FIRST LEADERS’ SUMMIT
COMMUNIQUE
1. The 1st United Liberation Movement for West Papua Leaders Summit was held in Port Vila, Vanuatu on 27 November to 3 December.
2. The Official Opening of the Summit was held at the Malvatuamuri Council of Chiefs’ Nakamal Complex, in Saralana. HE. Hon. Mr. Charlot Salwai MP, Prime Minister of Vanuatu made the opening remarks accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister of Vanuatu, the Hon. Mr. Joe Natuman MP. Also present was Minister of Lands, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, MP., Parliamentary Secretary/Special Envoy for West Papua to the Prime Minister, Hon. Jonny Koanapo, MP and Hon. Andrew Napuat, MP. The Opening Ceremony included the raising of the Vanuatu National Flag followed by the raising of the Morning Star Flag and West Papua National anthem “Hai Tanahku Papua”, which was sung by all Papuan leaders, delegation and support groups. A traditional ceremony of welcome dance was performed by the youths from Malakula. The Leaders then convened for the plenary at the Chief’s Nakamal building.
3. The Summit was chaired by the ULMWP Council Committee: Mr. Andy Ayamiseba, Chairman of West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL), Mr. Buchtar Tabuni, Chairman of National Parliament of West Papua (PNWP) and Mr. Edison Waromi, Prime Minister of the Federated Government of West Papua (NRFPB).
4. Leaders in attendance included the representative of the WPNCL, PNWP, NRFPB, The National Liberation Army of West Papua (TPN-PB), Military Council of the National Liberation Army (DM-TPNPB), West Papua Revolutionary Army (TRWP), the Customary Council of West Papua (DAP), West Papua Liberation Organisation (WPLO) and Alliance of Papuan Students (AMP).
5. The representatives of Vanuatu Cultural Centre, Port Vila, Tongoa Shepherds Women Association, Australia West Papua Association (AWPA), Catholic Commission for Justice
and Peace Australia, International Academic for West Papua-Australia, as Observers to the Summit and addressed the meeting.
6. Leaders also welcomed the Special Guest to the First ULMWP Leaders Summit. The Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak Socialiste (FLNKS), representative of MSG and Solomon Island to addressed the meeting.
7. Leaders considered and approved the Rules and Procedures of the First ULMWP Leaders’ Summit 2017.
8. The Leaders also noted that there were requests to the Council Committee to further develop procedures and criteria to assess non-affiliated Papuan resistance group applications for ULMWP membership to be considered.
9. The Leaders also noted that the UN-based MSG Ambassadors, Vanuatu Ambassador. Solomon Island Ambassador would be requested to be involved in consultations with the Decolonization Committee (C24) on the issue of West Papua regarding the West Papua Petition on self-determination toward political independence.
10. Leaders agreed to continue work with, develop and maintain the relationship with the 8 (Eight) Pacific Coalition for West Papua, MSG, PIF, ACP, CARRICOM, ACP-EU, and all West Papua support groups regarding the issue of West Papua right to self-determination toward political independence.
11. Leaders noted an update on the situation in West Papua and recognized that the human rights situation is becoming worse there, the Papuans and the Indonesians who support the human rights and the self-determination of West Papua were arrested and tortured.
12. As required by the Rules and Procedures, the Secretary General presented the Secretariat’s 2014-2017 Report to the Leaders for their consideration and approval.
13. The Leaders considered and received the following:
I. Report by the ULMWP Secretary General on the Secretariat’s Activities for the First Period of Work (2014-2017) included the Report from the ULMWP Liaison Team from West Papua;
II. Report by the ULMWP Working Committee (Ad Hoc Committee);
III. Draft of the Amendment of the By-Laws of the organization;
IV. Draft of the Regulation of the organization;
V. Draft of the Rules and Procedure of Finance;
VI. Draft of the Ethical Code of the organization; and
VII. Draft of the Job Descriptions
14. Leaders considered and subsequently adopted the Secretary General’s Report.
15. Leaders considered, discussed and approved the following:
(I) Report by the ULMWP Secretary General on the Secretariat’s Activities for the First Period of Work (2014-2017) included the Report from the ULMWP Liaison Team from West Papua;
(II) Report by the ULMWP Working Committee (Ad Hoc Committee);
(III) Draft of the Amendment of the By-Laws of the organization;
(IV) Draft of the Regulation of the organization;
(V) Draft of the Rules and Procedure of Finance
(VI) Draft of the Ethical Code of the organization
(VII) Draft of the Job Descriptions
16. As required by the By-Laws and the Rules of Procedures Leaders nominated and elected the new structure of the Executive Committee of the ULMWP Leadership for the second period of the Work Term 2018-2021. Leaders appointed are as follows:
Chair : Benny Wenda Vice Chair : Octovianus Mote Secretary : Rex Rumakiek Spokesperson : Jacob Rumbiak Treasurer : Paula Makabory Member : Oridek Ap
17. The 1 December celebrations and the Official Handing Over Ceremony of ULMWP Building commenced with a rally and march attended by ULMWP leadership, delegates from West Papua and solidarity groups from Vanuatu, Kanaky, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia and the United Kingdom. The march concluded at the new ULMWP Head Office in Anabrou where the Handing Over Ceremony was held. Opening remarks were made by West Papua Unification Committee, Pastor Allen Nafuki, followed by Deputy Prime Minister of Vanuatu, the Hon. Mr. Joe Natuman MP and HE. Hon. Mr. Charlot Salwai MP, Prime Minister of Vanuatu. Also in attendance was Minister of Lands, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, MP., Parliamentary Secretary/Special Envoy for West Papua to the Prime Minister, Hon. Johnny Koanapo, MP and Hon. Andrew Napuat, MP. The flags of Vanuatu and West Papua flew together and the National anthem “Hai Tanahku Papua” was sung by all Papuan leaders and delegation. Minister for Lands, Mr. Regenvanu handed over the keys to the building to ULMWP Chairman, Benny Wenda and Deputy Chair, Octovianus Mote. The building was officially opened by Prime Minister of Vanuatu. Mr. Salwai. After a tour of the building, the West Papuan delegation provided gifts to the Vanuatu government that were received in a traditional Melanesian ceremony of thanks by the National Council of Chiefs. ULMWP Chairman, Benny Wenda, addressed the delegates about the success of the Summit, the renewed commitment to unity and the growing strength in the movement inside West Papua as well as the international solidarity campaign. Pastor Peter Ranbel offered a Closing Prayer, which was followed by a Kava Ceremony with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister as the traditional sealing of the Official Handing Over Ceremony.
