Dry conditions linked to El Niño raise concerns that bushfires could expose unexploded World War II bombs in Solomon Islands. Dry conditions associated with the current El Niño event are raising concerns about the potential for bushfires to expose unexploded World War II bombs in former battle areas of Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands Meteorological [...]
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
The Solomon Islands Government has secured approximately SBD16.4 million (US$2.02 million) in funding from the Government of Italy to support climate resilience and energy projects.
According to the Ministry of foreign Affairs & External Trade (MFAET), the funding was approved during the 19th Joint Committee meeting under the Cooperation Programme between Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) and Austria, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain, held at the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations in New York on October 20, 2026.
The two project proposals were presented by Solomon Islands Chargé affairs and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fiona Indu, and subsequently approved by the committee.
The first project which is focused on environment and climate-resilient infrastructure, received US$1.037 million to support the development of climate-resilient facilities at Su’umoli Wharf.
The funding will be channelled through the National Transport Fund (NTF), with implementation led by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).
The second project, known as SINERGY, has been allocated US$987,000 to promote integrated nature-based solutions and renewable energy initiatives that aim to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the country’s agrifood systems.
The project will be jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM).
Following the approval, Ms Indu expressed the Solomon Islands Government’s appreciation to Italy for its financial assistance.
She also acknowledged Austria, Luxembourg and Spain for their continued cooperation and support towards the development priorities of Pacific Island countries.
The Cooperation Programme brings together Pacific Small Island Developing States and the four European partners to support development initiatives across the region.
Over the past 19 years, the partnership has contributed to addressing development challenges and climate vulnerabilities facing Pacific Island countries.
The approval of the two projects marks another important step in strengthening Solomon Islands’ international partnerships and securing support for climate resilience, renewable energy and sustainable development.
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Babatana forest conservation helps protect water sources and support tribal communities in Choiseul during dry conditions. By Cornelius Qaqara, South Choiseul Province The Babatana Rainforest Conservation Project is located in Babatana Ward, South Choiseul, Choiseul Province, Solomon Islands. The project is an important example of how Indigenous tribal communities can protect their forests while supporting their [...]
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BY JOSES SAREN
Temotu Province wants the Melanesian Corridor Project to deliver practical support to remote islands, strengthen local capacity and protect marine resources as it begins work across Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
The project aims to strengthen cooperation across Melanesia by supporting resilient communities, sustainable livelihoods and inclusive economic development.
Temotu Provincial Government Premier Stanley Tehiahua outlined the province’s priorities at the official launch of the Melanesian Corridor (MELCOR) Project in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on October 28, a press release from the Temotu Provincial Government said.
He said the four priorities of the project are; to reach outer islands and smaller communities, build local capacity that will remain after the project ends, strengthen ocean and environmental stewardship, and ensure that women, young people and traditional leaders are involved while local customs and values are respected.
Premier Tehiahua said Temotu’s scattered islands and distance from major service centres makes it important for the project to reach smaller communities, not just provincial centres.
“Temotu is the most remote province of Solomon Islands, with islands scattered across about 1,700 kilometres of ocean.
“A corridor connects what the sea has separated. The Melanesian Corridor recognises that our islands are linked, not isolated,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of supporting Temotu’s Ocean Sanctuary and community rangers to protect the marine environment.
The Premier acknowledged that project resources are limited compared with the needs of island communities.
He said the province will use whatever funding allocation it receives to address its priorities and seek additional partners to expand the work.
“We see this as a great opportunity to elevate our efforts and to start from what we can do now,” he said.
Mr Tehiahua said the project’s objectives align with the Temotu Province Holistic Development Plan 2026–2040.
The MELCOR Project is funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Cowater International. In Vanuatu, it works with the Department of Ocean and Maritime Affairs and Regenerative Vanua. In Solomon Islands, its partners include the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) and Greenergy Pacific.
The launch brought together government officials, development partners and community representatives in Port Vila.
Premier Tehiahua thanked the Government of Canada, Cowater International and the other partners, and reaffirmed Temotu’s readiness to work with Torba Province in Vanuatu and other partners on the initiative.
Photo credit: TPG
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Government is taking serious measures to address climate change through investments in renewable energy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Derrick R. Manuari said the Munda Solar Hybrid Power Plant is part of the Government’s efforts to mitigate climate change and promote low-carbon development.
He said the country’s investments in renewable energy are centralised to its commitments under the Paris Agreement, including the gradual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Manuari said every unit of electricity generated from sunlight that replaces power produced by diesel generators presents an opportunity to reduce fossil fuel consumption and associated carbon emissions.
He explained that the Munda project could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1,000 to 1,300 tonnes annually by replacing diesel-generated electricity with solar power, depending on solar generation, system performance and the efficiency of the diesel generators displaced.
Manuari said the project will potentially avoid between 20,000 and 26,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, subject to actual operating conditions and the future electricity generation mix over 20 years.
“These are indicative estimates, not yet verified operational results. Nevertheless, they demonstrate the meaningful contribution that even a single provincial renewable energy project can make to our national climate objectives,” he said.
Manuari said the project contributed directly to the country’s efforts to address climate change while supporting the transition towards cleaner energy.
He noted that Solomon Islands, like other Small Island Developing States, contributed only a very small proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions but remained among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
“These impacts include rising sea levels, coastal erosion, changing rainfall patterns, extreme weather events and disruptions to people’s livelihoods,” Manuari said.
He said the country’s response to climate change must therefore combine adaptation measures with practical efforts to reduce emissions.
Manuari reiterated that the Munda Solar Hybrid Power Plant represents one such investment, using renewable energy to reduce reliance on diesel-generated electricity while supporting the country’s broader climate commitments.
The project is expected to contribute to improved energy security in Western Province while demonstrating how renewable energy investments can support both national development and climate change mitigation.
作者:本·比卢阿
吉佐
政府正在通过对可再生能源的投资采取严肃措施来应对气候变化,旨在减少温室气体排放和对化石燃料的依赖。
矿业、能源和农村电气化部长德里克·R·马努阿里(Derrick R. Manuari)表示,蒙达太阳能混合电厂(Munda Solar Hybrid Power Plant)是政府减缓气候变化和促进低碳发展的努力的一部分。
他说,该国在可再生能源方面的投资是其在《巴黎协定》下的承诺的核心,包括通过国家自主贡献(NDCs)逐步减少温室气体排放。
马努阿里表示,每一单位由阳光产生的电力替代柴油发电机产生的电力,都是减少化石燃料消费和相关碳排放的机会。
他解释说,蒙达项目每年可以减少约1000到1300吨的二氧化碳排放,具体取决于太阳能发电、系统性能和被替代的柴油发电机的效率。
马努阿里表示,该项目在20年内可能避免20000到26000吨的二氧化碳排放,具体取决于实际操作条件和未来的电力发电组合。
“这些是指示性估算,尚未经过验证的操作结果。尽管如此,它们展示了即使是一个省级可再生能源项目对我们国家气候目标的有意义贡献,”他说。
马努阿里表示,该项目直接支持国家应对气候变化的努力,同时支持向更清洁能源的过渡。
他指出,所罗门群岛与其他小岛屿发展中国家一样,仅占全球温室气体排放的极小比例,但仍然是最容易受到气候变化影响的国家之一。
“这些影响包括海平面上升、海岸侵蚀、降雨模式变化、极端天气事件和对人们生计的干扰,”马努阿里说。
因此,他表示,该国应对气候变化的措施必须结合适应措施与减少排放的实际努力。
马努阿里重申,蒙达太阳能混合电厂代表了这样一种投资,利用可再生能源减少对柴油发电电力的依赖,同时支持国家更广泛的气候承诺。
该项目预计将有助于改善西部省的能源安全,同时展示可再生能源投资如何支持国家发展和气候变化减缓。
Island SunEnvironment & Climate环境气候·2026-10-25Original ↗原文 ↗
New loans target reef-friendly businesses, local contractors and underserved communities
BY NED GAGAHE
THE Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) has launched two new financing initiatives targeting reef-friendly businesses and local contractors, alongside plans to expand digital banking services to rural and remote communities.
The initiatives aim to improve access to loans, strengthen climate resilience and create economic opportunities for small businesses that have traditionally struggled to secure formal financing.
Announced at DBSI’s Climate Impact Showcase in Honiara yesterday, the new facilities will support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the blue economy and local contractors delivering climate-resilient infrastructure through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund.
DBSI Chief Executive Officer Aisake Radu said the initiatives reflect confidence in the ability of Solomon Islanders to build businesses that generate economic value while protecting the country’s natural resources.
“This moment reflects a shared confidence in the potential of Solomon Islanders to build enterprises that generate economic value while safeguarding the natural assets on which future generations depend,” Radu said.
A key component is the new Blue Economy Finance Facility, which will provide concessional loans to businesses whose activities contribute to healthier coral reefs and sustainable livelihoods.
Eligible sectors include sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture and agroforestry, ecotourism, waste management and recycling.
Initial support will focus on Central, Malaita, Isabel and Western provinces, where coastal communities depend heavily on marine resources for food security and income.
The facility is part of the Coral Reef Resilience Project, led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), funded by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs and implemented by DBSI.
Under the arrangement, WWF will provide business development support and small grants to help enterprises become investment-ready, while UNCDF will contribute catalytic capital and technical assistance.
The initiative comes as many businesses operating in fisheries, tourism and other marine-related industries face difficulties accessing the finance needed to expand, create jobs and adopt more sustainable practices.
Healthy coral reefs support the livelihoods and food security of an estimated 335,000 Solomon Islanders, particularly those living in coastal communities.
The second financing initiative will support local contractors undertaking climate-resilient infrastructure and adaptation projects through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund.
The Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) Programme, funded by the governments of New Zealand and the European Union, identified opportunities for DBSI to help local businesses access financing as provincial governments increase investment in climate-resilient development.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Jonathan Curr said the financing could help local businesses expand their operations, create employment and adopt more sustainable practices while strengthening community resilience to climate impacts.
Alongside the financing facilities, DBSI is also working to expand digital financial services by using existing infrastructure and nationwide agent networks to bring banking services closer to rural and remote communities.
The initiative, supported by UNCDF through its Pacific Digital Economy Programme, aims to improve access to savings accounts, loans and other financial products for households and small businesses that remain underserved by traditional banking services.
The programme is funded by the governments of Australia and New Zealand and the European Union (EU).
DBSI said the initiatives build on its digital transformation, including the introduction of a core banking system and an expanded mandate for lending and deposit-taking.
The initiatives are also expected to support national efforts to strengthen green finance, financial inclusion and private-sector development, while contributing to the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
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Smithsonian Folkways, which sells her 1969 recording, says it keeps royalties in escrow when it has no contact details for an artist, and will contact her grandsons' foundation. Thirty years on, the letters about Deep Forest's use of her voice still disagree.
BY CHARLES STENNETT
A Marine Spatial Planning and Stakeholder Mapping Workshop is underway in Makira Ulawa Province with Ward Development Committee Chairpersons and relevant MUPG Officials facilitated by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
A statement from the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government on social media said the objectives of the workshop are to develop the MSP roadmap and plan for Makira Ulawa province, collect relevant data and information for Makira Ulawa MSP plan, improve the capacity of provincial stakeholders in MSP related work and to map out stakeholders and the scope of their work in Makira province.
It said the Marine Spatial Planning is a critical process for analysing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities within marine areas.
Its purpose is to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives defined through political processes.
MSP brings together diverse stakeholders with varying interests in the marine environment to collaboratively map and plan activities, ensuring that ecological, economic, and social benefits are maintained without disruption.
The statement said that under the Bezos Earth Fund project, Makira-Ulawa Province is one of three target provinces selected to benefit from the funding to advance their MSP roadmap in alignment with the National MSP Plan.
At the provincial level, the project will support the provincial government in developing and implementing a comprehensive MSP plan in partnership with provincial and national stakeholders.
Makira-Ulawa has been identified as a priority area by the National Government to advance its Marine Protected and Conserved Areas (MPCA) agenda, safeguarding the province’s ecological and cultural uniqueness within the marine environment.
To initiate MPCA work in Makira Province, a Marine Spatial Plan is required to guide the mapping of marine areas into distinct segments suitable for different human activities. Following the conclusion of this workshop, a clear map of unique areas should be produced to inform the initial process of designating MPCA sites.
“Stakeholder mapping is a key supporting activity within MSP as it identifies stakeholders engaged in marine-related work and clarifies their roles to avoid duplication or overlap. For Makira-Ulawa Province, this workshop is essential to define the scope of each stakeholder’s activities, gather relevant information, and ensure coordinated efforts within provincial waters,” the statement said.
Its goal is to develop a shared vision, spatial priorities, and a draft MSP roadmap and Plan for sustainable marine resource management in Makira Province.
The workshop is expected to end on Friday.
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BY JOSES SAREN
The three-day South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Board of Directors and Council of Tourism Ministers meeting opened in Honiara on Tuesday evening with an official welcome reception bringing together Pacific tourism ministers, regional leaders, industry representatives and development partners.
The reception at Pacific Crown Hotel marked the start of discussions that aim to strengthen tourism cooperation, improve regional connectivity and advance sustainable tourism development across the Blue Pacific.
SPTO Chairperson Adela Issachar Aru of Vanuatu welcomed the visiting ministers and delegates, and thanked the Solomon Islands Government for hosting the regional gathering.
She said the meeting is more than an annual gathering as it also provides an opportunity for Pacific countries to assess the direction of tourism and agree on practical actions to secure its future.
Ms Aru called for greater investment in research and innovation, stronger tourism businesses, improved access to finance and markets, and efforts to ensure tourism benefits reach communities throughout the region.
“We must invest in research and innovation, strengthen our tourism businesses and their resilience, improve access to finance and markets, and ensure that tourism benefits reach communities across our region,” she said.
She said regional cooperation will become increasingly important as Pacific countries navigate global uncertainty and growing climate pressures.
Solomon Islands Minister for Culture and Tourism James Bonuga also welcomed the visiting ministers and delegates, describing the gathering as an opportunity to strengthen relationships across the Pacific tourism family.
He thanked the visiting representatives for travelling to Solomon Islands and acknowledged the support of SPTO, development partners, sponsors and tourism industry stakeholders.
Prime Minister Matthew Wale, who officially welcomed the delegates, called for stronger regional cooperation to improve air connectivity, promote multi-destination travel and ensure tourism development delivers tangible benefits to local communities.
Mr Wale said Solomon Islands has much to learn from other Pacific destinations but also has its own contribution to make to the region’s tourism future.
He outlined three priorities for consideration during the meeting: better connectivity, sustainable and inclusive tourism, and stronger regional institutions.
He also announced that Solomon Islands will soft-launch its “Happy Isles” tourism brand at the close of the meeting.
The opening reception featured traditional Solomon Islands cultural welcomes, including a warrior escort, kastom drum beaters and a traditional welcome ceremony, alongside local cultural performances and a showcase of traditional cuisine.
The three-day programme brings together tourism ministers, SPTO board members, officials and industry stakeholders to discuss shared tourism priorities, strengthen partnerships and identify practical ways to advance tourism across the Pacific.
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The voice in Deep Forest's 1992 hit Sweet Lullaby is Afunakwa, a Baegu woman from Malaita, singing a lullaby about two orphans. A new film has found her family, who say none of the money reached them. In October the band began to name her.
BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) has started a three-day training program. The workshop is run by its Climate Change Division and focuses on the Integrated Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (iMRV) Adaptation Module. It takes place from 14 to 16 October 2026 at the ICT Conference Room on Lengakiki Road. Government workers from different ministries are joining to learn about climate change reports and information management.
According to the MECDM, this project helps the country do a better job of checking and sharing its climate activities. This work fits with the priorities of the Solomon Islands and international deals like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.
LEARNING NEW KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICAL COMPUTER SKILLS
The lessons teach workers about local climate changes, the Adaptation Information Management System (AIMS), and national rules for reports.
The students look at the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). They are also studying greenhouse gases, climate care, and support funding.
Government workers practicing data entry inside the new iMRV climate portal. Photo credit: MECDM
The workers are learning how the iMRV setup links with the AIMS computer network. The weather group groups information into four clear blocks: Activities, Projects, Programmes, and Actions.
The teachers are showing how to use the website, make new entries, set up user names, and control system rights. This helps all workers put in data the same way.
The final part of the training uses real computer tests. Workers open the iMRV site to make fake files for climate Actions, Programmes, and Projects. They type in details like weather dangers, work areas, main ministries, locations, dates, and project stories. They also check every file to fix mistakes.
BETTER REPORTS HELP FUTURE CLIMATE PLANNING
By teaching workers how to use the iMRV system, MECDM wants to make climate data clean, steady, and easy to find across all ministries.
Better records will help departments follow climate progress, make good decisions based on facts, and give correct details to world climate groups.
This training is a big step for teamwork and open records as the Solomon Islands moves forward with its green goals and builds a safer country.
[Participants at the MECDM iMRV climate reporting training workshop in Honiara, group photo. Photo credit: MECDM]
Marovo Lagoon faces possible risks to marine life as low sea levels linked to El Niño affect parts of Solomon Islands, the meteorological service warns.
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Global climate talks end without agreement on key scientific reports as Pacific climate groups warn that delays could affect the 2028 climate review.
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-Malaita youths kick off clean-up campaign ahead of Malaita Provincial Second Appointed Day celebrations
BY RODRICK DESURI
AUKI
Youths in Malaita Province, together with staff of the Malaita Provincial Government, have kicked off a clean-up campaign around the provincial government office building in Auki yesterday.
Speaking during the launch, Provincial Youth Coordinator Frank Samo said the campaign is being led by young people in the province.
He expressed that this is also an opportunity for them to experience and demonstrate leadership in action.
“Through this clean-up campaign, we are giving our youths an opportunity to demonstrate leadership through action,” he said.
“We want our young people to understand that leadership is not only about holding a position or giving instructions, but leadership is also about taking a broom, collecting rubbish, cleaning public spaces, protecting our environment, and encouraging others to do the right thing,” he added.
The campaign follows its official launch on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, under the theme “Empowering Youth in Partnership and Transformative Development”.
The initiative aims to prepare the province for the Malaita Provincial Second Appointed Day celebrations next month.
The annual event, traditionally held on August 15, was deferred to November 11 this year.
Samo also reminded the youths that true leaders do not wait for others to make their communities better but take the first step themselves.
The campaign highlight the role of young people in promoting environmental cleanliness, community responsibility and active leadership as Malaita Province prepares for its annual Second Appointed Day celebrations.
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BY CHARLES STENNETT
Solomon Islands’ progress in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), was among the key highlights of the Bismarck Solomon Seascape (BSS), Marine Spatial Planning Workshop held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea recently.
A statement from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), said a four-day workshop brought together representatives from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Indonesia, alongside marine conservation organisations, ocean governance institutions and regional partners, to exchange experiences and identify practical actions to strengthen marine management across the region.
In the workshop, Solomon Islands shared progress on its Marine Spatial Planning framework and Plan, building on important groundwork supported through the GIZ-funded Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management in Pacific Island Countries (MACBIO), project.
“This experience provided valuable lessons for regional partners working to improve the coordination and sustainable management of their marine and coastal resources.” the statement said.
Participants also learned from Indonesia’s more advanced MSP implementation and explored international experiences in transboundary marine planning, including the Wadden Sea in Europe and Angola in Africa.
Discussions further examined the globally recognised 10-step MSP process and the potential links between Papua New Guinea’s MOCOR framework and the BSS agenda.
The statement said that for Papua New Guinea, the workshop highlighted the need for a coordinated National Marine Spatial Plan to strengthen ocean governance and guide the sustainable use and management of its marine space.
It emphasised that the marine ecosystems connecting Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia require a coordinated regional approach, supported by effective national policies, institutional collaboration and practical action.
Organisers and participants acknowledged the contributions of the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF), and other regional partners in supporting ocean governance and cooperation.
“The Bismarck Solomon Seascape initiative provides an important platform for countries to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships and advance marine conservation and sustainable ocean management across national boundaries.
“As Solomon Islands continues to advance its Marine Spatial Planning agenda, regional exchanges such as this workshop offer an important opportunity to build on existing progress, learn from neighboring countries and translate shared commitments into meaningful action for the region’s oceans,” the statement said.
Photo credit: MFMR
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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The severe four-month of dry weather caused by the current EL Nino has led to a massive fish die-off at Zaira, a community-run conservation site on the weathercoast of Vangunu Island in Marovo Lagoon, Western Province.
Community elder Mr Enola Vendi told Island Sun that local rangers discovered the dead fish washed ashore on Tuesday, October 13 during their daily monitoring routine.
“The disaster happened in a lake located inside a reef, which is one of four protected lakes at the site. Since July, the sea level has been very low. We believe this might link to the current long period of dry weather due to the current El Nino,” he said.
“Because of the ongoing dry weather, normal high tides could not reach the lake. This stopped fresh seawater from flowing in, causing the isolated lake water to become dangerously hot,” Vendi added.
He said the conservation committee opened the protected area on Wednesday last week so the community could harvest them seeing that the fish were in danger from the rising heat.
“However, because Zaira is a small village, the population could not catch them all before the crisis hit,” he said.
He said that rangers had noticed that the fish were already weak and very easy to catch as of Thursday and Friday last week.
“On Sunday, October 11, the fish started dying in the hot lake. Then, on Tuesday, October 13, large ocean swells finally reached the lake and washed the dead fish onto the shore,” he said.
He said rangers are now writing a report on the disaster to send to their partner Non government organizations (NGOs) to ask for help and advice.
The conservation site is managed by 200 residents and customary landowners from the Dokoso, Sugili, and Tavoamai tribes across communities like Zaira, Bopo, Tige, and Niniveh.
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Western Provincial Government (WPG) has acknowledged the Community-Based Resource Management (CBRM) Forum, describing community participation as a way forward in protecting and sustainably managing the province’s marine resources.
Speaking at the forum, WPG representative Jacob Mazini said marine resources in Western Province continue to face increasing pressure from human activities and natural threats.
He said protecting marine resources required more than government policies and regulations, stressing the need for strong partnerships between government, communities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders.
“It requires strong partnerships between government, our communities, NGOs and all stakeholders working together,” Mazini said.
He said community-based resource management is an important strategy for protecting and managing natural resources, given that local communities are the custodians of these resources.
Mazini said empowering communities, involving them in decision-making and equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills will enable them to play a leading role in protecting the marine environment for future generations.
“As Western Provincial Government, we recognise the importance of strengthening community participation, improving coordination among stakeholders and ensuring that our resource management initiatives contribute to sustainable livelihoods and resilient communities,” he said.
Mazini said Western Province’s coastal and marine resources are among its greatest assets, providing food for families, supporting livelihoods, creating economic opportunities and forming an important part of local culture and identity.
He welcomed the proposed State of Community-Based Resource Management in Western Province report, saying it will help the provincial government and its partners better understand progress made, ongoing challenges and areas requiring greater attention and support.
Mazini said the forum provided an important opportunity for participants to share experiences, discuss challenges and identify practical priority actions to improve community-based coastal resource management across the province.
“I encourage all participants to contribute openly, share lessons from your work and identify practical actions that we can take forward together.
“Let us ensure that the discussions during this forum lead to stronger partnerships and meaningful outcomes for our communities,” he said.
Mazini thanked the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), WorldFish, participating organisations and communities for their continued commitment to protecting and sustainably managing Western Province’s natural resources.
[Photo: Jacob Mazini delivers his speech during the opening of the forum. Photo supplied]
BY BEN BILUA
GIZO
A THREE-DAY Community-Based Resource Management (CBRM) workshop is underway in Gizo, Western Province, bringing together government officials, provincial representatives and community-based organisations to strengthen community-led management of natural resources.
The workshop is co-organised by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Nusatupe Innovation Hub.
It aims to provide a platform for participants to share experiences and lessons from the implementation of CBRM initiatives, exchange knowledge and identify practical ways to address challenges facing community-led resource management.
The workshop will also focus on identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration among organisations and partners supporting CBRM initiatives across Western Province.
Participants are expected to identify key threats facing marine ecosystems, assess existing solutions and their effectiveness, and recommend priority actions to improve the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources.
The discussions will also identify priorities for communities and organisations, including the support, capacity and resources required to implement recommendations beyond financial assistance.
Organisers aim to develop practical recommendations and priority actions that will guide future programmes and strengthen collaboration among communities, non-governmental organisations and the provincial government to achieve national objectives.
A key outcome of the workshop will be the production of a State of Community-Based Coastal Resource Management in Western Province (2026) report.
The report will consolidate information on the current status of CBRM, lessons learned, challenges, opportunities and priority actions identified through the workshop and supporting consultations.
The findings are expected to provide a clearer picture of the progress and challenges of community-based coastal resource management in the province.
Recommendations from the workshop will also contribute to a strategic plan to be implemented by respective communities, NGOs and the Western Provincial Government.
The initiative is expected to help align the efforts of key stakeholders and strengthen community participation in protecting marine ecosystems and sustainably managing coastal resources for future generations.
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BY CHARLES STENNETT
The UN’s top climate official says COP31 must focus on turning climate commitments into real-world results as countries face mounting economic costs and pressures from climate change coupled with the effects of El Nino.
According to Pacnews, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Simon Stiell made the call in Nadi ahead of the UN climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, which begins in four weeks.
Stiell said the impacts of climate change were already being felt across economies, with El Niño adding further pressure.
“Every nation is now on the front lines of the climate crisis. Every economy is already getting hammered, and now El Nino is up the ante and supercharging these climate costs,” he said.
He said small island states had much at stake, while pointing to the Pacific’s response to the climate crisis as an example of the cooperation and practical solutions needed.
“Throughout the week, this region has shown again how to meet danger with determination, innovation, cooperation, and practical solutions,” Stiell said.
He said COP31 should build on that approach by accelerating implementation and turning existing commitments into tangible results.
“This is what COP31 can and must do, help convert promises into more real-world results,” he said.
Climate finance will be a key part of that effort, with Stiell calling for countries to scale up and speed up finance while broadening access to affordable funding.
He said countries must deliver on existing finance commitments, including the new finance goal, while using the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap to build towards US$1.3 trillion a year by 2035.
Stiell also called for the COP process to be brought closer to the real economy, with governments, businesses, investors, cities and communities working together on projects and partnerships that can attract finance and deliver results.
He said negotiations would remain central to the COP process, particularly as countries move towards the second Global Stocktake at COP33.
While there may not be a single major headline agreement on the agenda at COP31, Stiell said there were still “complex and vital issues” that countries would need to resolve.
“That is incredibly hard when every country must agree on every single word,” he said.
Stiell said the pre-COP meetings in Fiji had shown both the progress made and the amount of work still required before the Antalya summit.
The action agenda will also be important, he said, with practical work needed in areas including electrification, methane reduction, waste and ocean protection.
Stiell said no single COP could solve the global climate crisis, but COP31 needs to accelerate progress on practical measures.
“All recent COPs have moved the world a significant step forward, and so must COP31.
“With just four weeks till COP starts in Antalya, there is no time to lose,” he said.
Photo credit: Pacnews
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BY CHARLES STENNETT
Small-scale carbon project representatives from the Pacific are at one of the region’s biggest climate gatherings this week in Fiji in preparation for the UN climate summit, COP31, in Türkiye in November and the attendance of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea was supported by the recently launched Rights, Integrity, Safeguards and Equity in Carbon Markets (RISE) project.
Solomon Islands was represented by Live and Learn Solomon Islands carbon and conservation leader Bill Apusae while Rosemary Isicar from Live and Learn Papua New Guinea and Robbie Henderson from Nakau, joined around four-thousand participants at the Pre-COP gathering in Fiji, including global leaders and international climate organisations.
A statement from Live and Learn Solomon Islands said that attending an international forum like this is an important opportunity to contribute to global discussions on climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development.”
Bill Apusae described such meetings as spaces where experiences and concerns of the Pacific can be shared.
“COPs are more than international conferences; they are spaces where the experiences and concerns of Pacific communities can be shared with decision-makers and where we can learn from others facing similar challenges. As a Solomon Islander, participating in these discussions gives me an opportunity to bring local and regional perspectives to the global conversation.” Mr Apusae said.
He added that it is important that community-led carbon projects have a place in national and global development policy.
“Carbon policy is a hot topic in the Pacific, and the world, right now. And in Solomon Islands carbon policy is being developed so it is a particularly important time to ensure community-led carbon projects, where the benefits flow to communities and customary rights are upheld, have a place in national and global policy development.
A significant recurring theme of Pre-COP has been how to mobilise more finance for Pacific countries’ adaptation, and particularly to make sure that funding reach communities.
There is a general consensus that this is not happening at nearly the scale and speed it needs to.
“At Pre-COP, I notice there are a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society organisations, Indigenous Peoples, youth, women, development partners, private-sector representatives, and climate experts. However, the level of representation and influence is not always equal,” Mr Apusae said.
He explained the importance of ensuring experiences in the islands are shared in discussions of the gatherings.
“As someone from an Island nation, I recognise the importance of ensuring the experiences and priorities of island communities are represented in these discussions and meaningful participation requires opportunities for our voices to influence decisions and outcomes.”
The statement said Mr Apusae will form part of a delegation from Live and Learn and Nakau heading to this year’s global climate and biodiversity COPs in Turkiye in November.
It said being part of the initial discussions in Fiji has been an important moment to understand how dialogues unfold and where opportunities for connection and influence lie.
The statement said a key message from this week has been that the Pacific Islands region is not just at the front line of climate impacts but it is also holding the line against climate change with Pacific oceans and forests being critical storage for CO2. Two strong reasons why Pacific needs and contributions need to be acknowledged in global decisions.
“Carbon policies should not only focus on reducing emissions or generating carbon credits. They must also deliver fair and sustainable benefits to the people who protect and depend on these ecosystems. By continuing to speak, listen, connect communities with decision-makers, and advocate for inclusive and rights-based approaches, I can contribute to ensuring that climate action promotes both environmental integrity and social justice,” says Bill.
[Bill Apusae- Live and Learn Solomon Islands leader at the Pre-COP31 meeting in Fiji. Photo Credit: LLSI]
作者:CHARLES STENNETT
来自太平洋的小规模碳项目代表本周在斐济参加该地区最大的气候会议之一,为即将在土耳其举行的联合国气候峰会 COP31 做准备,所罗门群岛和巴布亚新几内亚的参与得到了最近启动的碳市场权利、诚信、保障和公平(RISE)项目的支持。
所罗门群岛由 Live and Learn Solomon Islands 的碳和保护领导者 Bill Apusae 代表,而来自 Live and Learn Papua New Guinea 的 Rosemary Isicar 和 Nakau 的 Robbie Henderson 则与约四千名参与者一起参加了斐济的预COP会议,包括全球领导人和国际气候组织。
Live and Learn Solomon Islands 的一份声明表示,参加这样的国际论坛是为全球气候变化、环境保护和可持续发展贡献意见的重要机会。
Bill Apusae 将此类会议描述为分享太平洋经验和关切的空间。
“COP 不仅仅是国际会议;它们是分享太平洋社区经验和关切的空间,我们可以向决策者传达这些信息,并向面临类似挑战的其他人学习。作为一名所罗门岛人,参与这些讨论让我有机会将地方和区域的观点带入全球对话。” Apusae 先生说。
他补充说,社区主导的碳项目在国家和全球发展政策中占有一席之地是非常重要的。
“碳政策现在是太平洋和全球的热门话题。在所罗门群岛,碳政策正在制定中,因此确保社区主导的碳项目能够让利益流向社区并维护习惯权利,在国家和全球政策发展中占有一席之地是特别重要的。
预COP 的一个重要主题是如何为太平洋国家的适应行动动员更多资金,特别是确保资金能够到达社区。
普遍共识是,这一过程并没有以所需的规模和速度进行。
“在预COP上,我注意到有各种各样的利益相关者,包括政府、民间社会组织、土著人民、青年、女性、发展伙伴、私营部门代表和气候专家。然而,代表性和影响力的水平并不总是平等的,” Apusae 先生说。
他解释了确保岛屿经验在会议讨论中得到分享的重要性。
“作为一个岛屿国家的人,我认识到确保岛屿社区的经验和优先事项在这些讨论中得到代表的重要性,有意义的参与需要我们的声音能够影响决策和结果的机会。”
声明中提到,Apusae 先生将成为 Live and Learn 和 Nakau 代表团的一部分,前往今年 11 月在土耳其举行的全球气候和生物多样性 COP。
声明表示,参与斐济的初步讨论是理解对话如何展开以及连接和影响机会所在的重要时刻。
声明指出,本周的一个关键信息是,太平洋岛屿地区不仅处于气候影响的前线,而且在应对气候变化方面也发挥着重要作用,太平洋的海洋和森林是 CO2 的重要储存。两个强有力的理由说明太平洋的需求和贡献需要在全球决策中得到认可。
“碳政策不应仅关注减少排放或产生碳信用。它们还必须为保护和依赖这些生态系统的人们提供公平和可持续的利益。通过继续发声、倾听、将社区与决策者联系起来,并倡导包容性和基于权利的方法,我可以为确保气候行动促进环境完整性和社会公正做出贡献,” Bill 说。
[Bill Apusae - Live and Learn Solomon Islands 领导者在斐济的预COP31 会议上发言。照片来源:LLSI]
Island SunEnvironment & Climate环境气候·2026-10-09Original ↗原文 ↗