BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Malaita provincial government proposes consultation program with resource owners in and around Auki town, in pursuit of its plan for Auki greater city.

The consultation program aimed to prepare resource owners and other stakeholders to see where and how they can support this historic initiative for the province.

In a recent interview, Malaita Premier, Elijah Asilaua highlighted this as one of the priority objectives of his government.

“Among other priority objectives of my government, we also planned to pursue the initiative for the greater city of Auki this year.

“My government look forward to consult landowners around Auki on the plan. I will take them onboard so that they take ownership of the plan.

“This is also for resource owners to prepare resources for the development, where people and government of Malaita look forward for,” he said.

Asilaua explained that the initiative came under MPG’s policy on urban development strategy, where Auki will become a trading hub for economic activity in the province.

He echoed there are major development projects earmarked for certain spots around the province, and Auki will become their centre.

“My executive is behind the plan and has been consulting national government through its line ministries on it,” Asilaua said.

Asilaua stated his government has been liaising with Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey especially on land related matters.

“Our mutual cooperation with MLHS has indicated green light to create Auki greater city under the urban development strategy,” he noted.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

DESPITE the pressing need to preserve local biodiversity, the Solomon Islands should also strive to preserve its rich linguistic diversity, according to the SIL Global Executive Director Dr Michel Kenmogne.

Dr Kenmogne who was in the country recently said preserving linguistic diversity is vital in the age of globalization.

According to the recent 28th edition of Ethnologue, the World’s only credible and comprehensive database for world languages, Solomon Islands has 70 living indigenous languages and 2 indigenous languages that are now extinct.

Commemorating the International Mother Language Day last week at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), the executive director reflected on the theme “boldly taking our languages into the future”

“When we talk of taking our languages into the future, we are not only taking them into the future. We are taking ourselves into the future into a world in which the dominant languages continue to oppress the minority languages,” he said.

He stressed that the theme is significant for anyone who uses a vernacular language “because it is about our identity, it is about our place, our voice, and our role in the world.”

In 2021, the United Nations recognized the alarming loss of global language diversity and declared the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

Dr. Kenmogne echoed this call, stressing the political significance of the issue.

“We must do everything we can to raise awareness about the political loss of indigenous languages and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize, and promote them,” he said. “This is why we are here today – to extend that call, “he said.

Dr. Kenmogne further emphasized the connection between language preservation and cultural identity.

“We want to see these languages preserved, revitalized, and promoted, ensuring that the identities of all the people who speak them are protected,” he added.

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By Loretta B Manele

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.4 is targeted at ensuring Pacific Island countries are sustainably managing the world’s fish stocks.

Ambassador Peter Thomson, United Nations Secretary General (UNSG), Special Envoy for the Ocean spoke about this during a high-level discussion at the Honiara Summit- “Umi Tugeda Delivering on SDG 14:4 Achieving Sustainable Fisheries” at the Friendship Hall yesterday.

He said they are gathered at the summit to examine the progress of their implementation of SDG 14.4 of which the target is to ensure that Pacific Island countries are sustainably looking after the world’s fish stocks.

Thomson stated that under the SDG 14.4 goal, they are called to effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices.

He highlighted that this goal demands that they implement science-based management plans in order to restore fish stocks to the biologically sustainable levels in the world in the shortest possible time.

Moreover, Thomson said they have seen brave efforts in the establishment and expansion of marine protected areas around the world and have made commendable advances in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

“We’re very close to WTO bans on harmful fisheries subsidies and can demonstrate growing support for small-scale fishes and economic benefits to CIDs and LDCs from marine resources.”

However, he pointed that implementation of the SDG 14.4 goal is not advancing at the speed or scale required to fully meet this goal by 2030.

Thomson emphasized that to meet this goal they have to carefully consider what is going on in the ocean as a whole.

“The ocean is acidifying, it’s warming, resulting in movement of species, in changing ecosystems, and the demise of coral and rising sea levels.

We are continuing to pollute and overexploit the ocean with what seems at times to be scant regard for the tipping points that will make a life on this planet so difficult for coming generations of humans and animals.”

Thomson said at the biennial SOFIA meetings in Rome, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) consistently advised that assessed global fish stocks are being overexploited by a factor of over a third.

He added that for the fish stocks involved and those who depend on them for food security, that statistic does not reflect well on our sustainable use of the ocean’s resources.

Thomson stated that the purpose of this summit must be the why and where of overexploitation and when and how it can be rectified.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Marshall Islands, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) during the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) event on Monday.

The signing took place at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) headquarters in Honiara as part of a pre-summit event leading up to this week’s Honiara Summit, which was officially opened yesterday.

FSM, the Marshall Islands, and Papua New Guinea are advancing elements of the ENBi framework through this MoU, aiming to accelerate the ENBi concept and invite others interested in collective efforts.

“Our goal is to enhance our participation and engagement in the development of the ENBi concept at a tripartite level and create opportunities for PFA members to benefit from the broader ENBi programme,” said Elina Akinaga of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Delivering her keynote remarks at the event on Monday, Akinaga emphasized that the sustainable development of the region’s fisheries remains a critical objective, ensuring that effective management aligns with broader development goals.

She noted that ENBi is founded on the principle that regional development opportunities must prioritize long-term sustainability.

“Active collaboration and engagement with the industry are vital to ensuring that our tuna products meet both regional and international standards while protecting them from the threats of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

“This includes pursuing sustainability certifications such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certifications for our tuna fisheries, establishing and enhancing our chain of custody programme, strengthening monitoring, control, and surveillance tools, and integrating emerging technologies in fisheries management, such as electronic reporting and electronic monitoring.”

Hon. Jelta Wong, Papua New Guinea’s Fisheries Minister, told the media during the signing that collaboration is a key pillar of the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi).

“This tripartite MoU keeps us united and ensures that we support one another for a sustainable future. We need to stand together, whether big or small.

“We have a motto: never leave anyone behind. I’m very pleased that both countries have joined us in this effort, working together to strengthen our economies.

“They have strengths that Papua New Guinea may lack, and in turn, we may be able to support them in areas where we have expertise,” said Wong.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

A new initiative to enhance Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in selected schools around Honiara was launched yesterday.

The 18-month program titled “Urban Water Supply Sanitation Sector Program in Schools” will work closely with 11 schools and is expected to conclude in June 2026.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with an estimated budget of USD $400,000, the program is contracted through Solomon Water, with Plan International and Live and Learn acting as implementing partners. The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) is also a key partner.

Live and Learn’s WASH Coordinator, Fiona Laeta, shared with local media that the program will focus on both the software and hardware aspects of WASH.

 “..that means it will cover teacher and student’s training, and improving WASH facilities in schools to improve access for sanitation and access to clean safe water,” Laeta explained.

Laeta emphasized that the program aims to go beyond simply providing basic WASH facilities.

“In our communities, hygiene is not really prioritized but it is very important way of addressing a lot of the diseases in our country…and the simple way we can address the matter is improving hygiene,” she noted.

Among the schools benefiting from the program is Norman Palmer School, Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) Education Secretary Desmond Waita took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the initiative.

“This project is beneficial specifically for Norman Plamer School…..Honiara’s population is increasing and there is a lot of students trying to get enrolled,”

He described it as a “blessing” as it will provide the necessary access for WASH facilities.

Selected schools, education providers, and other stakeholders participated in an inception workshop at Jina’s Restaurant where they were formally briefed on their roles and the expected outcomes of the initiative.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands generates an annual revenue of approximately $250 to $300 million from tuna, contributing significantly to the national economy.

Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Deputy Secretary for Corporate Services, Mr. Patteson Lusi, emphasized this during a press conference held before the Honiara Summit last week.

“And it’s quite special in the context that such a summit is being hosted in the Pacific region,” said Mr. Lusi.

He highlighted that the summit’s outcomes will help shape the agenda of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which will be held in Nice, France.

“You can see the importance of us hosting this Honiara Summit. You might already be aware, but this summit underscores the vital role of fisheries in the Solomon Islands,” Lusi said.

France and Costa Rica are co-organizing the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice from June 9 to 13, 2025. The conference aims to promote urgent action to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

“So, you can see for yourself why the Honiara Summit is significant and why we are working closely with the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in organizing it,” he added.

“By contributing to the way forward and ensuring that the declarations from this summit are presented at the next UN Ocean Conference, we are staying on track. We would like to thank the government for supporting the organizing committee, alongside the FFA, SPC, FAO, and the UN Special Secretary for the Ocean, as well as all other stakeholders involved in this initiative,” Lusi concluded.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele officially opened the Honiara Summit 2025 at the Friendship Hall yesterday morning.

Delivering his keynote address, Manele welcomed heads of government, the Secretary-General and Special Envoy on the Ocean, the Director-General of the Forum Fisheries Agency, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ministers of Fisheries from across the Pacific, the Director-General of the United Nations International Food and Agriculture Organization, the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, distinguished delegates, international and regional heads of organizations, and other official stakeholders.

“It is a privilege to once again extend a warm welcome to each of you to the Solomon Islands and to this venue, the Friendship Hall, which fits well with the theme of the Summit. The theme of this Summit, as highlighted by the Minister of Fisheries and Ambassador Peter Thompson, is ‘Iumi Together: Delivering on SDG 14.4, Achieving Sustainable Fisheries,’” said Manele.

He emphasized that achieving sustainable fisheries is only possible if nations work together at the national, regional, and international levels.

He noted that Pacific nations have long recognized the importance of regional cooperation and have been striving toward sustainable fisheries for over half a century.

PM Manele stressed that regional cooperation is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of fish stocks, particularly struggling and highly migratory fish stocks, while also enabling states to maximize benefits from their sustainable use.

He highlighted that with vast ocean areas, limited capacity, and growing competition for access to fish stocks, it is essential that Pacific nations work collectively to manage these resources effectively.

 “In this spirit, I urge all foreign members to continue our collective efforts to finalize all remaining maritime zones and reaffirm the commitment made by Pacific Island leaders in 2021. Our maritime zones, as defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, must remain intact, despite the impacts of climate change.

By working together in the Pacific Way, we strengthen our stewardship of the ocean, uphold our sovereign rights, and advance sustainable ocean management to safeguard our Blue Pacific Continent for future generations,” said Manele.

He further elaborated on SDG 14, which consists of 10 interconnected targets, with SDG 14.4 specifically addressing the sustainability of marine fishery resources and the achievement of sustainable fisheries.

 “SDG 14.4 calls for the effective regulation of fishing practices to end overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and destructive fishing methods.

The goal is to restore fish stocks to sustainable levels through science-based management plans that ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them,” said Manele.

He pointed out that the 10 SDG 14 targets are interconnected with SDG 14.4, which is especially crucial for the Pacific Islands region, where sustainable fisheries contribute significantly to national GDP.

 “The current assessment of the SDG 14.4.1 target—which measures the proportion of marine fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels—continues to show an overall worsening trend.

In 2021, only 62.3% of fish stocks were within biologically sustainable levels, compared to 90% in 1974.

However, positive trends exist for commercially significant fishery resources, particularly in the tuna fisheries, where 85% of commercial catch comes from sustainable stocks with healthy abundance levels, primarily managed through regional fisheries management organizations,” he said.

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