The value of mutual prosperity through ongoing cooperation and strategic partnerships between the Pacific Islands Forum and the Republic of Korea was reinforced during the   4th   Korea-Pacific Islands Senior Official’s Meeting in   Busan   this week. Recognising   the strong relationship that already exists, representative of the Forum Chair, Mr Samson   Pretrick   of the Federated States of Micronesia said in his opening statement “I would like to congratulate the Government of the Republic of Korea for its clear demonstration of commitment to our region as a Post-Forum   Dialogue   partner.” The talks   focussed   heavily on the Forum’s priority areas of climate change and disaster risk management, maritime and fisheries issues, and development cooperation. Officials from both parties   emphasised   the importance of global action to address the negative impacts of climate change, and Korea was   recogn...

Solomon Islands this week has joined other Pacific Island States to lead the Shipping Industry debate on Climate Change in London. Global attention on climate change is focused this week on the role of shipping as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) meets in London. International Shipping is a major and growing greenhouse gas emissions generating sector. Compared to a country, the shipping’s emissions are similar to that of Germany or Japan. These emissions are projected to grow to equivalent of all of Europe’s emissions by 2050. This would undermine all international efforts to achieve a 1.5 degree target. Pacific States, led by Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands with support from Fiji and Tonga have been actively calling on the IMO to take urgent and ambitious action to develop a clear work plan for reduction of shipping’s contribution to climate change causing emissions. Early last year, Marshall Islands is the only submitter on this critical iss...

The relationship between China and the Pacific Islands Forum was further strengthened with the handing over of USD $1.05 million by the Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, Mr. ZHANG Ping to Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor. During the ceremony Ambassador ZHANG Ping reiterated the importance of the relationship saying “This donation from the Chinese Government to the China-PIF Cooperative Fund for the year 2016 is another demonstration of China’s sincerity and willingness in seeking common development prosperity with Pacific Islands Countries.” Secretary General Taylor added, “During the past year we’ve had a number of high level visits from China and that, I think, sends a very strong signal to the region that China is very interested in our development and what we are trying to do. On behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum I wish to express a deep appreciation for the ongoing support from China as a partner to the region, both as a Post-Forum...

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) has described the front-page article in the Island Sun newspaper on Monday 17 th October regarding the alleged sacking of the Accountant General and the purported delays in payments as a “deliberate attempt to distort the truth and to mislead the Public” The Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) confirms that the Accountant-General had not been “sitting on payments” for dubious reasons, which it claims to have compounded the situation.  “This is far from the truth, if not a deliberate distorted account of the normal payment procedures in Treasury,” a statement from the Ministry said. MOFT, through the primary roles of the Permanent Secretary for Finance and Accountant-General are responsible under the Public Financial Management Act to advice the Minister of Finance and the Government on measures that ensure financial stability and proper use of public funds for the purpose it was intended for.   To dat...

The former Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo has rebuffed allegations & speculations made against him on the issue of Tax free exemption for Members of Parliament in Solomon Islands.  In an exclusive interview with Mr. Lilo, he says he is aware of speculations that he was responsible for the initiative of the Tax free entitlement for Members of Parliament during his time as Prime Minister. Mr. Lilo said, as an Economist, he is well aware of the repercussion this would have on people, especially on the issues of justice and equality.  The former Prime Minister said, had this piece of document been there before him during his time, he would object to it immediately.  He said in his capacity as an Economist, there is no logic as to why these Members of Parliament should be exempted from paying tax.  He said only citizens under the threshold minimum wage standard would be exempted from paying tax, under the income tax act. Gordon Darcy Lilo (Photo ABC) Howeve...

Two Solomon Islands diplomats have been commissioned by the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui in Honiara today. His Excellency, Joseph Pius Waleanisia has been commissioned as the new Solomon Islands Ambassador to the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan while His Excellency John Patterson Oti was commissioned as Solomon Islands Non-resident High Commissioner to the Republic of Vanuatu. L-R: Hon Milner Tozaka, H.E Sir Frank Kabui & H.E Joseph Waleanisia Mr Oti is the current Solomon Islands High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji, based in Suva. Mr Waleanisia was recently the former Secretary to the Prime Minister prior to being appointed as Ambassador. The Governor General Sir Frank Kabui expressed confidence in the two diplomats and reminded them of their foremost tasks to represent and promote the interests of the Government of Solomon Islands in the country to which they have been accredited. “The Government and people of Solomon Islands expect you to provi...

A school in one of Solomon Islands remote atoll islands is the latest recipient of computers donated by the Government of Georgia under a bilateral agreement with the Solomon Islands Government. Representatives of Tapuaki Community High School on Sikaiana Island in the Malaita Outer Islands have received three desktop computers on Friday 7 th October in Honiara. Tapuaki Community High School is the second recipient in two weeks to receive computers under this bilateral agreement. The Georgian Government had promised in 2012 to distribute 1000 computers to Solomon Islands through the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. William Soaki, said the School has met the requirements to receive assistance given its geographical location and the Ministry was happy to assist upon receiving the school’s request. School Principal, Mr Thomas Sapiuaka said they were thankful to the Georgian Government’s support...

Solomon Islands Nationals can now travel visa free to all EU member states following the signing of the SI-EU Short Stay Visa Waiver Agreement which facilitates this visa free travel to Europe. Solomon Islands Ambassador to the European Union, HE Mr Moses Kouni Mose and the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic (representing the current EU Presidency) HE Mr Peter Javocyk, and Ms Belinda Pyke, Director for Migration, Mobility and Innovation, DG-Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission signed the agreement on Friday 7th October in Brussels. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Mose commended the European Union for this historic milestone Agreement in deepening the existing relationship and cooperation between Solomon Islands and the European Union. The Agreement marks a new chapter in the SI-EU relation, which signifies mutual trust and maturity in the partnership. Ambassador Mose, EU Presidency Representative, HE Mr Peter Javocy...

Government Officers responsible for implementing the Development budget projects and programmes and achieving the vision of the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-35 began their Certificate IV in Project Management Practice this week.  The course was officially launched in Honiara by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Co-ordination (MDPAC) Mr Shadrach Fanega.  PS Fanega warmly welcomed course tutor Mr Neil Sharma from USP Pacific TAFE and assistant facilitator from IPAM, Mr Steven Amasia along with students enrolled in the Project Management in Practice Certificate IV course.  Mr Fanega reminded officers of the recent launch of the 20 year National Development Strategy (NDS) (2016-35) in April this year and the importance of the project management training as providing a step closer to achieving the vision of the NDS and implementation of its strategies.  “The NDS includes 15 medium term strategies, to achieve...

The Solomon Islands Government has recognized that excise and import duty on tobacco is due to be updated. In determining the increase, the Government has considered the impact on consumers, as well as the need to mitigate the harmful effects of smoking. From 1 October 2016, the rate of excise payable on domestically produced tobacco products will increase by 10%, and will be charged at the following rates. Manufactured plug, fig, twist, stick, cake and coarse-cut tobacco: $80.59 per kg Cigarettes, containing tobacco with tar content not more than 10 milligrams per cigarette: $0.35 per stick Cigarettes, containing tobacco with tar content more than 10 milligrams per cigarette: $675.47 per kg The Import duty payable on tobacco will also increase by 10% and be charged at the following rates. Unmanufactured tobacco; tobacco refuse: 21.78% per kg Cigars, cheroots an cigarillos, containing tobacco: $762.74 per kg Cigarettes containing ...

Health workers in the maternal health care field are advancing their knowledge and capacity in a two-day training provided by the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, on the effective use of Maternal Death Surveillance and Response or MDSR. MDSR is a strategy for the improvement of the quality of maternal health care, which will ideally, lead to a reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality. Implemented correctly, MDSR can potentially provide critical evidence of the progeny – whether community or health system-based - of maternal health challenges. PD Conference (Picture by Ariela Zibiah UNFPA Pacific)  MDSR enables targeted responses to prevent deaths, with the ultimate goal of eliminating all preventable maternal deaths. The training is conducted by UNFPA Reproductive Health Adviser Dr Pulane Tlebere; participants mainly comprise rural-based health workers.  “The UNFPA believes MDSR is a powerful tool that is not only used to systematically highlight the rea...

A National Population Policy 2017 – 2026 has been launched by the Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Hon. Danny Philip. The primary goal of this policy is to improve the quality of life through more effective planning of the country’s development efforts.  Speaking during the launch, Hon Philip emphasizes that the Population Policy 2017 – 2026 is not a ‘population control’ policy.  He says it does not intend to advise families in how many children they can have, nor is it to control the population movement within the country.  Rather he says, the policy is consistent with the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016 – 35 and other sector plans.  Mr. Philip says the Policy takes into consideration other existing sector policies, hence the reason why only the most pertinent population and development agenda is included in the document.  The policy has been formulated with the country's own cultural values in mind. Also speaking dur...

A report on the inquiry into the Solomon Islands Port Authority Reforms has been concluded and handed over to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare today. The Government has established the Commission of Inquiry in June this year to look into the governance and the much publicized controversies surrounding the SIPA Reforms. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said he would consider the report and take steps to address the issues highlighted in the report when appropriate. The Commission started its inquiry on 13 th June 2016 and over three and a half months gathered a considerable amount of material documents, and interviewed over 50 selected witnesses who provided valuable information into the inquiry.  Hearings by the Commission were privately conducted and during the course of the inquiry, confidentiality has been upheld and extra care has been taken on disclosures to the public to avoid misrepresentation and misinterpretation. The Commission is now in the proces...