Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and Solomon Islands Minister for Development Planning and Aid Co-ordination Danny Philip has signed a new Solomon Islands-Australia Aid Partnership.   The Partnership sets out the Solomon Islands and Australian Governments shared vision for cooperation over the next three years to improve people's lives.  It will focus on stimulating economic growth, improving health, education and gender equality outcomes and supporting ongoing stability. "Australia is committed to build on the success of RAMSI", Minister Fierravanti-Wells said, "through our long-standing development program, we will continue to support sustained. inclusive economic growth, stability and poverty reduction in Solomon Islands". Under the Partnership, Minister Fierravanti-Wells announced that Australia has committed up to AUD17 million for the Tina River Hydropower Development Pro...

OPPOSITION Leader Honorable Jeremiah Manele has conveyed his gratitude to the 15 member states of the Pacific Islands Forum that makes up RAMSI. In his statement in Parliament Tuesday this week, Mr Manele took time to acknowledge the contribution of the 15 member states of the Pacific Islands Forum. “Tagio tumas Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Marshall Islands, FSM, Palau, Nauru, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Cook Islands for helping us through RAMSI,” he said. The Opposition Leader also commended in particular the lead role played by Australia and New Zealand. “I thank the Australian Government and its people for the huge financial contribution of 2.8 billion dollars towards RAMSI. The Parliamentary Opposition is also grateful for Australia’s ongoing bilateral assistance towards other sectors such as education and health in Solomon Islands,” he said. The Parliamentary Opposition Leader also paid tribute to the six RAMSI personnel who...

Members of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) hosted a luncheon yesterday afternoon with the visiting Pacific Islands Forum leaders as part of the weeklong RAMSI Farewell celebrations. The luncheon was hosted by SICCI on behalf of the private sector proudly sponsored by ANZ, BSP and Solomon Airlines for leaders and delegates of PIF nations in the Regional Mission Assistance to Solomon Islands. The lunch was attended by the Hon Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, General Secretary of PIFs Dame Meg Taylor, 16 PIFs leaders, Diplomatic Corps, SIG and RAMSI officials, and members of the chamber. SICCI Chair Jay Bartlett opened the occasion with a moving speech reflecting on the achievements of the mission but also looking forward to opportunities that lay ahead for the Solomon Islands. “It’s important that we view these opportunities and challenges not from a business or political point of view, but as a united country with a common vision th...

FORMER Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has joined citizens and leaders around the country in conveying his sincere gratitude to the Regional Assistance to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). In a statement today, Mr Lilo on behalf of himself and Madam Bronwyn thanked Australia, New Zealand and all the other 13 Pacific Island nations for their services to the Solomon Islands. The former Prime Minister said RAMSI was a facilitating engagement and not an occupying force or interventionist. Former PM Lilo & Nick Warner “RAMSI is a true friend indeed; it responded to our nation’s call that ensured peace and state building.  RAMSI has helped real champions of peace and reforms to emerge so prominent and overwhelmingly beyond the lawlessness, ruthlessness and recklessness,” he said. Mr Lilo said as RAMSI departs, he hopes all our beloved, peaceful citizens and the reformers will prevail beyond RAMSI for a peaceful and prosperous Solomon Islands into the future. “Ta...

Deployment of the long-anticipated submarine cable system is now due to start with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Co-operation between the Solomon Islands Government and Huawei International in Honiara today. Other documents signed today included the main turnkey contract for supply between the Solomon Submarine Cable and Huawei International. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Board of the Solomon Submarine Cable (SSC) announced the start of the deployment of the long-anticipated submarine cable system with the signing of the MOU. PM Sogavare flanked by top officials from Huawei after signing ceremony The system will comprise 2 optical fibre pair cable International link from Sydney to Honiara which will have a potential capacity of 2.5 Terrabits/s plus a domestic network linking Noro in the Western Province and Auki in Malaita Province with Honiara.   The system includes a Branching Unit in the International section for pos...

Future generations who have not had the opportunity to see and meet the champions (RAMSI) in person will do so through the Exhibition of official publications relating to RAMSI's 14 year intervention. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told guests and the public who gathered to witness  the launch of the exhibitions that the exhibitions were not only beautiful, but a reminder to Solomon Islanders about national  history. “I am pleased to say that this collaborative partnership, explained through this valuable exhibition will remind Solomon Islands and its generation that RAMSI was once here to help this nation and they have changed the narrative of our history.” Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare  has described the launch of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) Exhibition as a culmination of a long  partnership between the country and the mission. The Prime Minister said the exhibition will also be a source of inform...

"We owe our gratitude to RAMSI and all the participating nations" said SICCI Chair, Jay Bartlett.  As RAMSI is finally concluding its work, the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), is joining the rest of the country in thanking RAMSI for their 14 years in Solomon Islands. “Our economy was at its lowest 14 years ago. Today we have come a long way from those days. Businesses are flourishing once again. Foreign investors and donors have returned with their confidence restored and the Solomon Islands economy recovered. “Perhaps the biggest challenge for us as a country is to take ownership and sustain what has been achieved from the RAMSI partnership. “There are many lessons that we can learn from and build on for the challenges we face as a nation in the coming years. “The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry on behalf of the private sector would like to thank RAMSI for   the partnership in restoring peace and stability we enjoy ...

A special session of Parliament will be convened next Tuesday, June 27, to allow the tabling and deliberation of the End of Mission Report on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare will table the RAMSI End of Mission Report 2003-17, which covers the activities of the Australian-led mission during its almost 14 years of operation in Solomon Islands. Australia troops leaving Solomon Islands (Photo credit Australian Government Department of Defense) The Solomon Islands Government Special Secretary to RAMSI, John Wasi said the motion will provide an opportunity for the Solomon Islands Government to thank RAMSI and leaders of RAMSI Participating countries- Pacific Island Forum Member countries- for their invaluable service and support under the RAMSI partnership. Mr Wasi said it is only fitting that the Solomon Islands Government formally thank RAMSI and the Government leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum member cou...

The Security Treaty to be signed between Solomon Islands and Australia in the near future will allow Australia to help Solomon Islands out of any further security issues in the post-RAMSI era.  Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare echoed this sentiment prior to the week long program of celebrations in Honiara to farewell RAMSI. The Prime Minister in a recent interview for the Farewell RAMSI Radio program on the National Broadcaster, SIBC said,  “The whole event (Farewell RAMSI Celebrations) marks a new chapter for Solomon Islanders to step forward and take ownership of this country, take ownership of government policies and our national direction. The Prime Minister said the good thing that Solomon Islanders must be reminded of on the eve of the RAMSI departure is that RAMSI will not take away with it the potentials of Solomon Islands when it leaves.  He was referring to the country’s  human and natural resources.   Rather, he sa...

"Inclusive societies create an environment conducive to sustainable development" says Head of UN Joint Presence Office in Solomon Islands  to the first ever graduates of peace building and livelihood training skills supported by UN Peace building in partnership with Coconut Technology Center.   Nineteen youths from communities in North Malaita and Weathercoast completed the 10 day course that ended on June 20, 2017.  The topics covered in the training are peace building and conflict resolutions, tree planting, agriculture and community resources and opportunities DMEs and writing of action plans, value of organic farming, opportunities in native fruit trees and ngali nuts, basic business, pricing and record keeping. At the graduating ceremony, Ms. Azusa Kubota, Head of UN Joint Presence Office in Solomon Islands said, “Sustainable development underpins  lasting peace, and peaceful and inclusive societies create an environment conducive to sustainable development...

THE Parliamentary Opposition Group has called on the Minister of Finance & Treasury Snyder Rini to tell the truth about the current financial situation of the country. In a statement today, the Opposition Group said it is only hypocritical to keep on denying that there is no serious financial problem. “This is not the first time we are raising this issue. The last time we did, the Finance Minister has denied any cash flow difficulty and that our finances are stable. However, it has not been reflective of the frequent problems of payments to service providers, suppliers, contractors and our students under scholarships,” it said. The Opposition Group also said the recent revelation by the NTU director in the Solomon Star Wednesday this week that the ‘Government basket is empty’ is alarming. “The fact that it has been revealed in this case relating to the delay of payment of allowances to students overseas is a worrying situation,” it said. (L) Finance Minister ...

The Solomon Islands Government has been called on to seriously review all arrangements in sending its students to AMA Computer University in Philippines for studies. In a statement today, the Opposition Group said information received by its office pointed out that it is very expensive to send students there.  The Opposition Group said, it is not only costly but the quality of education provided is highly questionable. “We have received information from informants in Philippines that multinational highly technical IT Firms in Philippines regard AMA as one of the least Universities in the country because of the lack of quality education it provides,” the Opposition Office stated. The Opposition Office statement also stated that reports reaching its office also pointed out that AMA is a Private, For-Profit Education; reportedly operating as a private business. “Traditional Colleges or Universities are usually Non-Profit. Non-profit in the sense that most of the incom...

The Opposition Group in a statement today said it had been three years, yet there are no concrete information regarding the progress of major projects in Malaita province. THE Parliamentary Opposition Group urged the Government to inform the nation on the current status of the major projects in Malaita Province. “The Opposition believes the Government particularly the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC) have a responsibility to explain to our citizens especially the people of Malaita on the current status of these projects,” it said. The Opposition said the projects in Malaita highlighted are:  ·          Auluta Palm Oil Project ·          Waisisi Palm Oil Project ·          Bina Harbor Industrial Township Project ·          Suava Tuna Canning Project ·      ...

The weeklong Ocean Summit concluded with the adoption by consensus of a 14-point Call for Action where the participating Heads of State and Government and senior representatives affirmed strong commitment to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources tor sustainable development. The main points from the political document and the summit discussions will be part of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development ( HLPF ), the UN's central body for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs adopted in September 2015. The HLPF is scheduled to meet next month in New York. ENDS///

Solomon Islands is guided by its government’s National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-2035 to rationalize and enhance coordination as well as to implement all of its ocean related legislations. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade said this framework is spearheaded by Oceans 12 which is made up of our Government’s leading ministries responsible for the management of the ocean space that surround our country and marine life that occur therein.   He said in our efforts to address Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, Solomon Islands, as a member of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, has employed the purse seine Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) to monitor fishing efforts within its waters. Minister Tozaka added that as a member of the Coral Triangle Initiative, Solomon Islands has been implementing a coordinated approach to marine and coastal management with the leadership of its government which focuses on people-centered natural resource management. ...

Great challenges remain before the Pacific, from collapsing fisheries and plastic pollution to ocean warming and ocean acidification says Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Milner Tozaka. He said these frameworks remain relevant today and their implementation will also complement the UN Sustainable Development Goal14 (SDG14), which emphasises the conservation and sustainable of the oceans, seas and marine resources. Minister Tozaka said these challenges threaten the integrity of the marine ecosystems around the world and survival and prosperity cannot be guaranteed if the destruction to the oceans’ natural capital is not reversed. He added that the burden of conserving the oceans’ resources should not disproportionately fall on the Pacific and on that note called for the continued support from development partners to share the burden associated with effective implementation. ENDS///

Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Milner Tozaka said the Ocean's Conference marked a significant milestone for the United Nations in the era of the SDGs and commended its focus to achieving the targets set out in Sustainable Development Goal 14.   The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade said h e welcomed the summit’s Call to Action which underscores the strong political will to address measures that address the deteriorating health of our ocean and its resources, saying that, “ Concrete action on the ground should now be our measure for success.” Minister Tozaka said Solomon Islands along with its neighbouring Pacific Island states fully understand that the Ocean and marine life are their most important resources and they cut across the three dimensions of sustainable development. “Solomon Islands along with its Pacific neighbours know that we are stewards of the largest expanse of Ocean in the world and its bountiful resource base. The oc...