Latest News Archive June 2024

A very important partner in the process turned out to be the community policing unit from the Bloody Ridge Community Taskforce, a group of volunteers who accompanied the MCT team during their work in the community, initially as security, but later on as genuine supporters of the project.

Bloody Ridge Declared Free of Illegal Settlers

The campaign to reclaim Solomon Islands only national park started a year ago with an intense community awareness program in collaboration with the Attorney General’s chambers, Ministry of Lands and the local community policing unit.
The Minister for Public Service, John Tuhaika Jr held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination, Mr. Jung, Young Jun.

Minister of Public Service Engages in High Level Bilateral Meetings

The Hon. John Tuhaika Jr, Minister for Public Service of the Solomon Islands, participated in high-level bilateral meetings with key international figures in Incheon, Republic of Korea, focusing on fostering innovation and strengthening public service amid global challenges.
The contract signing was witnessed by Hon Manasseh Sogavare, Minister of Finance and Treasury, the Hon Manasseh Maelanga, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Acting Australian High Commissioner, Andrew Schloeffel.

Australia Provides SBD11m for Malaita South Road

Australia has provided SBD11 million to the Solomon Islands Government through the Solomon Islands National Transport Fund (NTF), for the Malaita South Emergency Road Maintenance Project.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, the Honourable Jeremiah Manele MP met Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles MP in Canberra, Australia.

Prime Minister Visit to Australia Concluded

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, the Honourable Jeremiah Manele was welcomed at Australian Parliament House by the Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP. In their meeting, the two leaders discussed their vision for a transformational Solomon Islands – Australia Partnership.
The ministry undertook this important process in compliance with the CDF Act 2023 and the Public Service Commission (PSC) Regulation and also it is part of the ministry’s commitment to implement the new Constituency Development Funds (CDF) Act 2023 requirements.

Recruitment for Constituency Positions Concluded

The Ministry of Rural Development Solomon Islands (MRD) have successfully completed interviews for the constituency’s various positions today.
Current world market price for cocoa fluctuates between USD9,000 to USD10,000 per ton, the highest in history and the local domestic price for dried cocoa beans in the country sits around $50-$60 per kg.

Agriculture Minister Pushes to Revive Cocoa Industry

The new Honourable Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Franklyn Derek Wasi says he is pushing for the availability of more funds to revitalize the cocoa industry.
Hon. Minister Wasi in appreciating PS Vaisekavea assured him that MAL with the leadership of PS Dr. Viulu will continue to build on the successes he had started in implementing its policies to further develop the agriculture and livestock sector, and wishes him well at MRD.

Agriculture Minister Welcomes New PS and Acknowledges Outgoing PS

The Honourable Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Franklyn Derek Wasi has thanked Lottie Vaisekavea for his outstanding work leading the Ministry for the past 20 months as the Permanent Secretary.
“I’m satisfied with the players I have now. We have been working very hard to build chemistry, and I have seen significant progress as we look ahead,” said Suri (r).

U19 Squad Announced for OFC Championship

The Solomon Islands Men’s U19 Head Coach, Batram Suri, has unveiled a 23-man squad set to compete in the OFC Men’s U19 Championship in Samoa, running from July 5-18.
They topped the league table with an impressive 28 points from 10 matches, securing the title by a 3-point margin ahead of Honiara City FC, who finished with 25 points.

Central Coast FC Champions of the S-League U19 2023 Season

Central Coast FC Men’s U19 team has emerged as the champions of the S-League Men’s U19 2023 season.
Solomon Airlines said the non-stop service from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo, is a welcome addition to the airline’s growing Pacific network and Vanuatu schedule.

Solomon Airlines to Commence Australia to Vanuatu Route

Solomon Airlines will commence a weekly direct flight from Brisbane to Vanuatu’s Espiritu Santo island from Thursday 4th July, with the 2-hour 50-minute non-stop service reopening an important direct route between Australia and Vanuatu, via the Brisbane gateway.
Susan Sulu is now the new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology.

Permanent Secretaries Sworn In

The Special Secretary to Prime Minister and five Permanent Secretaries were sworn in by the Acting Governor General Patteson Oti at the Government House on Wednesday 26th June 2024.
In their meetings, the two leaders discussed their vision for a transformational Solomon Islands – Australia Partnership.

Prime Minister Manele Visits Australia

On his first official visit as the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, the Hon Jeremiah Manele is in Australia from Sunday 23 to Saturday 29 June 2024.
During the tour, the Prime Minister gained first-hand insight into the production of bacon, hams, and small goods at Primo Foods and was also greeted by several Solomon Islanders who were on shift at the time of the visit.

Prime Minister Visited PALM Workers in Brisbane

This week, Solomon Islanders working under the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) initiative in Brisbane were honored with a visit from Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele.
Permanent Secretary for MJLA, Mr. George Hoa’au stressed that “we must be resourceful and efficiently smart with the resources given to us purposely to ensure that we measure what matters in the next 100 days."

Ministry of Justice Completes Implementation Schedule for 100 Day Priorities

The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA) and its Agencies have completed their schedule for collaboration towards the first GNUT 100 days’ priorities, particularly for the Justice Sector.
“MRD is a small ministry but with the largest footprint and I am happy to join the ministry to help our country in terms of development in our rural areas.”

Ministry of Rural Development Welcomes New Permanent Secretary

The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) has welcomed its new Permanent Secretary last week and has assured him of total support and commitment towards advancing the ministry’s key priorities.
A highlight of the program was a guided tour where MPs interacted with support staff from various departments and key stakeholders, gaining firsthand knowledge of the resources available to them.

Comprehensive Induction Program for Members of Parliament Concludes

A weeklong Induction, Orientation and Ongoing Professional Development Programs for Members of Parliament successfully concluded on Friday 21st June 2024.
Total arrivals of persons for the first quarter of 2024 was 10,159, a decrease of 45.1% compared to the 4th quarter of 2023.

Significant Drop in First Quarter 2024 International Arrivals

The Solomon Islands National Statistics Office released the latest Statistical bulletin for International Arrivals on Saturday 22nd June 2024.
The significant event, running from June 24th to June 26th, brings together global leaders and senior public servants under the theme “Fostering Innovation amid Global Challenges.”

Minister of Public Service Leads Delegation to High-Level UN Public Service Forum

The Solomon Islands delegation, led by the Honourable Minister of Public Service, Hon. Tuhaika Jr, is attending the prestigious UN Public Service Forum in Incheon, Republic of Korea.
Organised by Ecotourism Australia, the inaugural summit brought together over 200 experts and speakers from Australia and the region representing sustainable tourism operations and destinations.

Tourism Operators Explore Sustainability in Brisbane

Tourism operators from across Solomon Islands have travelled to Australia to build knowledge on sustainable tourism and foster connects with industry counterparts.
During the week, the two Heads of Agencies will hold joint meetings with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, various ministers, and development partners.

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Conduct Joint Visit

The United Nations Resident Coordinator to Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, Dirk Wagener, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji Resident Representative, Tuya Altangerel, are currently in Solomon Islands.
Solomon Power CEO Martin Sam (C) said, “Solomon Power is all about nation building”

Solomon Power Sponsors Women's Basketball League

The Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) has signed a sponsorship deal with Solomon Power for the Women’s Senior Basketball League in 2024.
The induction program is expected to not only enhance MPs' understanding of their constitutional roles but also help them establish development priorities, personal goals, and actionable plans for their term

Members of Parliament Induction Program Underway

The Induction, orientation and ongoing professional development program for Members of the 12th Parliament is currently underway at the Heritage Park Hotel.
Carved by Riaz Haikiu (C) from Rennell and Bellona Province, the carved paddle was inscribed with both Melanesian and Polynesian motifs representing the diversity of Solomon Islands cultures.

Symbolic Carved Paddle Touches Hearts

A Solomon Islands carved paddle handed over to the Hawaiian authorities as a gift from Solomon Islands at the close of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture touched the hearts of Hawaiian elders managing the Carving Venue at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.
Solomon Airlines is tremendously proud of the achievements of its flight crew members, who excelled during training and examinations, adding significant new capability to the airline’s domestic pilot workforce.

Airlines Celebrates Expanded Domestic Pilot Workforce

Solomon Airlines is celebrating a significant expansion of the airline’s pilot workforce and capability, warmly congratulating eight new pilots who will fly the national carrier’s domestic routes and the promotion of existing flight crew members who have completed further advanced training.
Cocoa, one of Solomon Islands’ biggest agricultural export earners, provides income opportunities for over 25,000 smallholder farmers and over 10 processors and exporters, generating SBD 15 million in export sales annually.

Networking Event Hosted to Promote Cocoa Industry

Australia’s Strongim Bisnis recently held an evening of cocoa networking, connecting Solomon Islands cocoa businesses, international cocoa buyers, and the governments of the Solomon Islands and Australia.
The forum aimed to enhance the capacities of MVA executive members by facilitating knowledge exchange with their counterparts from other provinces, providing training in important skills such as proposal writing and conducting awareness sessions with key partners.

UNWomen Hosts Market Vendors Forum

The Market Vendors Association (MVA) Forum, organised by UN Women to empower women market vendors, took place from June 11 to 13 in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Speaker Oti extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Office of the Clerk, contributing writers, and editorial contributors from the New South Wales Parliament for their invaluable contributions towards this initiative.

Member of Parliament Guide Book Launched

Hon. Patteson John Oti, the Speaker of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, has launched the Members of Parliament Guide Book, marking a significant milestone for the Legislative institution over which Speaker Oti presides.
Solomon Islands traditional and contemporary arts and craft displays have captivated the hearts and curiosity of festival visitors heralding the originality, creativity and uniqueness of our arts industry.

Culture Minister Encourages Participants to Highlight Art and Culture with Pride

The Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Choylin Douglas has encouraged Solomon Islands delegation to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) to raise the profile of our country’s arts and culture with pride.
The theme of dialogue on national cross gender dialogue is “Promoting Violence Prevention through Peacebuilding Cross Gender Dialogue” aimed at Promoting Stakeholder Collaborative Engagements in Violence Prevention in Solomon Islands.

"Prevention Must be a Central Focus"

Prevention must become a central focus of community and government efforts to address men’s violence against women and girls.
The event was an opportunity for both the police and the community to interact and build bridges where it need be.

Police Host Community Games

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) along with its security partners have hosted a community engagement program through sports at the Honiara Secondary High School field last Saturday.
Being vulnerable to Climate Change, many Pacific nations have set ambitious targets for reducing their CO2 emissions by 2030 and transitioning to nearly 100% renewable energy sources.

Solomons Participate in Pacific-Wide Project Highlighting Potential of Solar Energy

The Solomon Islands continue to lead by example as the Governor General Residence has been fitted with new solar panels as part of the “Solarization of Residences of Pacific Heads of State Project”.
In Auki Market, 300 rural women market vendors travel daily to support family obligation such as education for their children, housing, social and cultural obligations.

Women's Contribution Shapes Tomorrow's Society

In the heart of Auki, Solomon Islands, where vibrant culture intersects with the challenges of economic development, a story unfolds, showcasing the transformative power of financial well-being in alleviating poverty.
Australia’s support for the 494 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships for Solomon Islanders recognises of the importance of skills training for economic development.

Boosting Jobs through Support for TVET

Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, has announced funding of 494 scholarships to equip Solomon Islanders with the skills and qualifications they need to get jobs, at home in Solomon Islands and abroad.
These initiatives will benefit a total of 1,095 individuals, including 340 women, 370 men, 188 girls, and 197 boys, thereby upholding their fundamental rights to water and sanitation.

Isabel Province to Benefit from UNDP Grant

Isabel Province has been awarded an initial grant of SBD$65,758 (USD $8,042) under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Provincial Governance and Service Delivery (PGSD) project, funded by the European Union.
“Solomon Islands has a bright future and its young people are key to unlocking all the country can offer.”

Investing in Education for Solomon Islands

Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, visited Mbokona Community High School in Honiara Solomon Islands to meet with the school community and officially open a new science laboratory.
The Solomon Islands Delegation to the Summit.

Challenges and Ways Forward in Eliminating Malaria Discussed

Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers informed a regional gathering at the 8th Asia Pacific Leader’s Summit on Malaria Elimination in Port Moresby that funding gaps to target malaria elimination in the three-malaria endemic Pacific nations remains a challenge and so integrated approaches is the way forward.
In a meeting with Prime Minister Hon Jeremiah Manele, Minister Wong congratulated the Prime Minister on his appointment and listened to the new government’s priorities.

Australian Foreign Minister Meets with Solomon Island Government

Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, is in Honiara to meet with Prime Minister Hon Jeremiah Manele and Ministers of the Government for National Unity and Transformation.
From 12th June, Solomon Airlines will commence two return flights weekly between Honiara, Port Vila and Auckland all of which will be operated by Solomon Airlines aircraft.

Airline Brings Forward Additional New Zealand Flight to Meet Demand

Solomon Airlines is moving quickly to meet demand for flights between Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Zealand, announcing the airline will bring forward the start of twice-weekly scheduled flights to Auckland.
At just 14, Junior’s ambition led him to enroll in the basic refereeing course, a pioneering step for someone of his age in the country.

Big Dreams in Refereeing for Teenager

Among the recent 70 recipients of the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Basic Referee Course is a young trailblazer who is making waves in an unexpected field.
At the 4th International Conference on Small Islands Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda, Solomon Islands Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ms Fiona Indu emphasized that the country's greatest asset lies in the knowledge, skills, and health of its people.

Government Stresses Importance of Investment in Human Capital

The Solomon Islands Government emphasized the critical importance of investing in human capital to drive equitable and sustainable growth amid climate change, health crises, and other development challenges facing island nations.
The bilateral with Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Andreas Krakiv, yielded fruitful discussions on mutual cooperation.

Government Forges Vital Partnerships at SIDS4 Conference

The Solomon Islands delegation to the 4th International Conference on Small Islands Developing States (SIDS4) seized the opportunity presented by the conference to engage in a series of critical bilateral meetings.
The Solomon Islands delegation comprised of performing and visual artists, contemporary and modern musicians, carvers, weavers, dancers, culinary artists, a film maker and officials.

FestPac Participation Vital for Tourism Sector

Solomon Islands’ participation at regional festivals such as the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) and Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) is vital for the country’s tourism industry.

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