BY JOSES SAREN
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) has taken a significant step to improve hazardous waste management in the country with the convening of a validation workshop for the Draft National Hazardous Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan.
A statement from MECDM yesterday said the workshop was opened by MECDM Minister Wayne Ghemu and brought together senior government officials, private sector representatives, and civil society groups to finalise a comprehensive framework to manage hazardous and chemical wastes across the country.
The statement said the strategic development is a key component of the GEF ISLANDS Pacific Project, a global initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The project is executed regionally by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and is currently being implemented across 14 Pacific Island countries, including the Solomon Islands.
Hazardous waste management in Solomon Islands is currently fragmented, with various ministries and agencies operating independently without a unifying framework — a gap that has historically posed challenges to the effective transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials.
In his opening remarks, Minister Ghemu said the strategy effectively addresses the country’s hazardous waste management challenges and provides a practical framework for protecting public health and the environment.
He said the new roadmap will allow Solomon Islands to meet its international obligations while strengthening national capacity and improving waste management practices for future generations.
The draft strategy states that effective waste management cannot be achieved by government alone, calling for a coordinated and collaborative approach involving partnerships between government agencies, the private sector, development partners, and local communities.
Ghemu also thanked the GHD consultant team for its technical expertise in developing the document, and acknowledged the GEF ISLANDS Pacific Project for its financial support.
Feedback gathered during the validation workshop will be used to ensure the final strategy reflects national priorities and provides a sustainable, effective approach to hazardous waste management to support the country’s long-term development goals.
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