[Published on Saturday, March 28, 2026]
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Yato Protected Area—recognized as the largest protected area in the Solomon Islands, covering more than 11,000 hectares—was officially launched on Friday in Makira Ulawa province.
The launch marks a proud and historic milestone for Makira Ulawa, signalling the beginning of a new era in conservation, while positioning the province as a leader in conservation, both nationally and across the region.
Speaking at the event, Premier Stanley Siapu acknowledged the Atawa and Amwea tribes, along with the Yato communities, for their bold decision 14 years ago to move away from short-term logging income and pursue a sustainable, long-term conservation pathway.
“Fourteen years of persistence, partnership, consultation, and patience have finally been fulfilled. The decision you made is a true manifestation of leadership.
“You have demonstrated that development must not come at the cost of our environment, our culture, and our future,” he said.
Premier Siapu also recognised the contributions of key partners, including the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Live & Learn Solomon Islands, Nakau programme, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the University of Rochester, and the Solomon Islands Threshold Program, among others.
He assured continued collaboration, stating that the provincial government will strengthen its policy and institutional frameworks for protected areas.
He said they will ensure such initiatives are integrated into a coordinated provincial development system through close cooperation among stakeholders.
The premier also calls for Yato and other conservation initiatives to align with provincial ordinances, policies, and development frameworks.
On economic development, Siapu emphasised that the Yato initiative is not only about conservation, but also about transformation – describing it as conservation with development.
He said the Yato Protected Area will create opportunities for sustainable forest financing, carbon-related income streams, eco-tourism development, and long-term livelihood security for landowners in Makira Ulawa province.
Premier Siapu described the initiative as a new chapter in the province’s development—moving away from unsustainable resource extraction towards stable, predictable, and community-driven economic models.
He said the model can serve not only Makira Ulawa but the entire Solomon Islands.
The premier encourages the people of Yato to take ownership of the achievement, while reaffirming his government’s full support for the initiative.
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