The Solomon Islands Government is strengthening its national response to unexploded ordnance (UXO), calling it a public safety, humanitarian and development priority, according to a statement published on the government portal on 22 September.

Speaking at Palau, UXO Director Benzily Kasutaba said UXO left by past conflicts still endangered communities, livelihoods, land access and infrastructure work nationwide, the statement said. "UXO contamination affects not only public safety, but also access to land, infrastructure development, livelihoods and the wellbeing of future generations," Mr. Kasutaba said.

The statement said 114,560 UXO items have been destroyed to date, and later said more than 114,000 had been destroyed with significant work remaining. It said the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Department is the only team authorised to dispose of UXO and other war-era explosive remnants.

The HALO Trust is conducting non-technical surveys to locate contaminated areas and set clearance priorities, while commercial firms clear land under developer-led tenders, the statement said.

The statement said the HALO Trust also runs community risk education, Solomon Islands Telecommunications Company has sent UXO awareness messages via its SIM platform, and the RSIPF EOD Team holds awareness sessions in schools, ministries and communities.

The statement said instruments being drafted include a National UXO Bill; also a National UXO Policy and National UXO Standards; and policies on Land Release, Accreditation, Quality Assurance and UXO Information Management, supporting obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Priorities for the coming year are a National UXO Strategy and regulations underpinning the proposed National UXO Act, it said.

Mr. Kasutaba said one organisation alone could not solve the problem, and he acknowledged support from the RSIPF EOD Department, the HALO Trust, Solomon Islands Telecommunications Company and development partners, the statement said. "Let us continue working together to ensure that communities can live, work and develop safely, free from the fear and danger of unexploded ordnance."

Source: Based on the statement "Solomon Islands Strengthens National Response to Unexploded Ordnance Threat", published on the Solomon Islands Government portal (solomons.gov.sb) on 22 September 2026 and marked "-MPNSCS Press". https://solomons.gov.sb/solomon-islands-strengthens-national-response-to-unexploded-ordnance-threat/