THE major of the Port Vila Municipality (PVMC), Ulrich Sumptoh, his deputy Leimara Maraki, councillors of the PVMC, the town clerk, his deputy and heads of departments made an inaugural visit to the Director General and Staff of the MSG Secretariat Wednesday in Port Vila.
The visit was a first for the Port Vila Municipality as host city of the MSG Headquarters.
Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Solomon Islander Peter Forau said that he and all staff of the MSG Secretariat were honoured to receive the mayor and his delegation and were pleased to welcome them to the MSG headquarters on behalf of the members of the MSG.
Solomon Islands is a member of the MSG.
Mr Forau stated that the visit is not a coincidence as this follows his earlier courtesy call on the Mayor of the city that hosts the MSG Secretariat.
He added that the time has come for the Secretariat to build linkages and explore avenues of partnership with key institutions of the MSG member countries; and that the best way of doing that is to begin in MSG capital Port-Vila that hosts the MSG Secretariat.
He further added that he looks forward to further strengthening cooperation and relations with the Port Vila Municipality.
Mayor Sumptoh thanked the Director General and staff of the MSG Secretariat for availing themselves to welcome him and his delegation and said that he values the potential partnership that his Council and the Municipality of Port-Vila would like to develop with the MSG Secretariat as a beneficial conduit to also associate with MSG capital cities.
He firmly believes that his visit will mark the beginning of a strong relationship between the Council, the Municipality and the residents of Port-Vila with the MSG Secretariat when they come to learn and understand more the key roles and functions this organisation is driving to enable positive regional integration within the MSG and the Pacific.
Mayor Sumptoh is confident that better collaboration with the Secretariat and further partnerships with the MSG capitals through their city councils will enable the citizens of Port Vila and MSG sister cities to aspire more to the vision of the MSG Leaders for the greater benefit of the people of Melanesia.
Mayor Sumptoh and Mr Forau agreed to hold further talks to strengthen their relations and identify areas of possible cooperation.
As part of the visit, Mayor Sumptoh and all Councillors were briefed on the history and current programs and activities of the MSG Secretariat and were also given a guided tour around in all Divisions of the MSG Secretariat to familiarise themselves with the different roles and functions of the Secretariat.
