BY LORETTA B MANELE

Climate budgeting reform is an ongoing commitment of the Solomon Islands government at country level, says Roy Mae, Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC).

He discussed this during a panel session at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting Side Event “Unpacking Resilience-Strengthening Systems, Capacities and Practical Solutions” yesterday.

Mae said climate budget, simply, is a galvanized process of identification, measurement, and monitoring of climate and environmental expenditure.

Meanwhile, he said that the reform is to strengthen coordination between the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of National Planning and Ministry of Finance in leading government agencies to make a response to climate change.

The aim of this reform as said is to improve the country’s capacity to address climate change finance as well as to strengthen planning and public spending.

He explained that in terms of the role of the Ministry of Planning, one of the main mandates are the preparation of national development plans, middle-tier plans, as well as the annual development budget.

Speaking of national development plans, Mae said at the moment there is a 20-year National Development Strategy 2016-2035 which includes components like; sustainable and inclusive economic growth, poverty alleviation, access to social services like education and health, and the important ones are resilience, environment, sustainable development, and the last one is good governance and unity.

“In terms of the middle-tier plan, we have the middle-tier strategy in place as a vehicle for implementing the national development strategy, and on an annual basis, we have the development budget that will be used to fund projects and programs in sectors and line ministries,” he added.

Mae emphasised that from this process, there is an opportunity to integrate climate budget targeting to ensure that resilience priorities are mainstreamed across sectors and government ministries when preparing the development programs, as well as development projects.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY LORETTA B MANELE

This year’s 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting’s theme “Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent” is a powerful call to action.

Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), Rex Ramofafia made the statement when he spoke at one of PIF’s Side Events called “Unpacking Resilience- Strengthening Systems, Capacities and Practical Solutions” on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

“It’s a powerful call to action and it reminds us that our survival and prosperity depends on our unity and ability to build coherence across our region,” he said.

Ramofafia added that at the heart of this call to action, lies resilience.

On this note, he said it is not an optional item and it must be the core principle of everything that they do.

“Across our blue Pacific nation leading the way by getting the integration of mixed informed development into governance, planning and service delivery,” said Ramofafia.

He voiced that this is about a transformative shift from merely responding to disaster to proactively shaping a resilient future.

“We are sending a message, especially a proactiveness to our people in bringing behaviour and improving our readiness for vulnerability that we face,” said the Minister.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY BEN BILUA

PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has sent his greetings to the government and people of Papua New Guinea ahead of their 50th Independence Anniversary.

Speaking during the signing of Security Agreement with his counterpart James Marape, Manele said Papua New Guinea has reached another milestone worth celebrating.

He said 50th years of independence is not just a celebration but a golden anniversary and a milestone not only for PNG but for the entire pacific family.

Manele said PNG’s Golden Anniversary is a testament of shared struggles and triumphs that shape the region.

“It inspires us to continue working together for the next fifty years.

“On behalf of the government and people of Solomon Islands, I wish to thank the government of PNG for the partnership and good will that have brought us to this moment.

“May this framework serve as a foundation for deeper cooperation, stronger border communities, and enduring friendship between our two countries,” he said.

This year, Papua New Guinea will celebrate its 50 years of independence, a journey that began in 1975 when country became a sovereign nation.

It is a time to honour our past, recognise our achievements, and recommit ourselves to the ideals that our founding fathers envisioned: unity, progress, and prosperity for all.

In a statement released earlier this month, Marape calls on his people to unite as one people, one nation, with a shared vision for the future.

“Let the drumbeats of our kundu resonate across the land, and let the vibrant colors of our bilums reflect our pride and hope.

“Together, we will write the next chapter of Papua New Guinea’s history—a chapter of progress, unity, and opportunity for all,” he said.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY LORETTA B MANELE

The establishment of the Pacific Resilient Facility is vital thus, the focus now pivots towards sustainable ground investment, says Rex Ramofafia, Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC).

He stressed this whilst delivering opening remarks at a Side Event of the 54th PIF Meeting called, “Unpacking Resilience-Strengthening Systems, Capacities and Practical Solutions” on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

The Pacific Resilience Facility which was signed by 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 is to help people in the Pacific who are the most vulnerable to risks of climate change and disaster.

Ramofafia said our focus now pivots towards ground investment.

“We must channel climate and disaster risk financing into projects that build adaptive capacity, protect lives, safeguard livelihoods and create pathways to prosperity,” he said.

Ramofafia also stated that they must also move from financing resilience in theory to building it in concrete reality, especially in rural areas.

The minister gave three important key messages.

Speaking on the first one, he pointed out that mainstream resilience is not a choice but a necessity.

“Our national and sectoral planning and budget cycle are the most critical windows for this integration,” said Ramofafia.

Second to this, he said we must invest in data inclusive community engagement.

“This ensures our planning and resources allocation is driven by sound evidence, allowing us to anticipate and respond to risk proactively,” said Ramofafia.

The third key message he stressed on is that regional platforms like the Pacific Resilient Facility must be leveraged to mobilise climate resilient risk financing that is bound to our unique context and specific need of national system.

The Minister noted that the Side Event is a shared space to learn and discuss common challenges.

“This event is a shared space for our peer learning, a place to discuss our common challenges and to share the innovative approach we are developing to strengthen our resilience and secure a prosperous future,” he said.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director-General, Noan David Pakop has highlighted the strategic importance of fisheries and the collective role of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) in safeguarding the Pacific’s tuna resources.

Pakop stressed this when he spoke to the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) during the PIF Leaders dialogue on Tuesday this week under the session “Political Leadership & Regionalism and Peace & Security”.

He told CROP leaders that the Blue Pacific Continent spans over 30 million square kilometres and over 20 percent of the world’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).

“Within it, tuna is our region’s common currency – sustaining government revenues, livelihoods, food security, and employment. These benefits are only secure when we work together, upholding maritime sovereignty and exercising vigilance against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” Pakop said.

He said that the Pacific remains the only region in the world where all four major tuna stocks – skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore – are biologically healthy.

He urged leaders to extend MCS frameworks to the high seas, strengthen investment in technology and data sharing, as well as coordinated enforcement – and integrate fisheries surveillance into broader regional security frameworks.

“By resourcing our joint surveillance and staying united, we will ensure that our Blue Pacific fisheries continue to underpin resilience, security, and sustainable development for generations to come,” he said.

He said that losses reduced from US$152 million in 2016 to US$43 million in 2021 is due to strong results in tackling Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Whilst celebrating progress, Pakop reminded leaders of the pressing challenges facing the region like climate change, shifting tuna distribution, economic pressures, and continuing IUU fishing activities.

“The progress we have made tells us one thing – working together makes us stronger. As we look to the future, the FFA remains committed to ensuring our tuna legacy benefits Pacific people first and foremost. Let us continue to work together, innovate together, and lead the world in sustainable fisheries management – for our people, our ocean, and our future, Iumi Tugeda, as one Blue Pacific,” said Pakop.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

Finance Minister called out for ‘compromising country’s national security for sake of processes’ over sufferance ports issue

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The sufferance wharves issue is seeing a rift in government as one side is calling the new finance minister Trevor Manemahaga out for ‘failing the country big time’.

“He is compromising national security for the sake of a so-called cabinet process,” government insiders who request anonymity told Island Sun yesterday.

“The recent clarification by Minister Manemahaga regarding the review of wharves, while emphasising due process, fails to address the most critical issue – the illegal operation and direct threat to national security posed by the continued use of Goodwood and Penguin wharves for international cargo,” the government insiders said.

Manemahaga has not responded to questions sent to him via the Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat office.

The Minister had told a press conference on Wednesday this week that a special committee was endorsed by a Cabinet directive on June 3, 2025.

However, the extension of its deadline from two weeks to the end of October—a delay of over four months—is highly suspicious, the government insiders said.

“This delay conveniently allows ships for the companies using these wharves to arrive and unload; creating an undeniable perception that government policy is being manipulated for private commercial benefit over national interest.”

It is a matter of public record that the Government has officially approved only three facilities as international ports – Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), Noro Port and Leroy Wharf.

“However, the government’s deliberate inaction is particularly alarming concerning Goodwood and Penguin,” the government insiders said.

“The continued operation of Goodwood and Penguin wharves in unloading international cargo is a direct violation of our national laws and a clear and present threat to our national security.

“Unlike the three approved and compliant facilities, these two suffrage wharves critically and unlawfully lack – valid business licence to operate as an international port facility; environment development consent, raising serious concerns about the environmental impact of their operations; adequate Capacity, lacking the specialised equipment to handle cargo safely; ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) Certification. This is not an optional guideline; it is a mandatory international requirement designed to prevent security threats like smuggling, terrorism, and illegal trafficking. Operating without it is reckless and leaves our nation’s borders dangerously exposed,” the government insiders said.

“Allowing these wharves to function is a blatant breach of national and international law. It is the equivalent of allowing unlicensed and unregulated airports to handle international flights while ignoring the official, compliant international airport.”

Call for Manemahaga and cabinet to be transparent

The government insiders say they are leveling the playing field with the finance minister by using media to call him and the cabinet out to be answerable to the public.

“The new Finance Minister and the Government must provide immediate and transparent answers to the following;

“By what legal authority are Goodwood and Penguin wharves permitted to receive international ships when they are not designated international ports and lack mandatory ISPS certification? This is a fundamental breach of national security protocol.

“Can the government publicly produce the Business License, Environment Development Consent, and ISPS compliance certificates for Goodwood and Penguin Wharves? If they cannot, their operation is illegal and should be halted.

“Why is the government facilitating a four-month delay that directly benefits illegal operations, to the detriment of the officially approved and compliant ports (SIPA, Noro, and Leeroy)?

“What action will be taken against the government agencies and ministers who are allowing this illegal activity and national security threat to continue?” the government insiders said.

Sufferance wharves risk Solomons trade

This week, one of the country’s certified Regional Security Organisation (RSO) officers took to social media to question finance minister Manemahaga’s decision which is seen as going against logic and international and national laws.

“Sufferance ports are landing places where cargo may occasionally be discharged, but they lack the full security, customs, and safety facilities required for international shipping. While these ports may provide convenience for local trade, they also expose the Solomon Islands to serious risks in terms of national security, international trade, and government revenue,” the RSO said.

“If a port is not ISPS-compliant, international vessels may refuse to dock, or cargo originating from that port may be treated as high-risk by other countries under ISPS Code Part A, Section 7 on Security Levels. This undermines the credibility of our maritime trade system and puts Solomon Islands’ exports and imports at a disadvantage.”

Manemahaga praises sufferance wharves

At a press conference on Tuesday this week Minister Manemahaga praised sufferance wharves as ‘critical to the economy’ saying they contribute to lowering prices of goods and services, and supporting competition in the country by ‘preventing monopolistic pricing’.

Ports Authority and Leroy international wharves have gaps in their capacities which sufferance wharves help alleviate with the ‘growing trend of trade that we are undertaking’, Manemahaga said.

He made example of break-bulk cargoes including cement.

Manemahaga said cabinet had resolved on June 3 this year to set up a special committee to review the use of sufferance wharves.

However, the former finance minister suspended sufferance wharves before a committee was formed, thus had not followed due process, Manemahaga implied.

Manemahaga added that sufferance wharves, contrary to widely held beliefs, comply with the government’s regulations.

“I must say that sufferance wharves observe all the compliance processes, including customs and biosecurity processes.

“For example, before the ship ports the advance cargo manifest arrives ahead and customs receives it. The process is there, being followed. And, when the ship arrives, inspectors board the ship, the customs, the biosecurity and other relevant authorities board the ship and carry out their checks.

“The payment of all applicable taxes and fees and other charges are done before unloading at the sufferance wharves. So due process is being followed there,” Manemahaga said.

A special taskforce to review sufferance wharves

Minister Manemahaga said he has set up a taskforce to review the issue of sufferance wharves and submit a report to him before the end of October with its findings.

“I’ve instructed my officials to set up the taskforce immediately to look into the issue of sufferance wharves, and the committee’s first meeting occurred at 10am today.

“And the committee members, comprise of a number of different people from various ministries and government authorities. So I expect the committee to do their review and findings and expect them to report back to me before end of October.

“And then I will bring that report to Cabinet to make the final decision on sufferance wharves. And that will also, let me make it clear, not only the sufferance wharves, but also including the Leroy wharf. So the task of the committee will cover both sufferance wharves and Leroy wharf,” Manemahaga said.

Background

Sufferance wharves are seen as hotspots for government’s revenue loss due to non-compliance and also the inability of Customs to adequately monitor these wharves’ activities.

On August 21, 2025 former finance minister Harry Kuma ordered the suspension of use of all sufferance wharves for unloading of imported goods.

Nine days later Mr Kuma was kicked out of the finance portfolio and reshuffled to the ministry of Commerce, Labour and Immigration (MCILI).

Manemahaga, MP for Gao-Bugotu, became the new finance minister. And, on September 4 Manemahaga revoked the suspension order.

The former finance minister’s reasons for suspending the sufferance wharves as stated in the August-21 letter include:

“Serious concerns by the Ministry’s management and relevant authorities, including the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority regarding the Custom Division’s limited capacity to adequately monitor imports at these facilities (sufferance wharves).

“Additionally, some sufferance wharves have been found to be non-compliant with international ship and port facility security (ISPS) standards, posing risks to national trade and revenue collection.”

The letter directed that all imported goods must only be unloaded at the following declared international seaports:

-SIPA International Seaport, Honiara

-Noro International Seaport

-Leroy Wharf International Seaport, Ranadi (East Honiara)

The letter added that ‘all existing permits authorising the unloading of imported goods at any sufferance wharf in the country’ were hereby cancelled.

The suspension did not apply to loading of round logs and mineral-related products for export at the sufferance wharves.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]