BY LORETTA B MANELE
The Minister of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Cathy Nori has encouraged youths to be champions and leaders in sustainable development.
She gave the encouragement whilst speaking as the guest speaker at a trade fair organised by youths from Central Guadalcanal constituency themed “Communities for Sustainability Eco-Tourism and Development Fair”.
Nori stressed that they are gathered at a critical time where our nation and in particular, youths, face significant socio-economic challenges.
“We all see, when we look around, we see a lot of youths in this country, 70% of our population in this country is youth, and that youth is the age between 15 and 34 years old,” she said.
In this regard, she shared an important message to the youths of Central Guadalcanal.
“You are ready to be architects of your future. You are champions of your culture and leaders in sustainable development. It is with utmost pride that I say this,” said Nori.
She also stated that Central Guadalcanal is the economic heartbeat of our nation.
Nori added that Central Guadalcanal is not only host to our international airport but also caters to other developments like the Tina Hydro Project, forestry and mining.
She pointed out there is vast agricultural potential for this constituency highlighting the trade fair as one example.
“The trade fair is one platform that can show the incredible richness of Central Guadalcanal to the country and the world.
“It is also about connecting our vital national industries with the grassroots innovation of the community, said Nori.
She voiced that it is also about connecting our vital national industries with the grassroots innovation of the community.
“So, we are here to celebrate everything that makes this constituency unique. From our cultural heritage, all the activities that we are doing, weaving, the custom stories, and the tatalonga. And to our entrepreneurial spirit and our breathtaking ecotourism sites from Parangiju,” said Nori.
In further remarks, she voiced that the most inspiring part about the trade fair is it being a youth centered initiative.
“To you, the young leaders of this event, we would like to acknowledge the hard work of the youth.
“I understand you have a committee. And I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the youth,” said the minister.

BY LORETTA B MANELE
A challenge that we have in Guadalcanal Province is that 70 percent of the population of Solomon Islands are youths says Guadalcanal Premier, William Atu.
He was speaking at the “Communities for Sustainability Eco-Tourism and Development Fair” at Henderson.
Addressing guests that included spouses of the 54th PIF Leaders at the Central Guadalcanal youth-led initiative trade fair, Atu stressed that the figure is more than half of the percent of youths in the country.
“So, we have challenges with us as well. What are we going to do with our youths?”, he asked.
The Premier stated that the challenge now is looking at how we can provide services to the communities in Guadalcanal.
“The population is going to be the highest for the whole of the Solomon Islands for that matter,” he said.
Atu expressed that through such initiatives as the trade fair, they are empowering youths to become fearless and a stronger person in their communities.
Island Sun understands that youths from Central Guadalcanal were involved in organising the trade fair.
He mentioned that Central Guadalcanal constituency holds two important developments in the country of which one is the Gold Ridge mining and the other, timber or mining.
Atu noted that the environmental effects will be there past the lifetime of the mine.
“So, I would like to re-echo the words again, to reiterate the point, that the ecosystem is more important for the lives of people here in the Solomon Islands for that matter,” he said.

BY LORETTA B MANELE

The 54th PIF Spouses Programme yesterday included a visit to Amazing Grace Boutique Cocoa Farm at Tenaru.
This trip started with a tour of the Amazing Grace Boutique Cocoa Farm, by owner Grace Fekau who shared her story about bringing her cocoa farm into existence from small endeavours to what it is now.

The spouses were then led on further up from the cocoa farm where they walked through an array of plants, trees and flowers before taking a short break with fresh coconuts.
In front of them was the cocoa shed to which they entered and saw first hand cocoa beans in the drying process.

Mrs Fekau then led them to her garden which included more than one crop and trees that bear nuts and those called “shade trees”.
The women were fascinated by the flowers, plants and trees and the garden.
Then came the last part of the trip which was island style lunch at the Amazing Grace Tropical Garden which consists of a dining house, small huts outside and a green scenery complimented with a beach upfront.

There, they had the opportunity to see cocoa beans being crushed by a lady and later, a chocolate tasting session of Ms Fekau’s chocolate which she stresses is sugar free.
This trip left a lasting impression on the spouses.

BY LORETTA B MANELE
Divided by the vast ocean but connected with similar traditions and culture through food and way of life, the spouses of the 54th PIF Leaders got to have a “Central Guadalcanal Experience” on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at Henderson.
The event, a first of its own was organised by Central Guadalcanal youths carrying the theme “Communities for Sustainability Eco-Tourism and Development Fair”.

Speakers at the event were Minister of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Cathy Nori and Premier of Guadalcanal Province, William Atu.
Nori expressed that youths should be champions and leaders in sustainable development while Premier Atu said the challenge now is to address the high percentage of youths on Guadalcanal.
The spouses were also acknowledged for showing up at the event.

On this note, Premier Atu made mention of a phrase that read as “Behind every strong man, is a woman.”
After speeches concluded, the women had a look at youths preparing local food using traditional methods, and happily examined traditionally made baskets.
Unexpected and to their joy, they were told they could take the baskets by a committee member Central Guadalcanal Youths.

The spouses also walked around the trade fair and visited the booths.
Larry Viravira, Chairman of Central Guadalcanal Youths told Island Sun that they were happy to have the spouses of the 54th PIF Leaders Meeting from Solomon Islands, Nauru, Tuvalu, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Cook Islands visit them.

BY BEN BILUA
CHAIR of the 54th Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting has called on regional leaders to stand united.
In his opening remarks on Monday [Sept 8], Jeremiah Manele said Pacific solidarity must not be taken for granted amidst pressures from within and outside of the region.
He told leaders that regionalism journey is like the wansolwara voyage by Tepuke and Uto Ni Yalo who crossed the seas from Temotu to Guadalcanal province, navigating the storms and waves to reach their destination.
“Through this evolution, our solidarity has continued to stand the test of time – but we cannot be complacent, and we must not take our relationships, as a Forum Family, for granted.
“Success lies not only in the destination, but the journey itself. Similarly for regionalism, our success is in our collective journey across to achieve our shared vision,” Manele said.
He said much has happened since the Forum was birthed 54 years ago with culture and traditions, the character and nature of the Pacific Islands Forum have evolved with time.
Manele reminds leaders’ that past leaders have made sacrifices to keep regionalism alive and it is important for present and future leaders to carry the baton forward.
“Solomon Islands last hosted the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting 33 years ago in 1992.
“In his opening address late Sir George Lepping reminded us that, “The old Order in the world is rapidly changing, we must adjust to the new realities and the new competition for resources and markets,” he said.
Manele said the need for regional cooperation has therefore become more important and more compelling than ever.
“Working together in cooperation, to achieve our common aspirations, will produce greater economic development for our people than operating as individual competing nations.
“We will have a more significant impact on the world stage by acting in concert than by addressing our aims individually,” he said.

BY NED GAGAHE
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has called on Pacific nations to take decisive and united action to finalise the region’s remaining maritime boundaries and push forward with the goal of achieving 100 percent ocean management.
Speaking at a high-level sideline event on maritime boundary and ocean management during the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) yesterday, Prime Minister Manele described the occasion as a celebration of Pacific solidarity and progress, anchored in both ancestral knowledge and international law.
“Today, we celebrate Pacific leadership rooted in culture, sovereignty, and collective action as we secure the future of our Blue Pacific Continent,” said Prime Minister Manele.
According to Manele, the Pacific has already settled 36 of its 48 shared maritime boundaries, representing 75 percent completion.
However, he warned that the 12 remaining boundaries and 19 pending Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) submissions must be addressed with urgency.
“While this demonstrates Pacific leadership in ocean diplomacy, the remaining boundaries still present risks to sovereign rights, resource management, and our Blue Pacific vision,” he said.
Manele emphasised the importance of both regional cooperation and grassroots engagement in achieving sustainable ocean management.
He welcomed the participation of provincial leaders from Torba Province (Vanuatu) and Temotu Province (Solomon Islands), commending their collaboration under the Motalava Boundary Treaty and Tirvau Agreement as a model for how local leadership can contribute to international outcomes.
“Their collaboration stands as a powerful example of partnership and what ocean management looks like in practice,” Manele noted.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the critical role played by the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), and the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) in providing technical and legal support to countries across the region.
In his remarks, PM Manele extended appreciation to international development partners—including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union—for their continued support in advancing maritime boundary delimitation and capacity building across the region.
“Your support has been instrumental to our efforts,” he said, urging partners to remain engaged as the region moves toward full ocean governance.
Prime Minister Manele took the opportunity to congratulate the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Kiribati on the ratification of their bilateral maritime boundary treaty—a milestone he said underscores the region’s commitment to international law and ocean sovereignty.
As Pacific nations advocate globally for the recognition and preservation of their maritime rights in the face of climate change and sea level rise, PM Manele said it is vital that countries lead by example and finalise their own outstanding boundaries.
“Let today be a celebration of progress, partnership, and Pacific solidarity,” he concluded. “Now is the time to act decisively and finish the task we started together.”
The high-level sideline event featured keynote speeches from Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, SPC Director General Dr. Stuart Minchin, and Deputy Director for the Ocean and Maritime Programme Mr. Jens Kruger, Premier of Temotu Province Stanley Tehiahua, and concluded with closing remarks from Pacific Ocean Commissioner Dr. Filimon Manoni.

Prime Minister Manele calls for urgent action on climate change as PIF leaders meeting goes underway

BY BEN BILUA
PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has called for urgent action on climate change and its impacts in the Pacific region.
He made the statement during the opening of Pacific ACP Leaders meeting held at Forum Fisheries Agency conference room yesterday.
Manele said the pacific region is at the forefront of climate change and global shocks making it a serious matter to consider.
“Our share of resources must reflect not only our vulnerabilities, but also our commitment to be responsible and reliable partners.
“As we approach COP30, it is essential that we empower a new cohort of Champions to carry forward the pacific collective call for climate justice.
“At the same time, we must seize every opportunity in the lead-up to COP30 to advance this call and reaffirm our firm resolve to bring COP31 to our shores, in partnership with Australia.
“And while the Secretary General has rightly spoken on development financing, allow me to add this: for the Pacific, financing is not just about numbers — it is about equity, justice and fairness,” he said.
Manele told leaders that the Pacific has shown commitments through the Climate Champions initiative and that political advocacy can elevate regional priorities on the world stage.
He acknowledged the progress made on the Pacific Resilience Facility which will be endorsed by leaders on Wednesday this week.
“We progressed the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) — our first Pacific-owned financing mechanism for resilience.
“Tonga’s hosting of the PRF is an important custodian role for the first Pacific-led and owned regional climate and disaster resilience financing mechanism dedicated to Pacific communities at the front line of the climate crisis,” Manele said.
The Pacific ACP (PACP) members include the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The current chair of Pacific ACP [PACP] is Jeremiah Manele.