BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen transparency, accountability and coordination in the country’s mining sector as Solomon Islands prepares for increased mining activity and to rejoin the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

In a joint media statement, the three partners said government institutions are stepping up efforts to protect the country’s natural resources from corruption, illicit financial flows and revenue leakages through stronger cooperation among key agencies.

The statement follows a national workshop in Honiara attended by more than 30 representatives from government ministries, oversight bodies, law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence institutions, accountability organisations, civil society groups and mining companies.

The workshop focused on building a coordinated national response to corruption, illicit financial flows and revenue leakages in the mining sector.

The workshop was organised by UNDP in partnership with the Solomon Islands EITI National Secretariat under the project supporting the Government of Solomon Islands to implement the EITI.

The initiative is funded by the Government of the United Kingdom. Participants examined corruption and governance risks while identifying practical ways to improve institutional cooperation, information sharing and coordinated responses among agencies responsible for regulation, revenue administration, financial intelligence, investigations and prosecution.

Opening the workshop on behalf of the Government, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Coswal Nelson, said protecting public revenues generated from natural resources is essential to achieve the country’s development goals.

He said the extractive industries sector has the potential to generate revenue, create opportunities and support national development, but weak governance creates opportunities for corruption and revenue losses.

He said that stronger coordination among institutions is essential to safeguard public resources and strengthen public confidence. 

Representing the United Kingdom, Deputy British High Commissioner Cameron Millar said natural resources present significant opportunities for economic growth.

He however said that without strong governance systems they can become vulnerable to corruption, opaque ownership structures and substantial revenue losses.

He said transparency, accountability and institutional cooperation are vital to ensure that resource wealth benefits all Solomon Islanders, adding that lasting reforms must be driven by national institutions.

UNDP Programme Specialist for Inclusive Governance and Economic Growth, Solomon Kalu, said strengthening integrity in the extractive sector goes beyond preventing corruption and is key to ensuring that natural resource wealth contributes to the country’s long-term development.

He said stronger partnerships, better information sharing and practical actions among institutions will help improve transparency and accountability across the mining sector.

The joint statement said the workshop forms part of UNDP’s broader support for Solomon Islands’ re-engagement with the EITI through technical assistance, institutional capacity development, policy support and multi-stakeholder engagement.

It added that strengthening governance across the mining sector will help build public confidence and ensure the country’s mineral wealth delivers lasting benefits for current and future generations.

Photos: Supplied

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The construction of the new Santa Cruz Airport Terminal has reached a significant milestone, with all major civil, structural, architectural, and building services works now substantially completed.

This announcement was made by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), through the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) and with support from the World Bank in a statement from SIRAP2 Project yesterday.

The statement said this landmark investment is a representation of major enhancement of aviation infrastructure for Temotu province and the Solomon Islands.

SIRAP2 said key phases of the terminal which include design and mobilisation, site preparation, foundation works, soil treatment, and concrete works have been successfully delivered.

To add on, structural works such as steel and timber installation along with roofing systems, skylights, gutters, and downpipes are also complete providing a fully functional terminal structure.

“All internal and external finishes, including wall, ceilings, doors, windows, and decorative elements, have been finalized. Essential passenger facilities such as toilet, sinks, and water closets are installed, alongside installation two 10,000-litre water tanks, a fully operational septic system, and complete mechanical, electrical, plumbing, sanitary, and hydraulic systems.

“Additional infrastructure like fire alarm, furniture and fixtures, security fencing, drainage works, and an open parking area has also been completed,” the statement said.

Also stated is that testing and commissioning works are currently 80 percent complete and final connection to Solomon Power is still pending.

These final steps are said to be critical to ensure full operational readiness and compliance with safety standards.

MCA Permanent Secretary, Alwyn Danitofea spoke highly of this project, saying that it is a milestone that demonstrates what can be achieved through effective collaboration, technical diligence, and a shared commitment that has driven this initiative forward.

He also highlighted that while construction nears completion, the priority should be ensuring that systems are fully tested, safe and ready to provide reliable services for the people of Temotu.

“While construction is nearing completion, our priority remains ensuring that all systems are fully tested, safe, and ready provide to provide reliable services for the people of Temotu Province,” said Danitofea.

According to the SIRAP2, this new terminal with the recently upgraded airfield is expected to be officially handed over to MCA and the people of Temotu province in August this year.

Apart from this project, SIRAP2 is also engaged in other infrastructure projects in other provinces.

“Beyond this activity, SIRAP2 continues to deliver several road and aviation infrastructure investments nationwide.

“These include the upgrades of Suavanao Airfields, investments in air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces, construction of the new Aviation Complex Building in Honiara and Air Traffic Control Towers in Honiara and Munda, ongoing maintenance of regional airports, rehabilitation of 21 kilometres of the East Road between Baratolo and Atori and sealing of 12 kilometres of the North Road between Auki Gwaunaru’u Airfield Junction and Kwaisuliniu Road Junction,” the statement said.

Photo credit: SIRAP 2 Project

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PRIME Minister Matthew Wale has called on Pacific Island countries to strengthen unity and turn regional commitments into meaningful action as he begins his tenure as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.

Delivering his maiden address as Forum Chair in Suva, Fiji, on Thursday, he said the Pacific has never been short of vision and ambition, but the region must now focus on implementing the commitments it has collectively made.

Wale said the strength of the Blue Pacific Continent will never be found in the number of meetings, but in the difference, leaders make together for future generations.

“We have produced bold declarations, ambitious strategies and collective commitments that continue to shape our region and inspire the international community. The challenge before us now is not one of good ideas, it is one of implementation,” he said.

Wale said successful implementation of regional ambitions will require stronger collaboration among Forum member countries, the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agencies and development partners.

He said all members must collaborate and work together.

“All CROP agencies must also work together as one unit, and all development partners must support member-driven priorities,” Wale said.

Wale said leadership should not be measured by discussions alone but by the tangible improvements delivered to the lives of Pacific people.

He said progress on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent must be determined by positive changes experienced by Pacific Islanders.

“Our people are looking to us not simply for statements of intent, but for tangible progress and lasting results,” Wale said.

Wale encourages forum leaders to focus on building Pacific regionalism’s ambitions with collective actions.

“Let this be the next chapter of our regionalism and our Pacific Way, where implementation becomes the defining measure of our success,” he said.

Wale calls on forum leaders to remain focused on safeguarding the future of the region for future generations.

He said forum members should rethink how the region views itself to rediscover priorities in the modern era.

“We need to rediscover the Pacific in a modern era. Too often we emphasise our vulnerabilities to the point that the opportunities we have struggle to surface,” Wale said.

He said Pacific’s nearly 40 million square kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone is one of the region’s greatest strengths.

Wale said unity, shared values and strong leadership will enable the Blue Pacific to overcome any challenge.

He said the current task is to focus on practical solutions rather than dwelling on problems and warning against “problematising” issues.

“As we shape the future of our region, let us ensure that our regionalism remains inclusive, drawing strength from the voices of all our people, particularly our young people, whose energy, innovation and leadership will carry forward the vision we set today,” Wale said.

He acknowledged the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat for its continued service and said he looks forward to working closely with member countries in preparation for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

Photo credit: PINA (Pacific Islands News Association)

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BY JOSES SAREN

The Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), Peter Kenilorea Jnr has reaffirmed Solomon Islands and Japan’s strong partnership during a high-level bilateral meeting with Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iwao Horii, and his delegation at the Ministry’s head office in Honiara on 29 June 2026.

A statement from MPNDC on Thursday this week said the meeting reaffirmed the strong and enduring partnership between the two countries and catered to discussions on shared development priorities.

At the meeting, Kenilorea Jnr said Solomon Islands and Japan enjoy a friendship rooted in mutual respect since their diplomatic relations began back in 1978.

He said Japan is a vital development partner that is supporting Solomon Islands growth and development in areas like infrastructure, human resource development and technical cooperation.

Kenilorea Jnr also acknowledged the positive impacts of programs managed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme and Japan’s assistance towards Solomon Islands National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-2035.

He said Solomon Islands looks forward to receive Japan’s Country Development Cooperation Policy, a policy that provides a strategic framework for future bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

MPNDC mentioned that regional issues and the upcoming Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) 11 were also discussed at the meeting.

The Minister referred to PALM as an important forum to address climate change and economic development.

In this regard, he welcomed Japan’s efforts to align PALM 11 outcomes with the regional 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

Kenilorea Jnr said Solomon Islands is keen to help shape a successful agenda for the upcoming PALM 11.

He then raised concerns about transnational crime of which included drug trafficking, which threatens the nation’s maritime security.

To top that off, the country’s vulnerability to global fuel prices was also discussed at the meeting.

The Minister further expressed Solomon Islands’ interest to join the Japan’s Indo-Pacific Energy Security initiative to strengthen economic resilience.

Photo: MNPDC

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

FORUM Chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale has reaffirmed that the Blue Pacific Continent philosophy remains the region’s greatest strategic asset, urging Pacific leaders to strengthen regionalism to safeguard the future of the Pacific.

Speaking during his official visit to Suva, Fiji, Wale said regionalism has been the driving force behind many of the Pacific’s greatest achievements and must continue to shape the region’s future.

He said the theme of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, hosted by Solomon Islands in Honiara last year captured the spirit of Pacific unity.

“Last year in Solomon Islands, we came together under the theme ‘Iumi Tugeda – Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent.’ Iumi Tugeda is more than a theme. It reflects our shared identity, respect, our interconnectedness and our enduring responsibility to one another as one Pacific family,” Wale said.

He said the ocean itself is what binds forum members together through shared values, history and a common future.

According to Wale, regional cooperation has enabled Pacific Island countries to amplify their collective voices on critical global issues, including climate change, maritime boundaries, ocean governance and regional resilience.

“It is through regionalism that we transform many small island states into one Blue Pacific Continent. It allows us to speak with one voice where individually our voices may struggle to be heard,” he said.

Wale said regionalism enables Pacific nations to engage with international partners from a position of strength rather than vulnerability.

“If Iumi Tugeda taught us anything, it is that our greatest achievements will never come from acting alone. They come when we journey forward together,” he said.

Wale stressed that regionalism should remain the foundation for both the region’s development and its long-term security.

He said security in the Pacific has never been about competition between nations, but about protecting Pacific peoples, sovereignty and the region’s way of life.

“It is about ensuring that the Blue Pacific remains an ocean and region of peace, stability and mutual respect,” Wale said.

He acknowledged the important role of regional agreements such as the Biketawa Declaration and the Boe Declaration but said there is still more work to be done to strengthen the regional security architecture.

Wale said any future regional framework must be built on Pacific priorities, guided by Pacific values and consistently applied in engagements with development partners.

“As leaders, we should never shy away from considering bold ideas that strengthen our collective security and provide greater certainty for future generations,” he said.

Wale suggested exploring stronger regional mechanisms that would reinforce the security principles already agreed upon by Pacific leaders while ensuring decisions affecting the region are led by Pacific countries themselves.

“Our objective should remain unchanged—to ensure that decisions affecting the security of our Blue Pacific are shaped first and foremost by us, as a region,” he said.

Wale also called on leaders to show greater ambition and visionary leadership to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

He urged Forum members to protect the annual Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting as the region’s premier decision-making platform and prevent it from being undermined by outside interests.

“We must jealously guard our leaders meeting as the single most important regional platform our leaders have each year,” Wale said.

He also proposed the establishment of a regional mechanism that would safeguard the Pacific’s collective security, support the aspirations of the Ocean of Peace initiative, encompass the principles of the Boe Declaration and utilise the processes established under the Biketawa Declaration.

Wale reminded leaders that regionalism extends beyond institutions and agreements.

“Regionalism is not simply the work of our institutions. It is who we are as Pacific peoples,” he said.

Photo credit: PINA (Pacific Islands News Association)

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PRIME Minister Matthew Cooper Wale says geopolitics is no secret in the Pacific region, stressing that Pacific Islands Forum leaders must take ownership of the region’s future amid growing international competition for influence.

Speaking in Suva, Fiji, this week during his visit for the Pacific Islands Forum Troika meeting, Wale said the Pacific is witnessing a rapid expansion of partnerships and strategic arrangements as global powers compete for influence at national, regional and international levels.

He said the increasingly complex geopolitical environment presents new challenges that could divert Forum members from their shared goals and priorities.

“Over the years, our Forum has grown in influence and stature. With that has come greater international interest in our region, our priorities and our collective voice.

“We welcome that interest and we value our partnerships. But we must always remind ourselves that our development agenda must remain one that is conceived, driven and owned by the Pacific,” Wale said.

He said development partners should support and complement Pacific ambitions rather than define or shape them.

Wale said Forum leaders have a responsibility to ensure the Pacific Islands Forum remains the region’s foremost political institution.

“As Leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that the Pacific Islands Forum remains first and foremost the political home of our region,” he said.

Wale said leaders should continue exploring ways to keep the annual Forum Leaders Meeting firmly focused on member priorities while strengthening engagement with development partners through more strategic and purposeful dialogue.

He said such an approach would preserve the Forum’s greatest strength—a platform where Pacific leaders speak first and with one voice on issues affecting the region.

“The future of our region will not be determined by the interests of others. It will be determined by the choices we make together as one Blue Pacific family,” Wale said.

He said the Pacific is living in an era of heightened geopolitical competition similar to the reality climate change.

“The fact that we are in a geopolitically contested time is no secret. Just like climate change—it is our current reality in the Pacific region,” Wale said.

He said the changing strategic environment reinforces the importance of the Forum Family by providing Pacific leaders with dedicated space to discuss common concerns, aspirations and regional priorities.

Wale said the Forum Troika leaders’ meeting reaffirmed that the region’s future ultimately rests in the hands of Pacific people themselves.

“Our success as a region, and as a Blue Pacific Continent spread out in our vast Ocean of Peace, lies not in the hands of others but our very own—unless we do not take ownership of our own destiny and hand it over to others, willingly or otherwise, to shape,” he said.

Wale said the challenges make regional ownership and unity more important than ever.  

“It is precisely in times like these that regional ownership matters most,” he said.

Photo credit: PINA (Pacific Islands News Association)

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BY NED GAGAHE

The People’s Republic of China (PRC), China has donated SBD$100,000 to the Shortland Islands Constituency to help ease financial pressures caused by Cyclone Maila, including outstanding school fees for students.

The funding was officially received on July 2, 2026 by the Shortland Islands Constituency Office.

The constituency office in a statement posted on their official Facebook page yesterday said, the donation will be used to partially pay outstanding school fees that were delayed after funds were diverted to assist families affected by Cyclone Maila.

The office said student fee funds had been redirected during the cyclone response to meet urgent humanitarian needs, creating a financial burden that the constituency is now working to address.

The constituency expressed its gratitude to the Chinese Government, thanking Chinese Ambassador Cai Weiming and officials from the Chinese Embassy for responding quickly to its request for assistance.

The constituency office also acknowledged the efforts of embassy staff in processing the funding following an urgent appeal from Constituency Development Officer Bernard Laore on behalf of communities and students affected by the financial impacts of the cyclone.

The official handover was conducted by Chinese Embassy official Chen Jialuo and attended by Constituency Development Officer Bernard Laore and Accountant Officer Victor Bariri.

Member of Parliament for the Shortland Islands, Junior Isikeli Vave, thanked the Government and people of China for the assistance, saying the contribution reflects the strong partnership between China and the Shortland Islands Constituency.

The constituency office said the donation will help reduce the financial burden on affected families while ensuring students can continue their education following the disruptions caused by Cyclone Maila.

Photo credit: Shortland Constituency office

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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA

The provincial capital of Isabel province, Buala is currently experiencing flooded roads and significant rainfall pouring into the nearby community of Jejevo.

Moderate to heavy rainfall was said to have continued since 10pm on Thursday night, July 2.

Apart from blocked roads, the Fera airfield at Buala town is also filled with water.

According to Buala Provincial Health Director, Martin Gavira who resides near the Jejevo community, road access has been covered by water and families are also evacuating from their homes.

He said the water source is likely to pose significant health hazards, increasing the risk of water diseases in Buala.

He advised that they boil water before consuming or using it as a health safety measure.

Gavira said the Provincial Disaster Operational Committee (PDOC) at Buala is reaching out to villages and communities around Isabel Province to ensure precautionary measures are taken as rainfall is still developing.

According to the Solomon Islands Meteorology Service (SIMS) southeasterly winds is expected at 20 to 25 knots over most waters of Solomon Islands, seas will be moderate too rough with southeasterly swells of 2.5 to 3.5 meters, and showers and thunderstorms are expected to reduce visibility in some areas.

Photo credit: Andson Wong

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