BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Solomon–Nihon JICA Alumni Association (SNJAA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening development ties between Solomon Islands and Japan.
This comes following a successful Knowledge Sharing Seminar and Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on January 30, 2026, in Honiara.
The event, hosted at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel, brought together JICA alumni, representatives from the JICA Solomon Islands Office, the Embassy of Japan, and invited guests.
The program featured welcome remarks, presentations by short- and long-term training participants, a review of SNJAA’s 2025 activities, and the election of new executive members.
SNJAA was formed by Solomon Islands government officers who completed long and short-term training programs in Japan under the JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP).
In Japan’s 2025 fiscal year, the association carried out several JICA-supported initiatives, including waste management awareness and cleanup campaigns in communities.
During the seminar, Helina Leua, a registered nurse-midwife who attended short-term training on Maternal and Neonatal Health and Clinical Care at Kansai University, shared her experience.
Aengari James Russell of Solomon Tobacco, who completed a Master’s in Business Administration at the International University of Japan, also delivered a presentation.
The JICA Solomon Islands Office Resident Representative congratulated the association for successfully hosting the event and commended alumni for their continued contributions.
Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Solomon Islands has exceeded 58 billion Yen, supporting major infrastructure developments including airports, seaports, roads, bridges, water supply systems, markets, and hospitals.
Up to 2025, approximately 1,350 Solomon Islanders have participated in JICA’s KCCP programs, with more than 20 attending training in Japan in 2025 alone.
The newly elected SNJAA executive members are: President Mr. David Houpere (SINU), Vice President Ms. June Rofeta Maenuu’u (MFAET), Treasurer Mr. Wilson Kiyo (MFMR), Secretary Ms. Florence Bataanisia (OPMC), and staff members Mr. James R. Aengari (SITCO) and Ms. Ella Lynthia Simata (SINU).
Mr. Houpere thanked members for their trust and pledged to continue building on the association’s progress while working closely with former executives and JICA partners.
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