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SPC and MSG forge partnership
SPC Director-General Dr. Jimmie Rodgers, left, and MSG Secretariat Director General Peter Forau shake hands after signing a memorandum of understanding in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on July 17, 2012. (SPC)
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat signed a memorandum of understanding on July 17, 2012, to enhance collaborative efforts between the two regional entities, both of which are charged with providing their members with advisory, capacity building, and research services.
Under the MOU, signed in Port Vila, Vanuatu, the two organizations will forge a partnership to collaboratively address the varied issues faced by their membership. The MOU also formalizes a shared commitment by the organizations to seek innovative solutions to these issues.
SPC Director-General Dr. Jimmie Rodgers said, “SPC welcomes this MOU and is looking forward to sharing information and engaging in dialogue to make progress in areas of interest to our members. SPC works in over 20 sectors, ranging from education, fisheries and health to transport, geosciences, and disaster risk management, and we are excited to work with the MSG Secretariat in some of these areas to advance regional economic and social development. .SPC is very keen to move this partnership forward and we hope to quickly map out and implement joint programming efforts.”
He also noted, “the MOU provides a platform for the two organizations to consider areas and services where SPC could reduce its direct involvement as the MSG Secretariat builds its capacity to support our mutual members to ensure such services are continued at the regional level.”
MSG Secretariat Director General Peter Forau also welcomed the signing. “This MOU will enable us to work closer with SPC to undertake activities that will support our members, particularly in the areas where we know that SPC has the technical expertise and the information that can assist us in developing appropriate policies and strategies.”
The MOU will cover a period of four years. (SPC)
