By MORRIS NAFU
The Solomon Islands Nursing Association (SINA) has issued a 28-day strike notice to the Government effective September 4 to October 1.
This followed a failed dialogue with the Ministry of Public Service and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) over the association’s complaints pertaining the leadership style of the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).
The MHMS has not responded to the paper’s attempts for a comment.
It is understood the country’s trade union has voiced support for the nurses.
SINA said the issue has been dragged for almost six months without reaching a decision.
SINA said the reason that made the administration to issue the notice of the industrial action is rooted on a simple administrative decision error that should have been resolved at the Ministry and Division level under the jurisdictions of responsible PS through an open consultation and arrangement with responsible division but carelessly allowed to escalate further and demand the industrial action to resolve.
SINA argued that the administration decision error involves the interim engagement of the supervising national director of nursing when the post was left vacant early March 2025.
SINA said the position is the highest position in the nursing cadre that has important responsibilities in representing nurses’ voices in the senior executive level, regional and global nursing profession.
SINA added that the appointment involves an officer who has not met the prescribed selection criteria as stated in the position description and also with the purpose which deviated from national and nursing professional interests.
The decision was viewed as not complying with standard process of engaging to supervise high structure, undermining the nursed cadre highest position for a purpose that is not of national interest, none alignment with the division’s succession plan and hierarchical structure, undervaluing the ling serving senior nurses’ regulatory requirement and nurses division and none compliance with the Nurses regulatory requirement and nurses SOS.
The matter was brought forward to the PS of the Public Service Ministry and the Public Service Chairman but was denied action stating the Nursing Management Advisory Group has not fully justified what was viewed as a decision that lacked due diligence and ignored the negative consequences that such decision will directly affect the welfare of nurses and will have a spillover effect to nursing practices and patient safety.
The matter was referred to SINA to challenge the decision under the Union Jurisdiction.
The matter was presented to the OPMC through the Chief of Staff on April 23, 2025 for review and validation of the report.
The matter was elevated to the OPMC Management under the leadership of the special Secretary to the Prime Minister (SSPM) and Secretary to Cabinet (STC) however the matter took a month before a decision that only addressed one of SINA’s demands was made.
While SINA acknowledged the decision, it said the decision to revoke the appointment of the interim engagement of the supervising National Director of Nursing alone will not fully address the matter of important concerns that was brought to the attention of the MPS and OPMC.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Public Service Luke Cheka confirmed to Island Sun having received SINA’s strike notice on September 4.
“The Government, through the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), the Ministry of Public Service (MPS), and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), has taken cognizance of the matters raised by SINA and is presently determining ways to resolve these issues before the expiration of the strike notice period,” he said.
Cheka reiterated government’s its commitment to constructive dialogue with all stakeholders. At the same time, measures are being put in place to ensure the continuity of essential services, particularly in the health sector, to safeguard the well-being of the public.
The Government calls on all parties to exercise patience and good faith while discussions are underway.

BY MORRIS NAFU
Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has issued a strong call for urgent action against corruption across the region.
Rodney Kingmele, chairman of TSI and spokesperson for Transparency International Pacific, told a press conference yesterday that ‘corruption undermines political leadership, public and private sectors, and civil society, diminishing the aspirations of our region’.
Drawing on findings from the Global Corruption Barometer Pacific 2021, Kingmele highlighted that corruption remains a major concern for Pacific peoples.
“If left unchecked, it threatens to worsen, fueling social disorder, diverting public funds to private interests, and undermining democracy and peace.”
He warned that corruption also weakens climate finance governance, blocking communities from benefiting from their natural resources and hindering progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Vulnerable groups – women, children, people with disabilities – bear the brunt of corruption’s social and economic costs, with gendered corruption deepening inequality and violating human rights.
Sexual corruption, where those in power demand sexual favours for services, is a serious problem across the Pacific.
Bribes are often required to access essential services like health and education, while unfair laws and undue influence limit citizens’ political participation and access to information.
Kingmele called for stronger integrity in political leadership and electoral processes, urging leaders to ensure voters have the knowledge and information needed to make informed choices.
He stressed the importance of civil society organisations in raising awareness and supporting the implementation of the 2050 Strategy.
Pacific leaders have made commitments through frameworks like SDG 16, the Boy Declaration on Regional Security, and the Teieniwa Vision endorsed in 2021.
While progress has been made in anti-corruption strategies and transparency measures, Kingmele said much more remains to be done.
“Governments must bring communities along in this journey,” he said.
“We call on our leaders to show greater urgency, determination, and political will to fulfill their anti-corruption commitments, to report transparently to Pacific peoples, and to work closely with civil society.”
As the Forum meeting unfolds, Transparency Solomon Islands urges Pacific leaders to prioritise reforms on beneficial ownership transparency, right to information laws, political integrity, and electoral processes to safeguard the future of the Blue Pacific.

BY BEN BILUA
TWO key regional initiatives that are at the heart of the 54th Pacific Islands Leaders Forum will be presented before regional leaders for deliberation today [Wednesday, Sept 10].
The regional initiatives are; the signing of the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility and the endorsement and commemoration of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration.
Chair of the forum, Jeremiah Manele described the two regional initiatives as a strong political recommitment to resilience and peace across the Blue Pacific Continent.
He said the Pacific Resilience Facility and the Ocean of Peace Declaration will reaffirm the leadership of the pacific region to the international community.
“Indeed, I am particularly grateful that our gathering here this week will witness the endorsement of the Ocean of Peace Declaration, an initiative proposed by the most senior Leader amongst us this evening – Prime Minister Rabuka, a true friend of Solomon Islands,” Manele said.
He said discussion with be conducted in the spirit of dialogue and perspectives with regional organisations who will lead the implementation of political decision and aspirations.
Manele also said that the private sector and civil society organisations within the region will be consulted for their inputs on how the initiative can be broken down to suit the purposes.
He said the private sector and civil society organisations are crucial partners contributing in economic development and at the same time representing the perspective and views of communities across the region.
“With our Civil Society, who represent the perspectives and views of our communities and continue to play an important role in accountability and monitoring of political decisions,” Manele said.
He said the dialogues demonstrates commitments to inclusivity, sufficiency and most importantly bring positive outcomes for the region.

BY BEN BILUA
FORUM Leaders will endorse the Pacific Resilience Facility Treaty on Wednesday this week.
The Treaty signifies huge achievement at the regional and national level but what is the treaty meant to Solomon Islands and its people?
According to PRF General Manager Finau Soqo funds donated to the Pacific Resilience Facility will support member countries mitigate impact of climate change.
She said PRF provides unique opportunities to build resilience, through upfront investment in preparedness to natural disasters and climate change adaptation to minimise future loss of lives, displacement of people and extensive economic losses.
Sogo adds that the treaty will ensure that development partners and multilateral agencies have a clear legal framework to channel support into climate change initiatives.
Solomon Islands is a member of the forum, meaning, Solomon Islands is eligible to access the fund when it’s ready to support climate change programs and activities in the country.
Background
Following the endorsement of the PRF Treaty at the Special Forum of Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) in Tonga in March, which endorsed the PRF Treaty for signing, the PRF’s global capitalisation advocacy has been gaining pace.
From the OPEC Fund for International Development SIDS Summit in Vienna in May to the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice in June where France pledged EUR2 million to the PRF, the 4th UN Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville in July to unlock climate financing capital for the Pacific’s first regional climate and disaster resilience financing facility, and to engaging with climate actors and partners at the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR) in Samoa in August, the PRF has raised US$162 million in pledges to date.
Member engagement in the PRF has also ramped up as the PRF undertakes PRF Treaty Readiness missions around the Pacific, meeting with government officials and stakeholders in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Nauru.
The PRF Treaty is earmarked to enter into force by March 2026, demonstrating the Forum Members’ commitment to making climate finance accessible to communities a reality.
In preparation for this, once the PRF Treaty is signed, the PRF is undertaking programming co-design consultations with Members, CSOs, communities, the private sector, implementing partners and other stakeholders, starting with virtual consultations leading up to sub-regional cluster workshops scheduled to be held in the Marshall Islands, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati in the fourth quarter of this year.
The Pacific’s message ‘1.5 to Stay Alive and Thrive’ is at the core of the PRF’s mandate, reflecting its $1.5 billion target to help secure a 1.5 °C world as articulated by Forum Leaders.
The PRF Treaty signing paves the way for the formal call for pledges to the PRF to reach its capitalisation target of US$500 million by the end of 2026.
From Honiara, Forum Members will take safe carriage of the PRF to critical high-level global capitalisation advocacy platforms — the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York in September, to the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C. in October, and onto COP30 in Brazil in November. With operationalisation targeted for 2026, the PRF will play a crucial role in helping communities access climate finance, ensuring no one is left behind.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Chair of the Pacific ACP Leaders Meeting, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said that the government of Solomon Islands is committed to the collective endeavours of all members.
Mr Manele said his government is honoured to host the meeting of Pacific ACP Leaders here in Honiara.
Manele also acknowledged the Kingdom of Tonga, outgoing Pacific ACP chair, for their leadership and support in the work and engagement as PACP states.
He said that further significant progress in realising pacific islands collective priorities was made uunder Tonga’s stewardship.
“The signing of the Samoa Agreement in 2023 set a renewed framework with our European partners. We advanced Pacific climate diplomacy at COP28 and COP29, ensuring our survival agenda remained at the heart of global discussions,” said PM Manele.
He said that Solomon Islands assuming the leadership of the Pacific ACP work, will do so conscious of the responsibility before its member states.
“Our task is to build on this foundation and guide our collective efforts at a time when our Blue Pacific region face heightened challenges, but also new opportunities. For us, representation and influence are paramount. The upcoming appointment of the Pacific’s Assistant Secretary-General at the OACPS Secretariat is a moment for us to stand united,” he said.
He said that this post will give the Pacific not only visibility, but a firmer hand in shaping decisions in Brussels that affect the region’s financing, governance, and implementation of the Samoa Agreement.
“Colleagues, today’s meeting is about more than procedures. It is about charting a way forward together. Let us ensure that in our work with the OACPS and the EU, the Blue Pacific continues to speak with one voice to ensure the successful implementation of the Samoa Agreement, as well as the 2050 Strategy,” he said.
He said that he welcomes and look forward to members continued support and assistance in their work and discussions in the coming months.
“The success of our leadership and representation of our collective will is premised on the spirit of Pacific solidarity, with clarity, urgency, and unity, to assure sustainable benefits, development, and security of our Pacific people,” he said.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Small Islands States (SIS) and the leaders of the Pacific ACP convened yesterday, marking the commencement of this year’s 54th series of meetings for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in Honiara.
The meetings took place in the conference room of the Forum Fisheries Agency.
During the SIS meeting HE Wesley Simina, the outgoing Chair of the Small Island States and President of the Federated States of Micronesia, transferred the chairmanship to HE Taneti Maamau, the president of the Republic of Kiribati.
“Our remoteness and vulnerability do not signify weakness; rather, they serve as enduring reminders of the necessity for the SIS to remain united. Our collective presence underscores that true Pacific solidarity is not measured by averages, but by our capacity to uplift the most vulnerable among us,” stated Simina.
In response to former Chair H.E. Simina, the Chair of SIS expressed his honor in taking on the role of Chair for the Smaller Island States at this significant juncture in their shared journey.
“I appreciate your trust and support in this position. The discussions we engage in today hold significance that extends far beyond this room. They will influence the visibility of the Smaller Island States in the wider Forum discussions this week, and they will convey a message to our partners and the international community,” Maamau said.
The gathering of the Pacific ACP leaders also commenced with the official transfer of the Pacific ACP Leaders chairmanship, moving from Dr. Aisake Eke, Prime Minister of Tonga, to Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands.
“As the Solomon Islands takes on the leadership of our Pacific ACP initiatives, we do so with a keen awareness of the responsibilities that lie ahead.
“On behalf of the Government and the People of the Solomon Islands, I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to each of you in the Solomon Islands. It is both an honour and a privilege to host this meeting of the Pacific ACP Leaders here in Honiara,” stated the chair of the Pacific ACP Leaders, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
“Our objective is to build upon this foundation and steer our collective efforts during a time when our Blue Pacific region is confronted with increased challenges, as well as new opportunities,” he added.