BY ALICE T CAMPBELL
Regional Directors of Immigration from Pacific Islands countries participated in a three-day Border Management System (BMS) Strategic Foundations workshop in Brisbane, Australia, from February 24-26, 2026.
A statement from Government Communications Unit (GCU) yesterday, said the workshop was funded by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and its aim was for participants to discuss shared objectives and opportunities for automated data sharing and the development of Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger National Record modules.
Countries represented at the workshop included the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and Vanuatu.
GCU said the workshop was led by Australian Department of Home Affairs Regional Director, Mr Jim Anderson who emphasised on the importance of regional collaboration in combating organised crime.
The workshop is said to have focused on challenges such as drug trafficking, cybersecurity threats, and digital borders and key outcomes included establishing a PIDC Information Technology Working Group to lead regional BMS developments and fighting organised crime.
GCU said Solomon Islands is strengthening its national border security, having rolled out the first phase of BMS with Australia and Papua New Guinea in which the Australian Government funded SBD$18M for the Immigration BMS roll-out.
The statement said an online electronic visa system will be introduced by mid-March 2026, and this will allow travelers to apply and pay for visas online.
“Travelers and tourists travelling to Solomon Islands will access visa applications and make online payments through an ANZ online visa payment for Solomon Islands visas.
“A technical working group will assess digitising entries and exits in Western and Choiseul Provinces in April 2026, aligning border security with the government’s National Security Strategy,” GCU said.
GCU said representing the Solomon Islands Government at this workshop was Acting Director of Immigration, Mr Chris Akosawa.
Photo credit: GCU
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