BY LORETTA B MANELE

While 25 constituencies have received solar power system equipment, the remaining 25 constituencies will get theirs next year.

Gu Wenlong, an official and representative from the Chinese Embassy in Honiara revealed this during a handover ceremony of solar power system to remaining constituencies of the first group of 25 constituencies on Friday, November 14, 2025.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, he also expressed gratitude to the staff of the Ministry of Environment and representatives of constituencies who attended the program.

Wenlong said them working hard together during the past few months has made the day’s event possible.

He also took the opportunity to congratulate David Hiba Hiriasia, Ministry of Environment’s newly appointed Permanent Secretary.

“And also, I wish to say congratulations to my brother, David, for your new position as the P.S. for the Environment Ministry. And we hope that as your position evolves, we will continue our cooperation with you, no matter what kind of position you are holding today or in the future, to enhance the cooperation we already have in different areas,” said Wenlong.

Moreover, he stated that the handover ceremony also shows China’s dedication to tackling climate change.

Wenlong said China is a major contributor to world efforts to handle climate change.

“Over the past decade, China’s annual consumption per unit of GDP has dropped more than 3 percent in each year. China’s installed renewable energy capacity has grown to 370 million kilowatts, accounting for more than 64 percent of the world’s total,” he said.

Wenlong also stated that in the past years, China has helped reduce 60 percent of the cost of global wind power generation, and 80 percent of the cost of global photovoltaic power generation.

“….. and more than 1.4 billion tons of carbon emissions from other countries, making a significant contribution to the global fight against climate change,” he added.

Wenlong further noted that two months ago, Chinese President, Xi Jing Ping, during his address to the UN Climate Summit that China by the year 2035, will reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10 percent, increase the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to over 30 percent and expand the installed capacity of wind and solar power, with the aspiration to bring the total to more than 3,000 gigawatts and scale up the total forest installed water to over 24 billion cubic meters.

“So, this is really a very big proposal by our President for the world to deal with climate change, and also we all know that other countries are really seriously affected or damaged by climate change,” he said.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The media is not doing enough when it comes to reporting on “energy”, says Robert Luke Iroga, journalist and CEO of Solomon Islands Business Magazine.

He spoke briefly about this as a panel member on UNDP and Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) Panel Discussion on “Pathways towards better electric power availability, affordability, and sustainability” last Friday at Heritage Park Hotel.

“I think the media is not doing enough on energy. We want to report about power cuts.

“We want to report about planned outages.

“We never report about the realities of why the tariffs go high. Why we have an age infrastructure that also contributes towards the tariff,” he said.

Iroga stated that the media has also never reported on issues of advances in solar technology or on advances in technologies for new energy that will helps us to move forward.

In regards to the UNDP and MMERE’s public survey on national energy planning and discussions on energy, he said this is the part where the media can play in advancing the energy agenda.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

UNDP is hopeful that through the current survey on electricity and panel discussion on energy with stakeholders, a platform can be created for further engagements and discussions on energy.

Raluca Eddon, Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP, Solomon Islands highlighted this last Friday at a panel discussion on “Pathways towards better electric power availability, affordability, and sustainability” at the Heritage Park Hotel.

“So, our hope is that through the survey, through the panel discussion, and going forward into the next year, we will create a platform foR engaging and discussing a critical barrier to development, and the need for accessible, affordable, and sustainable clean energy,” she said.

Eddon expressed that they hope that the panel discussion will really spark a discussion around Solomon Islands, about how a stronger energy sector can change lives.

Addressing the panelists, she said they would like them to really think of it as something that speaks to their minds and that as anyone who has been involved in campaigns, they should do it with their heart and gut.

“So, my last message to you is that we really would want you to think of this as something that speaks, of course, to your mind, but as any campaign, and as any of us who have been involved in campaigns will know, you campaign with your heart and you campaign with your gut.

“So, we will have succeeded when you feel the need to take the message to people and speak to their hearts, and take the importance of just participating, doing the small part, to the bigger discussion about the development of the country and of future generations,” she said.

Eddon also shared a quote from former United States President, John F Kennedy famously known as “JFK”.

“So, I will end with a quote, which most of you maybe are familiar with.

“It comes from President Kennedy, also a long-standing connection to the Solomon Islands. You will know that he was shipwrecked and then swam to Kennedy Island, but today is Kennedy Island, during the Second World War.  

“And so, he had this message for the people of his own country, and he said, think not what your country can do for you, think what you can do for your country,” she said.

Eddon voiced that today, what we all can do for Solomon Islands is to start filling out the survey.

At the panel. were experts who shared their views on energy and their perspectives of why it is important for energy to be accessible and their work regarding energy.

In attendance at this panel discussion, a first for both UNDP and MMERE (Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification) were; Chris Vehe, Permanent Secretary for MMERE, Delilah Homelo, CEO, Solomon Power, Qila Tuhanuku, representing the SICCI-Manufacturing Industry Working Group (MIWG), Peter Luke Iroga, Journalist and CEO of Solomon Islands Business Magazine and Casper Fa’asala, CEO, Disable Peoples of SI.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

A survey on “national energy planning” by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) and UNDP really needs everyone’s effort says, Raluca Eddon, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP in Solomon Islands.

She voiced this at a panel discussion on “Pathways towards better electric power availability, affordability, and sustainability” last Friday at the Heritage Park Hotel.

Currently underway, this survey as MMERE stated in a statement is to gather vital information for national energy planning.

Speaking about the survey, Eddon said there is good news and bad news.

She explained that the good news is that so far, they have reached about 10,000 people.

Eddon said while this is a significant number, their ambition is much bigger than this and they will not give up until the last moment.

The bad news on the other hand, is they have another 90,000 to go.

“We really need each and every one of you to make this effort, to take the survey, take the QR codes to your families, to your communities, to your villages, everywhere and anywhere that you can think of, any kind of networks,” she said.

Eddon mentioned that earlier on in the morning, they were talking about different possibilities, creative ways in which they can get people to answer.

“I hope that all of you have taken the survey, but if you haven’t, today is your chance,” she said.

Eddon mentioned that in the survey, you can either answer to questions in your name as an individual, as a community or as the head of a household.

Most importantly, she stressed that by taking this survey, it is a chance for people of Solomon Islands to shape policy.

“Perhaps, most important message is that this is a chance, really an extraordinary chance, I think, for the people of Solomon Islands to shape policy,” she said.

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UNDP and MMERE meets for the first time for electricity campaign

BY LORETTA B MANELE

UNDP and the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) came together for the first time not only for a panel discussion but to campaign for electricity.

Raluca Eddon, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP, Solomon Islands raised this at a panel discussion on “Pathways towards better electric power availability, affordability, and sustainability” on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Heritage Park Hotel.

“It is the first time that UNDP and the Ministry of Energy and Mines are coming together, not just for a panel discussion, but for a campaign,” she said.

In attendance were panelists representing MMERE, Solomon Power, SICCI, Media and Civil Society.

Eddon said this is a campaign that really looks at electricity, access to electricity and access to energy as an enabler of development.

Speaking of a survey on electricity that is currently underway by UNDP and MMERE, she stressed that this is actually the first time in the history of Solomon Islands that people are taking a self-administered survey.

“….and I think the results are really exciting.

“It is also, apart from the census, we believe the largest survey undertaken, certainly on this topic, to date,” she added.

Eddon highlighted that most importantly, through the survey, it is an opportunity to actively engage with the people of Solomon Islands.

She added that with the voices of ordinary people, they will see how the preliminary results are capturing some of these voices and the priorities that people are expressing.

Eddon said from UNDP, they would like for people to feel that this campaign is not just business as usual, but a campaign that we all have to participate in and hear what the people of Solomon Islands are thinking about access to power.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECMD) mandated law is vey important to progress government’s ambitions says the Ministry’s newly appointed Permanent Secretary, David Hiba Hiriasia.

He discussed this during a interview with local media on Friday, November 14, 2025.

When asked about how he felt stepping into his new position, Hiriasia expressed that he his happy to be back at the Ministry after almost a year.

With his new post, he looks forward to look at ways the ministry can work with stakeholders to improve MECDM’s mandated law.

Hiriasia said whether it’s a development or conservation or climate change, the mandated law of the Ministry is very important to progress ambitions of the government.

“Because even if we talk about development, you also need the safeguards. So, that’s how the Environment Ministry should function,” he said.

Hiriasia also voiced that there are gaps in the legislation, however some work is already in place for progression by the legislation.

“I understand that there is already work that has been done, especially on climate change and also the amendments to the Environmental Act, that hopefully should come in place and then help the Ministry to play a critical role in ensuring that there are safeguard measures in place,” he said.

Hiriasia, a who is a Meteorologist and Climate Scientist pointed out that personally, he feels that they should also look at strengthening environmental laws that are under the Ministry and link it to other relevant legislations from other ministries.

He added that capacity within ministries should also be considered.

“And then the capacity within the ministries. For me, it will be a priority to ensure that we also have the capacity to enforce the current legislations that we have,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Whilst there might be laws, there is lack of enforcement, says David Hiba Hiriasia, the new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM).

Speaking to the media recently, he stressed that lack of enforcement may relate to not having enough resources or capacities, an issue he says needs to be addressed to find solutions to the problems we have.

In regards to enforcement, Hiriasia spoke about lack of public servants from the Ministry in the provinces which may be due to the lack of manpower.

“For me, how I look at it, if you look at the arrangement of the Ministry at the moment, we don’t have much provincial presence there, probably due to lack of manpower,” he said.

Hiriasia highlighted that these are issues where the government can come to resolve by working with the public service and recruiting people to stay and work in the provinces.

He said at the moment, if you are going to complain about the environment, you have to come on your own as there is no presence of most divisions of the Ministry in the provinces.

“You only have med service and disaster that are present in the provinces,” said Hiriasia.

While he understands that some provincial governments have environmental and climate change officers here in the capital, he says strengthening partnership between the government and provinces is important.

“Whether we use the current arrangement or strengthen it or make a new one to ensure that people get services that are available all the time,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The rate of sea level rise in Solomon Islands is one of the highest in the world and almost three times the global average and this is something that needs to be looked into says David Hiba Hiriasia, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECMD).

The Meteorologist and Climate Scientist expressed this during a recent interview with local media.

“In terms of climate change, we have got some islands that are so badly affected by high levels of seas.

“We have one of the highest in the world. Our rate is almost three times the global average. So, it is something that we really need to look at,” he said.

Hiriasia stated that he understands that the current government has policies for relocation which sits with the Ministry of Lands.

He added that whether we relocate or whatnot, we have to look at the viable options we need to undertake to address the issue of sea level rise because sea level will continue to rise.

Moreover, Hiriasia mentioned that there is a new funding arrangement being discussed; loss and damage.

“These are some of the mechanisms that the government has to try and assist with,” he said.

Hiriasia added that it is something that should be tangible and that will really help people.

He said currently, people are probably aware of climate change funding.

“Currently, I think people are aware of the climate change funding. There is a lot of funding available.

In regards to this, he said there are things we can do to manage that such as prioritising where it is most vulnerable and what type of hazards are present in the vulnerable communities.

“And then do interventions where people really look at what benefits will happen,” he added.

Photo: Supplied

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Polycarp Paea received a briefing by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Esala Nayasi at the margins of COP30 in in Belém, Brazil.

A recent statement from MECDM says Paea heads the Solomon Islands delegation to the 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in Belém, Brazil.

Also stated is that as Solomon Islands is the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), thus, this briefing was important to provide the Minister with key updates on regional issues pertinent to the Forum’s priorities on climate change with regards to COP30.

To add on, Minister Paea was also briefed on updates of Australia’s bid to host COP31 in 2026.

“Minister Paea expressed his appreciation to the PIFS Deputy Secretary-General and his team and assured the Pacific Islands Forum of Solomon Islands’ continued support and leadership in amplifying regional priorities leading into COP30 negotiations,” said the statement.

Photo: MECDM

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Government to boost health development budget

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Government has pledged a major increase to the Health Development Budget as part of a renewed effort to upgrade ageing health infrastructure across the country.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele made the announcement during the official opening of the Konide Area Health Centre (AHC) last week, stating that the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) places the health and well-being of Solomon Islanders at the forefront of its national priorities.

Manele said his government remains committed to improve health facilities nationwide to lift the standard of care and strengthen medical services.

He highlighted the significant increase in the annual recurrent budget for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) — rising from around SBD$400 million in 2024 to approximately SBD$700 million in 2025, the largest such increase to date.

“I wish to remind us all that to be alive and in good health are basic human rights and gifts from God.

“These rights are enshrined in international conventions and recognised in our nation’s constitution. They underpin government policies and programmes,” he said.

Manele stressed that good health is essential for human development and societal progress, adding that the commissioning of the new Konide Health Centre represents a critical investment in safeguarding life.

He said health facilities play a vital role not only in treating illness but also in preventing disease and supporting health workers in delivering effective public and primary health care.

“Better health facilities are beacons of hope for the sick, where bodily ailments and suffering can be prevented and managed when they do occur,” Manele said.

He also highlighted the centre’s alignment with the national Role Delineation Policy; the health service delivery framework aimed at achieving universal health coverage.

“As an Area Health Centre, the new facility will be able to expand its services to include some critical functions that are currently only available in hospitals,” Manele added.

He said the long distance to Buala Provincial Hospital has contributed to delays in patient referrals, often resulting in adverse outcomes for people living in this part of Isabel Province.

Manele said the upgraded Konide AHC, will greatly improve timely access to essential care.

He said the opening of the new health centre marks an important milestone in the government’s broader agenda to strengthen health systems and ensure equitable access to quality health services across the country.

Photo: Press Secretariat, OPMC

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