Maciu Malo
Sunday, January 29, 2012

THE Melanesian Spearhead Group has successfully completed a three-day ministerial meeting on climate change and environment issues.

Director of Environment Jope Davetanivalu said the Nadi meeting discussed environmental and climate change programs, and the need to improve relationships with regional and international organisations and create a clear understanding of the partnership with developed countries.

"The meeting was for the ministers to get their acts together on these two important issues," said Mr Davetanivalu.

He said the outcome could result in the establishment of an environment and climate change division within the MSG structure.

"I think that will be discussed by the leaders in their next meeting in March," Mr Davetanivalu said.

He said the ministers also agreed to share activities and programs at national level.

"For instance, Fiji and Vanuatu are working on visiting Papua New Guinea to learn what's in progress with their geothermal mining activities and other mineral activities.

"So, I think this is a step in the right direction when we deal with environment in the Melanesian Group and one of the things we want to achieve is to try and present a stronger Melanesian voice.

"We have rich resources ù why don't we utilise these resources for the benefit of our communities?"

Mr Davetanivalu said while MSG countries were blessed with an abundance of resources, of crucial importance was the need to manage them well.

"We've got forests, rivers, the ocean and minerals ù they can be our strength if they are fully-utilised for economic development.

"However, they can also be a weakness if we mismanage the resources, thus creating more environmental problems which contribute to climate change effects."