The action plan offers a strategic approach to driving sustainable, resilient development in the Pacific’s Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries – Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu – through green trade initiatives.

Developed by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the MSG Secretariat, the plan offers a clear and actionable path to balance economic growth with sustainable practices, while addressing key regional challenges such as climate vulnerability, geographical isolation, and dependence on a narrow range of exports. By focusing on inclusivity, especially for youth and women, the plan also seeks to create equitable economies.

The plan revolves around three core actions: capacity-building, data collection and policy coordination. Together, these initiatives will foster a more integrated and sustainable regional trade environment, ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared across all sectors of society.

Action 1: Capacity-building to promote green trade and boost competitiveness

This action focuses on training stakeholders, such as small businesses, farmers and government officials, to promote green trade, overcome trade barriers, seize new market opportunities and boost regional competitiveness.

Special emphasis is placed on making these training initiatives accessible to women and youth, ensuring that development is inclusive. The plan also encourages sharing resources and best practices across MSG countries and creating a regional platform for voluntary sustainability standards.

Action 2: Data collection for informed policymaking

By regularly sharing data and insights, the countries can ensure that policies are driven by solid evidence. The plan also recommends innovative data collection methods, such as mobile and geographic data gathering, to support the development of green trade policies.

The goal is to provide policymakers with the tools needed to create targeted, inclusive policies to promote sustainable trade and monitor their effectiveness.

Action 3: Policy coordination to build a cohesive and resilient trade environment

This action seeks to align national policies with regional sustainable development strategies, harmonize regulations and facilitate the sharing of best practices.

The plan also calls for creating a regional implementation group to monitor progress and ensure the ongoing coordination of efforts. By fostering policy coherence, MSG countries can promote sustainable economic growth that benefits all segments of society in line with the MSG 2038 Prosperity for All Plan.

The report is part of the project “Green trade for sustainable development in Pacific small island developing States of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)”.

The project was financed through the United Nations Development Account (12th Tranche) and implemented by UNCTAD jointly with the MSG Secretariat.

The objective of the Project is to identify and strengthen synergistic linkages between green trade promotion and the Sustainable Development Strategies (SDS) of MSG member States – Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu – in a regionally collaborative manner.