The four member states of the Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG)—Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu—are heavily reliant on international trade but face significant challenges such as high trade costs and low price competitiveness.
They experience disadvantages common to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including remoteness, small populations, limited geographic size, and resource constraints, which hinder their ability to capitalize on economies of scale.
The UNDA-funded project "Green Trade for Sustainable Development in Pacific Small Island Developing States of the Melanesian Spearhead Group" was implemented by UNCTAD and the MSG Secretariat from February 2020 to December 2023.
The project aimed to help the MSG member states diversify and enhance the value of their exports while promoting green economic growth and sustainable development. It specifically addressed the structural barriers to trade and vulnerability to climate change faced by Pacific SIDS.
The project's objective was to enhance the capacity of MSG countries to integrate green trade promotion into their sustainable development strategies and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key aims included strengthening linkages between green trade policies and national strategies and enhancing sub-regional partnerships on non-tariff measures (NTMs) and sustainable practices.
The evaluation assessed the project’s progress and outcomes over its duration and highlighted its contributions to green trade promotion in Melanesia.
While successful, the project also recognized ongoing needs for additional commitment at national and sub-regional levels to consolidate outputs and address challenges.
The project was well-received by national partners and aligned with the needs of the four countries, demonstrating strong collaboration with the MSG Secretariat.
The ultimate beneficiaries were small businesses in green exports, though their specific definitions were not clearly stated. Overall, the project effectively addressed the goals of green trade promotion and the integration of national priorities.