BY ALICE T CAMPBELL
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) has announced strengthening of ties with the United States of America.
MFAET deputy Secretary Hickson George met with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, Mathew Murray, in a high-level briefing that aims to deepen Solomon Islands–US relations.
The meeting is built on earlier discussions between Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in Honolulu on February 23, 2026.
This highlighted outcomes from the recent US-Pacific Summit. Cooperation under three key pillars – Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity – was emphasised, a statement from MFEAT on Saturday said.
Key agenda items included finalising an Investment Incentive Agreement with the US Development Finance Corporation by 2026, strengthening public-private partnerships, enhancing national security cooperation, and increasing support for unexploded ordnance clearance.
Other areas of focus were human rights, anti-trafficking initiatives, tackling illegal fishing, and progressing a Peace Corps agreement, MFAET said.
Solomon Islands reaffirmed its commitment to completing the Millennium Challenge Corporation Threshold Program (MCC) by August 2027, with hopes of qualifying for a full Compact Agreement. Infrastructure support for small businesses and tourism operators was also prioritised.
As a major outcome, the United States pledged to follow up on key issues, noting a ‘reset’ in its approach to relations with Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Islands government expressed strong interest in establishing a Development Corporation to attract US-aligned private sector investment in energy, ports, telecommunications, healthcare, digital infrastructure, and financial services.
Photo credit: MFAET
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