BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE 2024 Miss Solomon Islands Pageant’s (MSIP) contestants paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet yesterday afternoon.

Supervising Prime Minister, Bradley Tovosia warmly welcomed the six contestants, who were accompanied by their respective chaperones, the MSSIP organizing team and the reigning Miss Solomon Islands, Tiare Taisia Haro

During the visit, each contestant seized the opportunity to introduce themselves and passionately discuss their advocacies. Issues discussed included climate change, gender equality, law education, domestic violence, women reproductive health and non- communicable diseases.  

In response, Tovosia outlined the government’s current initiatives and strategies aimed at addressing each of the challenges. He also welcomed questions from the contestants. 

Director of MSIP, Joyce Konofilia, conveyed heartfelt appreciation to Tovosia for availing himself to listen and speak with the contestants.

Echoing this sentiment, Tovosia praised the MSIP as a vital platform for empowering young women to voice their concerns and advocate for issues impacting Solomon Islands society. He acknowledged the contestants’ dedication and commitment to making a difference in their communities.

The Pageant is schedule for 30-31^st of August.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A ban has been imposed and effective on poultry products from Australia due to a recent bird flu outbreak in several Australian states.

Biosecurity Solomon Islands Director within the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Francis Tsatsia told Island Sun in an exclusive interview via a phone call on Thursday 11 July.

“We have been informed by the agriculture authorities in Victoria two weeks ago of the bird flu outbreak in Victoria, Australia. Ban has already been imposed and effective two weeks ago,’’ said Tsatsia.

Mr Tsatsia stated that the ban is imposed mainly on poultry products from the Australian states that were experiencing the outbreak.

“The ban is targeted at poultry products from Australian states that were currently facing the outbreak. We are collaborating with the Customs, Ministry of Health and Medical Services Environment division, and authorities from Australia,’’ said Tsatsia.

He stressed that they have been monitoring the situation through working closely together with the Australian authorities in Victoria on the issue.

“This is a serious issue and risk to our food security especially in terms of poultry products importation. That doesn’t mean that all poultry products from Australia have been banned, No. There is no total ban on all poultry products from Australia, the ban is especially for affected states in Australia,’’ he said.

“Currently most of the poultry product coming into the country has been going through proper channels, validation, and certification before it enters the country. So, we are working around the clock on this issue very closely,’’ he said.

Recently Australian media reports that several countries that import from Australia have imposed a ban due to the recent bird flu outbreak in several Australian states.

The agriculture ministries of these countries have announced an immediate halt on the imports of wild and domestic birds, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from Australia.

According to the media reports, a highly contagious strain of avian influenza has been detected at an eighth egg farm in Victoria hence work is ongoing on all poultry on the farm to be “safely and humanely disposed of” before the site is cleaned and cleared of infection.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The people with disabilities in the Solomon Islands were represented at the Pacific Disability Forum which runs from 8th – 10th July at Tanao Waterfront Hotel, Lautoka in Fiji.

Casper Fa’asala Chief Executive Officer of People with Disabilities Solomon Islands (PWDSI), told Island Sun in an exclusive interview on Wednesday this week.

“The Meeting happened here in Lautoka, Fiji at the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel. It Starts on Monday 8 July and concludes on Wednesday 10 July,’’ he said.

He said that the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) has a vision for achieving disability inclusion and equity within climate and disaster resilience.

According to Fa’asala, this vision is fixed in its draft strategy for Disability Inclusive Resilience (Pacific Disability Inclusive Resilient Development Strategy (the Strategy) which covers ten years from 2023-2033.

“PDF acknowledges that this vision cannot be achieved without the help of partners to realize its vision in the Pacific, which is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world,’’ he said. 

He stated that the ten-year draft Strategy is an extensive and detailed document that strives to outline strategic actions in pursuit of its working vision for achieving disability inclusion within climate and disaster resilience

“The draft strategy also offers opportunities to review and include regional gender commitments made by Pacific leaders through the Revitalized Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific continent.

“The review of the draft strategy importantly also offers opportunities for self-assessments using the Pacific Resilience Standards (PRS), a practical tool that aims to strengthen the effectiveness, quality, and integrity of resilience-building efforts and interventions such as the formulation of a regional disability inclusive resilience development strategy.

“The regional convening is supported through UN Women Fiji MCO, and one of its programs, the Women’s Resilience to Disasters (WRD) program. In bringing a collective and resilient pathway to the PDF vision, UN Women is supporting PDF to convene the regional event of partners, stakeholders, and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs),’’ he said

Mr Fa’asala said that it is proposed that this convening will ensure that this vision and the accompanying strategy are inclusive, equitable, gender-responsive, and resilient through the ten years of implementation.

He stated that the key objectives of the workshop of the three-day regional convening will have these specific objectives: 

1. To create a space that facilitates a direct and trusted conversation between stakeholders and partners with ODPs and the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF), that will provide insights into strategic thinking for a ten-year disability-inclusive resilience strategy.

2. To ensure a review and strengthening of the draft Disability Inclusive Resilience Development Strategy, which considers women’s resilience to disasters and is gender-responsive. 

3. To convene a capacity support dialogue and learning on resource mobilization for Pacific ODPs that will contribute to the resilience of their work. 

“The event is expected to deliver the following results,(a) Support the PDF and regional ODPs to have a resilient and trusted space with partners and stakeholders that will be in place throughout the ten-year implementation of the disability-inclusive resilience development strategy. (b). The formulation of a gender-responsive, disability-inclusive resilient development strategy.  (c). The sharing of learnings and contextual ideas and best practices for resource mobilization.  (d). Improved understanding of WRD by partners and stakeholders across PDF and the regional ODPs,’’ said Mr Fa’asala.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE six young women slated to contest in the upcoming Miss Solomon Islands Pageant (MSIP) next month have been officially introduced yesterday.

The introduction took place during a press conference hosted at the Pacific Crown Hotel, the sponsor for the 2024 MSIP.

The 2024 contestants are:

Miss Solomon Islands Climate Action Network (SICAN), Azarinnah Zolela Stevens,

Miss Tourism, Kerrie Faradatolo

Miss Tulagi, Zayniellar Soakai,

Miss Guadalcanal, Ezinma Kausua,

Miss Coral Sea Resort and Casino, Sharllyma Aruhane,

Miss Lauru, Elsie Polosovai

Each contestant was given the opportunity to presented themselves alongside their respective chaperone and sponsors.

Solomon Host Chief Executive Officer and Director of the MSIP, Joyce Konofilia, acknowledged the contestants for their participation

“Thank you for being brave and raising your hands to contest” Konofilia said.

“I just want to encourage you to enjoy it, make friends and learn as you go and read more on the theme for this year -Women empowerment for Sustainable Development” Konofilia added.

She also extended her appreciation to their respective parents, families and sponsors for their support towards the girls.  

Konofilia noted that the number of contestants had reduced from an initial 11 to six due to a lack of sponsors.