31 Aug 2012

Call for allocation of project funding to sub-regional groups

1:27 pm on 31 August 2012

The Deputy Prime Minister of Vanuatu says sub-regional groups, such as the Melanesian Spearhead Group, have the ability to implement regional projects, and should be allocated some of the funding going to regional bodies such as the Pacific Islands Forum.

During a presentation to Pacific Leaders of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group on Tuesday, Ham Lini says there is a need for a re-think on how to better co-ordinate the delivery of services to member countries.

PACNEWS reports Mr Lini saying Vanuatu wants recognition that the Port Vila-based MSG has the capacity and expertise to implement regional projects, especially the ones that deal with complying with the Millennium Development Goals.

He says with the emergence of a new sub-regional group, the Polynesian Leaders Group, there is now a need to consider using these various organisations to implement activities within countries that share common issues and challenges.