BY JOSES SAREN
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), with World Bank support, through the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), successfully concluded the National Road Safety Three-Years Action Plan Training, the National Road Safety Council Meeting and the National Road Safety Conference in Honiara from June 2 to 4, 2026.
A statement from SIRAP2 yesterday said the event is a significant step forward in strengthening road safety management across the country.
The conference is said to have brought together representatives from government ministries, law enforcement agencies, transport operators, road safety practitioners and other stakeholders from across the country to discuss pressing road safety challenges and identify practical solutions to reduce road crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
A key objective of the conference was to establish the foundational framework for the National Road Safety Council (NRSC).
“…..which will serve as the lead technical, coordination and road safety policy advisory body to the Road Transport Board,” the statement said.
Along with this, participants also explored mechanisms to secure strong, long-term government commitment, ensuring road safety remains a national priority.
The three-day conference catered to presentations, technical discussions, and collaborative planning sessions where stakeholders reviewed the current state of road safety in Solomon Islands.
They also identified opportunities to strengthen policy development, institutional coordination, road safety enforcement, infrastructure safety, data management, and public awareness.
“The conference also advanced discussions on a fully funded and sustainable National Road Safety Action Plan to guide future road safety interventions and help protect all road users, including pedestrians, passengers, cyclists, motorists, and persons with disabilities.
“Participants acknowledged that improving road safety requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach and emphasized the importance of strong partnerships between government agencies, communities, development partners, the private sector, and road users themselves,” said the statement.
Mike Qaqara, Acting Permanent Secretary of MID reaffirmed Government’s commitment.
He said road safety is not solely the responsibility of one agency or organisation but a shared responsibility that requires strong collaboration across all sectors.
“The establishment of the National Road Safety Council will provide an important platform for coordinating our efforts, strengthening road safety governance, and ensuring that we take a more strategic and sustainable approach to reducing road crashes and saving lives on our roads,” Qaqara said.
The statement mentioned that technical support for the conference was provided by Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (SMEC), which is working closely with the SIRAP2 Project Support Team, MID and other stakeholders to support the establishment of the NRSC and build institutional capacity for road safety management.
Further noted is that the successful completion of the conference represents a major milestone in the country’s efforts to improve road safety governance and create safer roads for all Solomon Islanders.
The outcomes from the conference as stated will inform the next steps towards the formal establishment of the NRSC and the implementation of coordinated road safety programs nationwide.
Photo credit: SIRAP2 Project
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