Fiji, June 18 -- Vanuatu has hailed the appointment of Dr Anna Naupa as the new Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), making her the first woman and first ni-Vanuatu to lead the regional organisation in its 40-year history.

In a statement the Office of Prime Minister Jotham Napat described the appointment as a historic achievement for Vanuatu and the wider Melanesian region.

"Today, Vanuatu stands proud.

"Dr Anna Naupa - one of our nation's finest minds and respected leader in development - has been appointed Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)," the statement said.

The government noted that since the MSG was founded in 1986 by former leaders including Paias Wingti, Walter Lini, Ezekiel Alebua ...