BY NED GAGAHE

Premier of Central Islands Province Kenneth Sagupari says the executive government under his leadership continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to empowering the people of the province, with a particular focus on youth and student development.

As part of this commitment, the Premier, accompanied by the Provincial Secretary, attended the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) graduation ceremony held on September 11, 2025.

In a statement to Island Sun Premier Sagupari said his presence at this significant event was not merely ceremonial, it formed part of a broader initiative to identify and engage graduates from Central Province across various faculties.

Premier Sagupari highlighted the importance of recognising the talents and potential of young graduates.

“These young people are the future of Central Province. We must invest in them now to ensure a productive and sustainable public service in the years to come,” he said.

In line with this initiative, the Premier also confirmed that his office will be present at the upcoming University of the South Pacific (USP) Honiara-based graduation to continue the effort of identifying potential recruits and supporting youth career development.

“Our plan is clear, we are gradually transitioning towards a younger, more energetic workforce by retiring aging staff over time and creating opportunities for our young people to serve the province. While we acknowledge that recruitment is subject to public service procedures, our government will do its utmost to support our citizens through proper channels,” the Premier stated.

Sagupari said this forward-looking strategy is aligned with the broader vision of the Central Province Government to strengthen the local workforce and prepare for the ongoing discussions surrounding the Federal Government system.

“As we move towards greater provincial autonomy, empowering our own citizens becomes not just important, but essential. By investing in education and career pathways, we are laying the groundwork for a resilient, capable, and self-sufficient province,” the Premier added.

The Premier concluded with a strong call to action.

“Let us work together – government, families, and communities, to build a brighter, stronger Central Province. The future belongs to our youth, and we will stand with them every step of the way,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Pacific Security College has formally launched the official report from the 2025 Pacific Regional and National Security Conference (PRNSC).

It was unveiled during 54^th PIF Leaders Meeting Sideline Event “Building an Ocean of Peace through Strengthened Regional Integration” at the Aquatic Centre in Honiara on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

The report emphasises that the unity, values and leadership of the Pacific are crucial in tackling the region’s most urgent security issues.

In an interview with Island Sun, Professor Dave Peebles, director of the Pacific Security College, said that the 2025 Pacific Regional and National Security Conference (PRNSC) was held in Suva, Fiji, in July.

He said that it included 150 members from the security community, political leaders, regional and national officials, business representatives, civil society representatives, and academics.

“Everyone gathered to discuss how we could foster peace in the Pacific. The Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, said that the conference resembled a Shangri-La Dialogue for the Pacific,” he stated.

He said that the discussions at the Conference heavily focused on the concept of the “Ocean of Peace,” which the PIF Leaders have endorsed this week in Honiara.

“All attendees were contemplating what actions we need to take between now and 2050 to ensure that the Pacific becomes an ocean of peace in the forthcoming decades. Consequently, there were numerous valuable ideas regarding what we should pursue in the coming years and decades.

“There were two primary points emphasized by the participants. First, that the Ocean of Peace truly represents peace in the Pacific, focusing on Pacific security. Climate change is identified as the foremost issue. Human development is also crucial, encompassing various aspects of geopolitics. The second point highlighted was the deep yearning among the people for the Pacific to unite, fostering a closer familial bond so that by 2050, we can all exist within the Ocean of Peace,” he said.

He further elaborated that the report addresses Pacific-led security, the urgency of climate action, the fight against transnational crime, the enhancement of maritime security, inclusive human security, cybersecurity and ICT threats, the importance of cultural and traditional knowledge, gender and social inclusion, and the strengthening of regional architecture.

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BY BEN BILUA

FORUM Island Leaders have agreed to submit a bit to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of Parties.

In a statement on the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting’s communique, forum leaders recall the Boe Declaration on Regional Security and Kainaki II Declaration for Urgent Climate Change Action Now. 

It states, Forum Leaders reaffirm that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific and a critical barrier to achieving our Leaders’ Vision in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals globally. 

The statement call on all nations to urgently respond to the climate crisis. 

“We reaffirm the support of the Pacific Islands Forum for Australia’s bid for COP31 as a Pacific COP and our strong commitment to host this historic international engagement in 2026 to accelerate global action to set us on track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and its subsequent decisions.

“We commit to championing the needs of all countries impacted by climate change, particularly the most vulnerable, and to refocus global efforts on accelerating practical action and scaling-up support in line with the Paris Agreement and its first global stocktake, reiterating the vital importance of keeping 1.5C within reach. 

“We celebrate Pacific leadership in driving regional solutions to global challenges as demonstrated through the establishment of the Pacific Resilience Facility, which will be a decisive step forward in securing a resilient future for the Blue Pacific Continent,” the statement said.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the main international treaty that coordinates global efforts to combat climate change, aiming to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that prevents dangerous human interference with the climate system.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka has said the call to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius; as one of the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement, is not just a target but a lifeline.

The leader made the call when Pacific Island Leaders endorsed the Ocean of Peace Declaration during the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting that concluded yesterday in Honiara.

Rabuka described climate change as an “existential threat”, while Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, who is also the current chair of PIF and Secretary General of PIF Baron Waqa described climate change as the “single greatest threat in the region”.

Prime Minister Rabuka reaffirmed his call that the appeal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is not just a target—it is a lifeline.

“For us, this is neither about politics, nor a mere scientific debate. It is a matter of survival, and our survival is not negotiable.

“As Leaders, we have stood long at the forefront of the fight for environmental justice, a fight that has become all the more urgent in the face of rising seas and increasingly severe climatic events.

“Yet, despite our collective efforts, the lack of meaningful action by the world’s highest emitters continues to put our very existence at risk.

“This is not merely a failure of leadership—it is a profound injustice that we will not tolerate. The era of empty promises and half measures are behind us,” he said.

Rabuka echoed that the Pacific demands honest commitments to real, concrete action that confronts the climate crisis with the urgency and determination it requires.

“In this, we need more than accessibility to climate financing. We need longer term funding that is meaningful to the reality of our island situations, many of whom have gone past mitigation,” he said.

On that note, the leader emphasized the crucial need for PIF to put in place rules or guidelines for order, justice and peace in the region and the world.

And “ours is to embrace and promote the multilateral system that ensures their applicability and continuity, without which indecency and chaos will rule.

“Emerging trends and patterns of diluting this global rule-based order is of utmost concern for small states like us, thus the need for unity and solidarity on our part,” he said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

In a landmark step for regional ocean conservation, Temotu Province and Vanuatu’s Torba Province have jointly announced the creation of a transboundary Marine Protected Area (MPA) spanning more than 374,000 square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean.

The announcement was made during a high-level side event on “Finalising Maritime Boundaries and Advancing 100% Ocean Management”, held as part of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Honiara on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Premier Stanley Tehiahua of Temotu Province and President Edgar Haward of Torba Province delivered powerful speeches at the event, underscoring the importance of cross-border cooperation and community-led stewardship of the ocean.

“Temotu may be remote, but our message is strong. With Torba, we will keep the Melanesian Corridor alive as a bridge of friendship and responsibility, for our people, our nations, and our Blue Pacific home,” Premier Tehiahua said.

The initiative builds upon the historic 2016 Maritime Boundary Treaty signed on Mota Lava, and the Tirvau Agreement of 2024, which formalised shared ocean governance between the two Melanesian provinces. Far from dividing the nations, these agreements have become tools to bring them closer — turning borders into bridges and shared seas into spaces of mutual care.

“These treaties and agreements do not divide us; they bring us closer together. They turn boundaries into bridges, and shared seas into shared responsibility,” President Haward added

The transboundary MPA is intended to address growing concerns over marine degradation, reef damage, and declining fish stocks that have affected both provinces.

Premier Tehiahua reflected personally on these challenges.

“When I was a child, people went fishing with just a hook and line and came back with plenty. Today, the catch is smaller, the fish fewer, and the reefs weaker. My children cannot see the same abundance that I once knew,” he said.

In response, Temotu has already begun setting up conservation buffers around its islands to allow the ocean to heal. Together with Torba, the provinces will now implement shared management plans across their adjoining waters, promoting sustainable use, traditional marine knowledge, and biodiversity protection.

The announcement has been welcomed by Pacific leaders and ocean advocates as a model for regional cooperation on 100% ocean management — a key goal of the Pacific Islands Forum’s Blue Pacific Continent strategy.

The transboundary MPA is expected to strengthen food security, enhance ecosystem resilience, and reinforce ancestral ties rooted in kastom, (custom) exchange, and shared stewardship.

As small island communities face increasing pressures from climate change, overfishing, and rising sea levels, the united leadership of Temotu and Torba demonstrates that local action can drive global impact.

“This is not just about policy, it’s about protecting the ocean that has fed us, guided us, and connected us for generations,” said Premier Tehiahua.

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BY BEN BILUA

THE 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting has ended successfully in Honiara on Friday, September 12, 2025.

The weeklong event brought together regional leaders to discuss pressing issues and opportunities on bringing peace, security and economic development in the pacific region.

Under the theme “Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent”, leaders engaged in series of dialogue with Civil Society Organisations, Private Sector and Head of Civil Society Organisation in the Pacific.

Leaders also took time to strengthen cooperations between countries by signing security and trade arrangements.

Key events that took place during the meeting were; the implementation of 2050 Strategy, Review of the Regional Artitechture, the signing of the Pacific Resilience Facility and the endorsement of the Ocean of Peace Declaration.

On Thursday this week, leaders flew to Munda, Western Province for the Forum Leaders Retreat and returned to Honiara on Friday, September 12, 2025 for the Troika press conference.

Opening the Troika press conference, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, General Secretary Baron Divavesi Waqa acknowledges the government and people of Solomon Islands for hosting the regional event.

He also acknowledges regional leaders for their contribution in series of meetings which took place during the week.

In his speech Forum Chair, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said the forum reflected deeply on regional priorities, reaffirmed regional unity and agreed on clear actions that will help guide the Blue Pacific Continent through increasing complex and challenging strategic environment.

He said leaders had the opportunity to meet with numbers of key stakeholders in the pacific including the representatives from the private sector, civil society organisation, head of CROP agencies and Associate members.

Manele said forum leaders have agreed to a communique which outlines important agendas and recommendations for respective countries in the region to implement.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Leaders from the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in the 2025 PIF Communique have called on states and non-states to take on six key actions.

This is according to the 54th PIF Leaders Communique which was shared during a press conference on Friday, September 12, 2025.

At the press conference was the PIF Secretary General, Baron Waqa and the Troika members which refers to the former Chair of PIF, the current Chair and the incoming Chair.

The former PIF Chair is Tongan PM, Aisake Eke, current Chair is Solomon Islands PM, Jeremiah Manele and on behalf of incoming Chair, Palau was their Foreign Minister Gustav Aitaro.

Moreover, in the 2025 PIF Communique, the first of six key actions PIF leaders call on states and non-states to take on is to engage with the Blue Pacific Continent in a manner that honours the Pacific way, respects national sovereignty of all PIF members and supports national and Pacific-led approaches including through Forum-endorsed mechanisms to safeguard Pacific peace and security.

Secondly, states and non-states are called to support the integration and advancement of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace by respecting its principles and aligning all engagement with the Pacific’s vision for peace.

Third in line is the call for support for Blue Pacific Continent in strengthening the conditions for peace to thrive.

“Through long-term investment in inclusive and resilient development that upholds national ownership, fosters stable governance and builds Pacific capacity and capability to sustain lasting peace for all Pacific peoples, including the role of women in peace building”, said the statement.

In fourth place, PIF leaders call on states and non-states to recognise the special needs and circumstances of Small Islands Developing States and their vulnerabilities.

In addition is the call for states and non-states to promote the responsible use of technology and innovation.

Lastly, the PIF leaders call for states and non-states to join the Blue Pacific Continent in taking bold, decisive and transformative action through the Paris Agreement and other relevant mechanisms to limit global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

On this note, the leaders state that recognising this is crucial to the peace and security of the Blue Pacific Continent.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka has urged colleague leaders in the Pacific to serve the region by learning and carrying on from good work done by past leaders to mentoring the new generation of leaders.

The legacies of dedication and selfishness they had invested in leading the region are the very spirit to which upon the 2050 Strategy for Blue Pacific Continent was formulated.

Speaking at the ceremony to formally endorse the Ocean of Peace declaration during the PIF meeting that concluded in Honiara yesterday, Hon Sitiveni Rabuka shared some of common challenges faced by leadership in the region.  

“I’ve had the privilege of serving in the political leadership arena on various occasions over the last three decades.

“As I look around, I am very aware of my place in the age calculus. For many of us, our journey went through the lowest of places where we saw the darkest side of the human heart (conflicts and battlefields) to the brightest and highest offices of the land.

“We have heard the best of melodies, for which our region is renowned, and the pain that inspired our words and songs.

“On the way, we had tried to avoid fires, but they ended up the very instrument that shaped and defined us,” he said.

Rabuka emphasized that lessons leaders had learned were not just for them, but meant to be shared as they carry the weight of these experiences with a profound sense of duty.

“We’re here to offer a steady hand and a guiding voice, drawn from years of shaping and re-shaping by “the One in whom we live and move and have our being.

“Those before us had fulfilled their duties. We, the present generation, stand on their shoulders.

“They had the luxury of trial and error, of testing and piloting ideas, they had the benefit of doubt as they transitioned our region.

“Today, our societies are less forgiving in the best of times, as their demands for rights, transparency, accountability are ruthlessly pursued,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that as they navigate the uncertainties before them, they must commit to ensuring that the next generation of leaders is equipped to face the fights of their lives with courage and integrity.

“Honouring the legacies of those who were before us can only be demonstrated by leading with the same dedication and selflessness they themselves invested in their time.

“These are the bases upon which the very spirit and intentions of the 2050 Strategy for our Blue Pacific Continent were formulated,” he said.

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