tuvalu]], and [[Prime Minister of Fiji|Prime Minister]] [[Frank Bainimarama]] of [[Fiji]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/fiji-claims-egg-on-aussie-faces-as-dictator-pulls-off-pr-coup-with-summit/story-fn59niix-1225895326255| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100903153558/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/fiji-claims-egg-on-aussie-faces-as-dictator-pulls-off-pr-coup-with-summit/story-fn59niix-1225895326255| archive-date = 2010-09-03| title = Fiji claims egg on Aussie faces as dictator pulls off PR coup with summit {{!}} The Australian}}</ref>

Melanesian Spearhead Group is also involved in the [[Papua conflict|issue of Papua]], which involves the [[Indonesia|Indonesian]] government and a West Papuan separatist movement. Melanesian Spearhead Group's role in raising the international profile of New Caledonia's [[Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front|Kanak independence movement]], has prompted [[Republic of West Papua|West Papuan Independence]] activists to recognise the significance of its membership. The West Papua National Council for Liberation (WPNCL) hopes to use Melanesian Spearhead Group as an international platform to fight for independence.<ref name="Andrews" />

Indonesia, however, also applied for MSG membership in 2010, arguing that Indonesia is home to 11 million Melanesians mainly residing in 5 provinces in Eastern Indonesia; [[Papua (province)|Papua]], [[West Papua (province)|West Papua]], [[Maluku (province)|Maluku]], [[North Maluku]] and [[East Nusa Tenggara]].<ref name="Kemlu">{{cite journal |title=Indonesia Acquires Associate Member Status In Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) |date=26 June 2015 |journal=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Indonesia |url=http://kemlu.go.id/en/berita/Pages/Papua-Acquires-Associate-Member-Status-In-Melanesian-Spearhead-Group-MSG.aspx |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=19 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919193457/http://kemlu.go.id/en/berita/Pages/Indonesia-Acquires-Associate-Member-Status-In-Melanesian-Spearhead-Group-MSG.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Indonesia won observer status in 2011 with the support of Fiji and Papua New Guinea.<ref name="Andrews"/> [[East Timor]] was granted observer status in 2011.<ref name="Timorrnz">{{cite news|title=East Timor donates to Melanesian Spearhead Group|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/199655/east-timor-donates-to-melanesian-spearhead-group|access-date=2 October 2017|work=Radio New Zealand|date=16 September 2011|archive-date=2 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002165808/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/199655/east-timor-donates-to-melanesian-spearhead-group|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2013, [[Buchtar Tabuni]], the leader of the [[National Committee for West Papua]] (KNPB) supported the notion that if [[West Papua (region)|West Papua]] was granted [[independence]], he would support them joining the MSG.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.papua.us/2013/06/masyarakat-papua-temui-pemerintah-png.html |title=Masyarakat Papua Temui Pemerintah PNG di Sekretariat Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) |newspaper=Papua Untuk Semua |date=3 June 2013 |language=id |access-date=11 June 2013 |archive-date=17 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617162116/http://www.papua.us/2013/06/masyarakat-papua-temui-pemerintah-png.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The WPNCL submitted an unsuccessful application to the MSG in October 2013.<ref name="Andrews">{{cite journal |title=West Papua: Melanesian Spearhead Group has a tough decision to make |author=Sally Andrews |date=3 April 2015 |journal=Lowly Interpreter |url=http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2015/04/03/west-papua-Melanesian-Spearhead-Group-tough-decision.aspx |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=5 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005203743/http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2015/04/03/west-papua-Melanesian-Spearhead-Group-tough-decision.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The MSG advised that West Papua independence organizations must first unite for any future applications to be considered.<ref name="Vupost">{{cite news|last1=Ligo|first1=Godwin|title=West Papuans unite under new umbrella group|url=http://dailypost.vu/news/local_news/west-papuans-unite-under-new-umbrella-group/article_ff875941-551a-5730-a394-052caccb6ed3.html|access-date=2 October 2017|work=Vanuatu Daily Post|date=10 December 2014|archive-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804035223/http://dailypost.vu/news/local_news/west-papuans-unite-under-new-umbrella-group/article_ff875941-551a-5730-a394-052caccb6ed3.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[United Liberation Movement for West Papua]] (ULMWP) was formed in December 2014.<ref name="Vupost" /> A second application of West Papua independence movement has been submitted in 2015 by the ULMWP, led by spokesperson [[Benny Wenda]].

===Expansion===
In 24 to 26 June 2015, the summit meeting of the member countries in [[Honiara]], [[Solomon Islands]]<ref>{{cite news |title=West Papua faces crucial Melanesian diplomatic test |author=Stefan Armbruster |date=24 June 2015 |work=SBS |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/06/24/west-papua-faces-crucial-melanesian-diplomatic-test |access-date=11 July 2015 |archive-date=14 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714202838/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/06/24/west-papua-faces-crucial-melanesian-diplomatic-test |url-status=live }}</ref> concluded with key decisions; [[Indonesia]] was elevated to associate member of the group — making them the official representative of West Papua region, while the [[United Liberation Movement for West Papua]] (ULMWP) remained as an observer.<ref name="ABC1">{{cite news |title=Indonesia admitted to Melanesian Spearhead Group, West Papuan group given observer status |author=Liam Fox |date=25 June 2015 |work=ABC |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-25/indonesia-admitted-to-melanesian-intergovernmental-group/6573968 |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=14 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114215734/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-25/indonesia-admitted-to-melanesian-intergovernmental-group/6573968 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Melanesia takes lead on future West Papuan peace |date=26 June 2015 |work=SBS |author=Stefan Armbruster |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/06/26/melanesia-takes-lead-future-west-papuan-peace |access-date=11 July 2015 |archive-date=2 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002222419/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/06/26/melanesia-takes-lead-future-west-papuan-peace |url-status=live }}</ref> The ULMWP was considered only as the representative of West Papuans outside the country.<ref name="HPR">{{cite news |title=Melanesian Spearhead Group chooses Indonesia over West Papuan Independence Movement |author=Neal Conan |work=Hawai'i Public Radio |url=http://hpr2.org/post/melanesian-spearhead-group-chooses-indonesia-over-west-papuan-independence-movement#stream/0 |date=29 June 2015 |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027114200/https://www.hpr2.org/post/melanesian-spearhead-group-chooses-indonesia-over-west-papuan-independence-movement#stream/0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Despite being denied of full membership, ULMWP secretary-general Octavianus Mote regarded the observer status positively, saying the diplomatic recognition would help them in their cause. "We might not be a full member of the MSG, but a door has opened to us. We will sit across a table from Indonesia as equal," he said.<ref name="ABC2">{{cite news |title=West Papuans given Melanesia bloc access, but not full membership |author=Liam Fox |date=27 June 2015 |work=ABC |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-27/west-papuans-given-melanesia-bloc-access/6577722 |access-date=20 July 2015 |archive-date=3 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803141438/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-27/west-papuans-given-melanesia-bloc-access/6577722 |url-status=live }}</ref>

However, Indonesia's membership of the MSG has giving them a greater influence in Melanesian politics than the ULMWP. In MSG, Indonesia's official representation will be the governors of Indonesia's five Melanesian provinces. Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama, who supported Indonesian membership, argued that his vote was guided by a number of main principles in approaching the West Papuan issue. "Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua cannot be questioned, and the province is an integral part of Indonesia, so when we deal with West Papua and its people, MSG has no choice but to deal with Indonesia, in a positive and constructive manner," he said.<ref name="ABC2"/> Following the decision of elevating Indonesia to associate member, the government of Indonesia, for the first time, hosted the Melanesian Cultural Festival 2015 in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara from 26 to 30 October 2015, which is aimed at improving cooperation among Melanesian countries. The festival was participated by all members of MSG except Vanuatu, and also Timor Leste.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/101211/melanesian-festival-celebrates-cultural-diversity|title=Melanesian Festival Celebrates Cultural Diversity|date=29 October 2015 |access-date=24 December 2015|archive-date=25 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225082805/http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/101211/melanesian-festival-celebrates-cultural-diversity|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2024, [[Ishmael Toroama]], president of the [[Autonomous Region of Bougainville]] in Papua New Guinea, announced that his government intended to apply for observer status with the MSG, as one of its first steps in developing foreign affairs activities in advance of [[2019 Bougainville independence referendum|its planned independence]] in 2027.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/527236/bougainville-to-raise-the-flag-in-international-push-of-independence-plans|title=Bougainville to ‘raise the flag’ in international push of independence plans|date=6 September 2024|access-date=7 January 2025|publisher=BenarNews|via=RNZ International|first=Stefan|last=Armbruster}}</ref>

== Membership ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Overview of Melanesian Spearhead Group members
|-
!scope="col"| Country
!scope="col"| Head of Government
!scope="col"| Status governing
|-
!scope="row"| {{flag|East Timor}}
| President [[José Ramos-Horta|Jose Ramos Horta]]|| observer<ref name="Timorrnz" />
|-
!scope="row"| {{flag|Fiji}}
| Prime Minister [[Sitiveni Rabuka]]|| sovereign state
|-
!scope="row"| {{flag|Indonesia}}
| President [[Prabowo Subianto]]|| associated member<ref name="ABC1"/> 
|-
!scope="row"| {{flag|New Caledonia}}
| FLNKS Head Representative [[Victor Tutugoro]] {{nowrap|{{small|[[File:Pro-Independence Flag of New Caledonia.svg|25px]]&nbsp;[[Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front]] – FLNKS}}}} || party
|-
!scope="row"| {{flag|Papua New Guinea}}
| Prime Minister [[James Marape]] || sovereign state
|-
!scope="row"| {{flag|Solomon Islands}}
| Prime Minister [[Manasseh Sogavare]]|| sovereign state
|-
!scope="row"| {{flag|Vanuatu}}
| Prime Minister [[Charlot Salwai]]|| sovereign state
|-
!scope="row"| {{nowrap|{{small|[[File:Coat of arms of Republic of West Papua.svg|25px]]}}}} West Papua
| ULMWP General Secretary [[Octavianus Mote]] {{nowrap|{{small|[[File:Coat of arms of Republic of West Papua.svg|25px]]&nbsp;[[United Liberation Movement for West Papua]] – ULMWP}}}} || observer<ref name="a">{{cite web |author=Daniel Namosuaia |date=27 June 2015 |title=ULMWP is MSG Observer |url=http://theislandsun.com/ulmwp-is-msg-observer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701025033/http://theislandsun.com/ulmwp-is-msg-observer/ |archive-date=1 July 2015 |access-date=29 June 2015 |work=The Island Sun |quote=The ULMWP is an observer member and Melindo is an association member}}</ref>
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Population and demography of members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group
|-
!scope="colgroup" colspan="2" align=center| Country 
!scope="colgroup" colspan="2" align=center| Population 
!scope="col"| Status governing
|-
!scope="row" colspan="2" align=left| {{flag|East Timor}}
| colspan="2" align=right| 1,340,513 || observer
|-
!scope="row" colspan="2" align=left| {{flag|Fiji}}
| colspan="2" align=right| 926,276 || sovereign state
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="9"| {{Flag|Indonesia}}
| {{Flag|East Nusa Tenggara}} || 5,325,566 ||rowspan="9"| 13,895,201 || rowspan="9"| provinces of associate member
|-
| {{Flag|Maluku}} || align=right| 1,848,923
|-
| {{Flag|North Maluku}} ||align=right| 1,282,937
|-
| {{Flag|Southwest Papua}} ||align=right| 591,069
|-
| {{Flag|West Papua}} || align=right| 542.999
|-
| {{Flag|Papua}} ||align=right| 2.022.645
|-
| {{Flag|Central Papua}} ||align=right| 349.634
|-
| {{Flag|Highland Papua}} ||align=right| 1.417.811
|-
| {{Flag|South Papua}} ||align=right| 513.617
|-
!scope="row"| {{flag|New Caledonia}}
| [[Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front]] || colspan="2" align=right| 271,407 || political party
|-
!scope="row" colspan="2" align=left| {{flag|Papua New Guinea}}
| colspan="2" align=right| 8,935,000 || sovereign state
|-
!scope="row" colspan="2" align=left| {{flag|Solomon Islands}}
| colspan="2" align=right| 652,857|| sovereign state
|-
!scope="row" colspan="2" align=left| {{flag|Vanuatu}}
| colspan="2" align=right| 307,815|| sovereign state
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Economic overview of members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group
|-
!scope="colgroup" colspan="2" align=center| Country 
!scope="colgroup" colspan="2" align=center| GDP 2022 <br><small>(in billion [[US Dollar|$]])</small> 
!scope="colgroup" colspan="2" align=center| GDP PPP 2022 <br><small>(in billion [[US Dollar|$]])</small> 
!scope="col"| Status governing
|-
!scope="row" colspan="2" align=left| {{flag|East Timor}}
| colspan="2" align=right| 2.455 || colspan="2" align=right| 5.347 || observer
|-
!scope="row" colspan="2" align=left| {{flag|Fiji}}
| colspan="2" align=right| 4.859 || colspan="2" align=right| 12.685 || sovereign state
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="9"| {{Flag|Indonesia}}
| {{Flag|East Nusa Tenggara}} || align=right|7.995 || rowspan="9"| 40.213 || align=right|24.948 || rowspan="9"| 125.484 || rowspan="9"| provinces of associate member
|-
| {{Flag|Maluku}} || align=right|3.616 || align=right|11.283 
|-
| {{Flag|North Maluku}} || align=right|4.775 || align=right|14.900 
|-
| {{Flag|Southwest Papua}} ||align=right|
|-
| {{Flag|West Papua}} || align=right|6.148 || align=right|19.195 
|-
| {{Flag|Papua}} || align=right|17.649 || align=right|55.167
|-
| {{Flag|Central Papua}} || rowspan="3" align="right" |
|-
| {{Flag|Highland Papua}} 
|-
| {{Flag|South Papua}} 
|-
!scope="row"| {{flag|New Caledonia}}
| [[Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front]] || colspan="2" align=right| 10.071 || colspan="2" align=right| 11.110 ||  political party
|-
!scope="row" colspan="2" align=left| {{flag|Papua New Guinea}}
| colspan="2" align=right| 31.362 || colspan="2" align=right| 39.083 || sovereign state
|-
!scope="row" colspan="2" align=left| {{flag|Solomon Islands}}
| colspan="2" align=right| 1.601 || colspan="2" align=right| 1.671 || sovereign state
|-
!scope="row" colspan="2" align=left| {{flag|Vanuatu}}
| colspan="2" align=right| 0.984 || colspan="2" align=right| 0.922 || sovereign state
|}

==Meetings==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+MSG Formal Summits
|-
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|No|Number}}
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Location
!scope="col"|Host
!scope="col"|Host leader
|-
!scope="row"| 18th
| March 2011 || [[Suva]] || {{flag|Fiji}} || [[Frank Bainimarama|Voreqe Bainimarama]]
|-
!scope="row"| 19th
| 13–21 June 2013 || [[Nouméa]] || [[File:Pro-Independence Flag of New Caledonia.svg|25px]] [[Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front|FLNKS]] || [[Victor Tutugoro]]
|-
!scope="row"| 20th
| 18–26 June 2015 || [[Honiara]] || {{flag|Solomon Islands}} || [[Manasseh Sogavare]]
|-
!scope="row"| 21st
| 10–15 February 2018 || [[Port Moresby]] || {{flag|Papua New Guinea}} || [[Peter O'Neill]]
|-
!scope="row"| 22nd
| 19–24 August 2023 || [[Port Vila]] || {{flag|Vanuatu}} || [[Ishmael Kalsakau]]
|}

== See also ==
* [[Polynesian Leaders Group]], launched in 2011, partly as a response to the MSG
* [[Pacific Islands Forum]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.vanuatu.usp.ac.fj/library/Paclaw/Agreement%20Establishing%20the%20Melanesian%20Spearhead%20Group.pdf Agreement Establishing the Melanesian Spearhead Group].
* [http://www.worldtradelaw.net/fta/agreements/msgfta.pdf Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement].
* [http://www.pacificpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/D02-PiPP.pdf MSG: trading on political capital and Melanesian solidarity], Pacific Institute of Public Policy, Briefing Paper 02, July 2008.
* [http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p328371/pdf/ch13.pdf The Renaissance of the Melanesian Spearhead Group], The New Pacific Diplomacy 2015

{{Melanesia}}
{{Trade}}
{{South-South}}
{{international power|state=collapsed}}
{{Regional organizations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:International organizations based in Oceania]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1983]]
[[Category:Politics of Oceania]]
[[Category:Melanesia]]

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