BY RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Tilapia farmers in the south region of Malaita province call for more training and support to overcome challenges they faced during their recent Mozambique tilapia harvest on September 24, 2025.

The Usunione farmers, who began their tilapia farming journey last year in September, say they need more skills and knowledge to improve their operations and ensure future success.

Senior Fisheries Officer Mathew Isihanua said the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has a key role to play in providing training that will help farmers boost their expertise.

“Training is greatly needed by these tilapia farmers. This can help and support them to broaden their knowledge and farming skills,” he said.

He explained that after harvesting the bigger fish, farmers transfer smaller fingerlings into new ponds to continue the cycle.

The recent harvest at Usunione has drawn attention from surrounding communities, with many expressing interest in starting their own tilapia farms.

“The harvesting has attracted many community members nearby, and they have shown great interest in tilapia farming,” said Isihanua.

Looking forward, he confirmed that Usunione farmers will be recommended to receive Nile Tilapia fingerlings when the new species is imported to Solomon Islands soon.

Isihanua encourages more rural farmers to venture into tilapia farming and promises to offer support whenever resources allow.

“I encourage more rural farmers to start tilapia farming. We will try our best to visit and support you when funds are available,” he said.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele speaking at United Nations General Assembly last week, sounded the alarm on climate change as an unrelenting danger hammering the Pacific region.

In his address Manele painted the crisis as a “multiplier” that’s reshaping destinies worldwide.

Drawing on stark data, PM Manele highlighted the World Meteorological Organization’s report naming 2024 as the hottest year ever recorded – a grim milestone that’s derailing the 1.5°C warming limit set in the Paris Agreement.

For the Solomon Islands, a nation with one of the smallest carbon footprints on the planet, the PM proudly noted the country’s bold “Net Positive” third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Yet, he stressed that more can be achieved through global teamwork, including funding for reforestation, forest protection, and shifting to renewable energy sources.

“We need bold, immediate steps to steer us back to that 1.5°C path,” PM Manele declared.

He called out major polluters and nations with deep historical emissions to step up and slash their outputs decisively.

PM Manele also pushed back against recent skepticism aired at the UN.

“The science is crystal clear on climate change, and my people are living the painful reality of it every day,” he stressed.

Manele also highlighted that strong endorsement of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) groundbreaking Advisory Opinion on climate change, delivered on July 23, 2025.

Prompted by a UN General Assembly resolution (77/276), the ruling tackled two key issues.

One is on states’ legal duties under international law to shield the climate from damaging greenhouse gases, with a focus on fairness across generation and the other issue is the fallout for countries whose neglect harms the planet, especially vulnerable spots like Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

These SIDS including the Solomons, bear the brunt of rising seas and extreme weather despite their tiny emissions.

The opinion also covers duties to affected people, communities, and future generations whose rights to life and livelihoods hang in the balance.

“Solomon Islands warmly welcomes this historic ICJ decision and backs the push for a follow-up UN resolution,” PM Manele told the UN assembly.

He emphasized that nations now face ironclad responsibilities to avert damage, work together, and safeguard rights for today and tomorrow.

These aren’t just ethical calls – they’re enforceable laws holding countries accountable for ending destructive habits, avoiding repeats, and making amends for the harm done.

The PM also stressed on the growing crisis of climate-induced displacement, where whole villages face losing their ancestral lands.

The ICJ’s ruling reinforces the non-refoulement principle, barring any nation from sending people back to zones where climate threats make life untenable.

“This is a vital shield for rights to life, food, water, and livable homes,” he said.

For SIDS, it’s a matter of survival, underscoring that climate duties are “erga omnes”– owed to everyone, everywhere, calling for shared global action.

Dismissing attempts to confine these obligations to the Paris Agreement alone, the ICJ affirmed broader legal grounds like human rights, maritime law, and customary international rules.

It declared the 1.5°C goal legally binding which insists big emitters can’t dodge blame (even non-Paris signatories), and warns of repercussions for violations – from reparations for damages to scrutiny over fossil fuel reliance, handouts, and use.

For Pacific atolls on the front lines, the opinion offers real hope and validation. It guarantees that even if oceans swallow shorelines, island nations’ sovereignty and sea boundaries will persist.

“This isn’t just legalese, it’s a rallying cry for the world to unite in upholding 1.5°C, shielding the weakest, and forging a fair, enduring tomorrow for all,” PM Manele stated.

In closing, the Prime Minister tipped his hat to Vanuatu’s trailblazing role and the relentless drive of Pacific youth in championing this cause.

“Their passion has amplified our plight globally, proving the Pacific’s power is in our solidarity,” he said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has called on global leaders to uphold international peace and security, as the world continues to increase militarised posture.

Addressing global leaders during the 80th Session of the United Nation General Assembly, he appealed for focus on development agenda and to reverse non-peaceful trend that has been witnessed globally. 

“We meet at a moment of profound uncertainty – marked by deepening conflicts, armed aggression, widening inequalities, and the growing disregard for international law.

“The erosion of the UN Charter’s principles, the alarming return of unilateralism threatens the very foundation of our multilateral system.

“We note with deep concern that the world is now over armed, spending less on the development agenda and increasingly adopted a militarized posture.

“We need to halt and reverse these non-peaceful trends,” Manele said.

Prime Minister Manele announced to the world the “Ocean of Peace Declaration” adopted by Pacific leaders at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leader (PIFL) meeting held in Honiara early this month.

The goal of the declaration is to free Pacific region from nuclear weapons, militarization, trafficking of illicit drugs and geopolitical posturing.

“We seek a region free from nuclear weapons, militarization, trafficking of illicit drugs and geopolitical posturing.

“My subregion recently adopted the Ocean of Peace Declaration. It is rooted in the Pacific’s collective history and culture.

“It is our collective vision for a resilient, peaceful, and prosperous Blue Pacific continent. 

“We reclaim our sovereignty, support multilateralism and a rules based international order grounded on international law,” he said.

In the meantime, Manele also told world leaders on the country’s milestone signing of the “Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.”

He mentioned that this week Solomon Islands signed onto the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, noting that 380 humanitarian personnel paid the ultimate sacrifice last year.

“It is our collective responsibility to respect international humanitarian law, protect the safety of humanitarian personnel and civilians and instil accountabilities for all in disaster and war zones,” Manele said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Solomon Islands assures close cooperation with the United Nation Commission on the limits of the Continental Shelf.

This international treaty established sovereign rights for coastal states to explore the natural resources of the seabed and subsoil of the continental shelf of their coast.

Speaking at the 80th Session of the United Nation General Assembly, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, highlighted the submissions made by the country to UN Commission on the limits of Continental Shelf.   

He said the Solomon Islands is an archipelagic state and it shares maritime border with five neighbouring countries.

“Earlier this year, Solomon Island made two continental shelf submissions to the United Nations Commission on the limits of the Continental Shelf.

“A bilateral submission with Fiji concerning the Melanesian Border Plateau and a trilateral submission with Fiji and Vanuatu for the North Fiji Basin.

“Solomon Islands looks forward to engaging constructively with the Commission on these matters in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect,” Manele stated. 

On the same note, he appealed to accelerate negotiation to finalize the binding treaty on plastic pollution to protect the world’s ocean.

PM Manele highlighted this, as the disturbing rate of pollution continues to put the ocean and its inhabitant in jeopardy.

“The alarming rate of pollution in the ocean is endangering marine life and the ocean’s health. We have banned the use of certain single-use of plastic in 2023. 

“But we remain very concerned that negotiations on a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution has stalled.

“We have a collective interest to finalize the treaty and protect our ocean,” he said. 

Moreover, Manele mentioned that on deep sea mining, the Solomon Islands is taking a precautionary approach and has placed a moratorium on it.

He however said, the country supports a regional approach on deep sea mining as agreed by Forum Leaders early this month.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Health officials have been urged to refocus approaches when implementing the national healthy setting resolutions.

Deputy Premier of Western Province, Brian Lotikena emphasised that targets should be on the root cause of health issues rather than clinical approaches.

He said spending more funds of promotions and conferences cannot solve the country’s health issues.

Lotikena stressed that more support should go towards how to create an environment that promotes healthy lifestyle in homes, communities, work places and churches.

He said the Healthy Setting initiative is a brilliant framework to encourage not only bottom-up approach but also inclusive if implemented perfectly.

“The Healthy Island setting initiative is akin to taking the fight to the root causes of our health issues rather than waiting for people to get sick and then addressing their illnesses at the hospital.

“This is perfect because we are taking a preventative approach where we create environments and settings in our homes, communities, work spaces, churches, and so forth, that deter sickness.

“It is less costly, very practical and once our populace becomes used to it, it becomes a healthy lifestyle.

“This in my view, is a more sustainable approach because we are targeting habits, behavior and mindsets,” Lotikena said.

He acknowledges the government and donor partners for supporting the National Healthy Setting Conference.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

The Deputy Premier of Western Province urges health professionals to embrace change and take responsibility to shape a better future.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the National Healthy Setting Conference in Gizo last week, Brian Lotikena said the country’s progress depends on the willingness of leaders and citizens to transform lessons learned into practical actions.

He challenges them to shift community mindsets through health interventions, education, and sustainable planning.

Lotikena said a proactive approach is vital in addressing the country’s health challenges.

“It is time to leave behind regrets and fears of uncertainty,” he said.

Lotikena reminded participants that the strategies, plans, and interventions developed during the conference are only the beginning of long-term work that requires commitment.

He added that the conference outcomes now demand action on the ground, calling for cooperation among health professionals, communities, and government institutions.

“I would like to emphasize here that this past week has been one where we are looking at ways and means to create a better, brighter, and sustainable future for our children and their children. The best way to predict the future is to create it. Let’s create a better and brighter future for Solomon Islands,” Lotikena said.

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