BY TONY IROGA
THE Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) kicked off a four-day training workshop on Monday this week.
A statement from SIMS today said the Environmental Scan Program Training Workshop aims to build staff capacity and align operations with international Quality Management System (QMS) ISO 9001 standards.
“The training is facilitated by international advisors Ms Helen Tseros and Mr Bryan Boase, alongside the Director of SIMS,’’ the statement said.
Participants will analyse SIMS’s operational environment using SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to mitigate risks and improve service delivery.
Key areas of focus include evaluating SIMS’s national and international role, prioritising strategic needs, building long-term operational plans, and updating QMS documentation.
“This practical exercise allows SIMS to look critically at their strengths and vulnerabilities while mapping out clear, actionable strategies for the future.
“By meeting international ISO standards, SIMS continues its commitment to protecting lives, property, and livelihoods across the Solomon Islands through reliable meteorological services,” SIMS said.
The workshop will conclude tomorrow, with outcomes integrated into core agency frameworks to ensure compliance with World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
The workshop is supported by the Australian Government through the SIMS/Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Twinning Arrangement Project.
Photo credit: SIMS
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Solwata takes stories of climate displacement from Malaita communities to Venice, highlighting relocation and human rights. A story rooted in three Malaita communities has travelled beyond Solomon Islands through Solwata, a 25-minute mixed-reality documentary about climate displacement, planned relocation and human rights. Solwata made its world premiere in competition at Venice Immersive, the extended-reality section [...]
The post From Malaita’s Climate Frontlines to Venice: The Story of Solwata appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
BY CHARLES STENNETT
Prime Minister Matthew Wale used his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), to call on the international community to match the courage of Pacific communities with collective international resolve to scale up adaptation and resilience finance, and to support communities facing climate mobility needs.
In his speech at the 81 st session of UNGA in New York last week, Wale urged the international community to put into action what they promised to reduce climate change as Pacific Island leaders have used the podium many times in the past raising issues relating to climate change but have seen little achieved.
“Year after year, Pacific leaders have stood at this podium and urged the world to act on climate change. And yet, global action continues to fall short of what the science demands. For every passing COP, the impacts grow more severe. Our islands are being lost to the sea. Disasters are more frequent and more devastating” he said.
The Prime Minister said small countries like Solomon Islands are using much needed money that should have been used for development for disaster response, recovery and rebuilding.
He said Solomon Islanders are well aware of this as they’ve lived through disasters caused by climate change.
“Food and water security is under threat and communities are being forced from their ancestral lands. Solomon Islands knows this reality firsthand. This year, Tropical Cyclone Maila, a category five storm, tore through our communities, destroying homes, schools, infrastructure and livelihoods.
“That is money our essential services urgently need, now diverted to deal with the impacts of this climate extreme. Like many Pacific Island countries, we are trapped in a relentless cycle of response, recovery and rebuilding. This is not sustainable, nor is it just,” Wale said.
He informed the assembly that Solomon Islands did the least to cause this crisis, yet they pay its earliest and heaviest price.
Wale called on the international community that each state has a legal obligation to protect the climate system.
“Major emitters must make deep emission cuts and transition away from fossil fuels. Climate finance, including support for loss and damage, must be grant based and channeled through our national budget systems. Project based financing of climate action is unsustainable and out of step with the scale of a crisis we did the least to cause. Vulnerable countries should not have to choose between climate action and educating our children, caring for the sick or securing food and water,” Wale said.
He also called for the full capitalisation of the Pacific Resilience Facility, and an ambitious and timely third replenishment of the Green Climate Fund.
Wale encouraged parties and partners to attend the Pre-COP31 meeting which will be held soon to see and feel for themselves the effects of climate change.
“The Pre-COP31 meeting, to be hosted in the Pacific by Australia in partnership with Fiji and Tuvalu, will bring the reality of climate change directly into the heart of the global process. I call on all parties and partners to come to that meeting and to COP31 with stronger commitments and concrete action. The communities on the frontline of the climate crisis deserve nothing less” he said.
He also called on the international community to support efforts addressing sea level rise which is affecting shorelines of the islands in Solomon Islands.
“Every day our people are defending their coastlines, strengthening their resilience, protecting their food and water security and their cultural heritage, and, where there is no other choice, relocating. But we cannot do this alone.
“I call on this assembly to match the courage of our Pacific communities with collective international resolve to scale up adaptation and resilience finance, and to support communities facing climate mobility needs,” Prime Minister Wale said.
Photo credit: OPMC
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PM Wale calls for accessible, predictable and grant-based climate finance to help Pacific states respond to climate impacts. By: Steven Kamoa Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale is calling for changes to the international climate finance system, saying vulnerable Pacific island states need more accessible, predictable and grant-based funding to respond to climate impacts. Speaking at [...]
The post Wale Calls for Changes to Climate Finance for Vulnerable Pacific States appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
Prime Minister Matthew Wale says climate commitments must move beyond promises and translate into tangible support for climate-vulnerable countries. Wale made the call for grant-based, predictable and accessible finance at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit on ‘Just Transition’ at the Trusteeship Council in New York. Solomon Islands contributes less...
The post PM Wale Calls For Climate Commitments To Deliver On The Ground appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
Minister Wayne Ghemu calls for practical climate mobility action that protects Pacific communities, dignity and choice. Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Wayne Ghemu has called for the international community to move beyond climate mobility principles. The Solomon Islands Climate Change Minister urged the need to deliver practical action that protects the [...]
The post MINISTER GHEMU CALLS FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE MOBILITY appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pacific will provide direct funding to support the Bubupengu Tribal Land Conservation Association in East Guadalcanal, Marau Sound, as the community works to complete the remaining 25 percent of its Protected Area process towards formal declaration.
Association spokesperson Jean Baptist Epalle said WWF Central Solomon Islands Manager Slade Ririmae recently visited the Bubupengu community as part of WWF’s Inter-Community Catalyst Funding initiative.
Mr Epalle said during the visit, Mr Ririmae confirmed that WWF Pacific would provide direct funding to help catalyse the remaining 25 percent of the community’s Protected Area process.
He said the announcement was warmly welcomed by the community, which has spent more than five years working to conserve and protect its customary land and marine resources.
Mr Epalle said the community was deeply moved and excited by the announcement, describing it as the first funding of its kind the community has received after years of hard work, struggles and sacrifices towards conservation.
He said the community expressed its sincere appreciation to Mr Ririmae and WWF Pacific for the support and for recognising its long-term commitment to conservation.
Mr Epalle said Mr Ririmae also emphasised that the community’s conservation work must continue and encouraged members to remain committed to their efforts.
“Community work must go on. Tagio WWF Pacific-SI for making this funding directly accessible to support conservation work,” Mr Epalle said.
The Bubupengu Tribal Land Conservation Association now looks forward to using the support to advance the remaining steps in the Protected Area process and strengthen its ongoing conservation efforts.
The community’s conservation work focuses on protecting its customary land and marine resources in Marau Sound, East Guadalcanal.
[Photo: WWF Central Solomon Islands Manager Slade Ririmae (Left) with the Bubupengu Tribal Land Conservation Association in East Guadalcanal, Marau Sound. Photo credit: Jean Baptist Epalle]
Russell Islands communities launch fisheries plans after a decade of conservation to protect marine resources and livelihoods. The communities of Marulaon and Karumulun in the West Russell Islands celebrated the& launch of their Community Fisheries Management Plans (CFMPs) on 16 and 17 September& 2026, marking a historic achievement after more than a decade of marine [...]
The post Historical Milestone: Community Fisheries Management Plans launched – Russell Islands appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Media workers across the Pacific must stand together and remain united in addressing challenges facing journalists and newsrooms, Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) President and In-Depth Solomons founder Ofani Eremae says.
Mr Eremae made the comments in an interview with the Fijian Media Association today at the 8 th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) conference currently underway in Fiji.
The 8th Pacific Media Summit is being held in Savusavu, Fiji, from September 21 to 25, 2026, under the theme “Reaching the Remote: Media and Digital Innovation for a Connected Blue Pacific.”
The summit is jointly hosted by the Fijian Media Association and the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), bringing together media professionals and stakeholders from across the Pacific to discuss press freedom, media sustainability, digital innovation, climate reporting and the future of journalism in the region
Speaking to Fijian Media Association today Eremae said the PINA gathering was an important event for Pacific media as it brought journalists and media workers together to discuss issues and challenges facing their respective newsrooms.
“It’s a time that those of us who work in the industry come together, talk about the issues, the challenges that journalists, media workers are facing within our respective newsrooms,” Mr Eremae said.
He said the conference also provided an opportunity for media workers to network, interact and build relationships that could help strengthen the media industry.
Mr Eremae said journalists had reached a point where they needed to stand together and remain united in carrying out their responsibilities to communities across the Pacific.
“I think we have come to a time that we need to, as reporters, as journalists, stand together, be united,” he said.
He said journalists must continue doing the work their respective communities expect them to do.
Mr Eremae said the PINA gathering was also an opportunity to create stronger connections among Pacific media workers and contribute to a stronger and more vibrant media industry.
[Photo: MASI President and In-Depth Solomons founder Ofani Eremae. Photo credit: Fijian Media Association.]
The tender for the construction of the new Fiu River Bridge in Malaita Province is closed on 18 September 2026, with the contract award expected by December 2026.
The Solomon Islands Government is seeking second Additional Financing from the World Bank for the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), with part of the proceeds to support payments for the Fiu River Bridge Replacement contract.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), the implementing agency of SIRAP2, will oversee the replacement of the existing 77 metre steel truss Fiu River bridge with a new 84 metre climate-resilient bridge, featuring a two-lane carriageway and a dedicated pedestrian walkway.
The Fiu Bridge.
MID Permanent Secretary, Mike Qaqara said, “The Fiu River Bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure for the communities and road users who depend on this connection. Replacing the existing bridge with a modern, climate-resilient structure will improve safety and reliability, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding. We are pleased to see the procurement process progressing, and we remain committed to ensuring that all environmental and social requirements are properly addressed before construction begins .”
The Development Consent application together with the Public Environmental Report was submitted to the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology for review and pending approval.
Major construction works will include upgrading the approach roads, constructing new bridge foundations and superstructure, improving drainage systems, providing scour protection, undertaking embankment and pavement works, installing road safety features, and demolishing the existing bridge.
The Fiu River Bridge investment forms part of SIRAP2’s broader efforts to improve the safety, reliability and climate resilience of Solomon Islands’ transport infrastructure and strengthen connectivity for communities across the country.
End////
– Second Solomon Islands Roads & Aviation Project (SIRAP2)
The post New Climate-Resilient Fiu River Bridge Set to Transform Connectivity in Malaita Province first appeared on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) .
The Ministry of Forestry and Research and JICA have signed a Record of Discussions for a new technical cooperation project on community-based forest management, according to a Solomon Islands Government statement.
根据所罗门群岛政府的声明,林业与研究部(Ministry of Forestry and Research)与日本国际协力机构(JICA)签署了一项关于社区基础森林管理的新技术合作项目的讨论记录。
BY CHARLES STENNETT
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster and Meteorology, (MECDM), with support from New Zealand through the Climate and Biodiversity-Smart Marine Spatial Planning (CaB-Smart MSP) Programme, are working with communities and provincial governments in Temotu and Makira-Ulawa Provinces to identify priorities for protecting marine resources, strengthening livelihoods, and adapting to climate change.
A post from the MFMR social media said that through community workshops, interviews, mapping, traditional knowledge, and scientific information, communities are sharing their knowledge, identifying local challenges, and helping shape plans for the future of their marine and coastal areas.
It said the process ensures that the voices of women and men who depend on marine resources, as well as elders and youth, are reflected in decision-making.
It also includes Solomon Islands Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (SIIVA) assessments.
It said these activities will help communities map important coastal habitats and fishing grounds, identify environmental threats, and discuss their aspirations for the future.
The statement said information gathered will support communities and government to develop practical marine management options and identify suitable marine zones that help protect important habitats, support sustainable fisheries, and build resilience to climate change.
The lessons and experiences from this work will help MFMR and MECDM further develop and test community Marine Spatial Planning guidelines, supporting the wider rollout of this approach across Solomon Islands.
[Photo: Climate and Biodiversity-Smart Marine Spatial Planning Programme members in one of the communities in West Makira. Photo credit: MFMR]
BY CHARLES STENNETT
Six Staff from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), have successfully completed a three week-long capacity-building training program in Busan, South Korea.
A statement from the Ministry said the training brought together fisheries officials from the Indo-Pacific and Africa to strengthen knowledge, skills, and cooperation in fisheries observer programs and sustainable fisheries management.
Speaking on behalf of the Solomon Islands delegation, Ms Jan Oli Pitu described the training as a highly successful and valuable experience, providing participants with opportunities to learn, share experiences, build networks, and strengthen their technical capacity.
The statement said a major highlight was the development and presentation of National Fisheries Observer Action Plans of which Solomon Islands delegation was awarded Best Action Plan following presentations and assessment by professors from Pukyong National University.
It said the achievement reflects the strong teamwork, commitment, and capability of Solomon Islands fisheries professionals.The team now returns home with new knowledge, stronger partnerships, and an action plan to further support Solomon Islands’ fisheries observer program.
[Six MFMR officers attending the 3-week training in South Korea. Photo credit: MFMR.]
BY CHARLES STENNETT
The appearance of young Hawksbill turtles from Mbaquin Island in the Russell islands, Central Province is the result of a dedicated worker and the taking into action knowledge gained from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource, MFMR training.
A statement from MFMR said that Thomas Tami took the initiative to dedicate his work in protection and conservation of Hawksbill turtles at Mbaquin island after gaining knowledge from a training conducted by MFMR.
Following the training, Mr Tami applied the knowledge and skills he gained to construct a protective shelter for Hawksbill turtles and their eggs on Mbaquin Island.
The statement said although the step is simple, it is an important conservation measure to safeguard the eggs during their incubation period.
“The successful hatching of the eggs and the emergence of the little turtles is a wonderful outcome and a testament to the value of community participation in marine conservation” the statement said.
MFMR greatly appreciates Mr. Tami’s efforts and recognizes him as an excellent example of how local communities can play a vital role in protecting our marine resources and endangered species.
“His initiative demonstrates that, with the right knowledge, training and support, individuals in our island communities can make a meaningful contribution to conservation. The Ministry congratulates Mr. Tami on this achievement and encourages him to continue his important work in protecting Hawksbill turtles and their nesting habitats” the statement said.
BY NED GAGAHE
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), in collaboration with Tebbutt Research, will conduct its second National Financial Services Demand Side Survey from September to October this year.
The survey will assess access, usage, quality and satisfaction with financial services and products across Solomon Islands.
It will cover a nationally representative sample of about 992 adults randomly selected from households in urban, rural and maritime communities.
CBSI said the survey is aimed at providing a better understanding of the needs, preferences and financial behaviours of Solomon Islanders.
It will also provide updated information to help assess progress under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 3, which was implemented by CBSI from 2021 to 2025.
The survey will examine the extent to which people have access to and use financial services and products currently available in the country, as well as their experiences and level of satisfaction.
It will also assess people’s readiness and appetite for climate-related financial products and services.
CBSI said the findings would provide an evidence base for policy development and help identify gaps in the provision of financial services across the country.
The results are also expected to help policymakers respond to emerging trends and support the development of financial products and services that better meet the needs of consumers.
CBSI Governor Dr Luke Forau said one of the key objectives of the 2026 survey was to inform the review and development of financial inclusion targets and action plans.
He said the findings would contribute to the formulation of the next Financial Inclusion Strategy for Solomon Islands.
The first National Demand Side Survey was conducted by CBSI in 2015 with support from the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme, now UNCDF, and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion.
The 2026 survey is funded by the Asian Development Bank, with the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office and Tebbutt Research providing technical support to CBSI.
Tebbutt Research enumerators will conduct the fieldwork and collect the survey data.
CBSI expects the findings to be released by the end of 2026.
[Tebbutt Research enumerators will conduct the fieldwork and collect the survey data. Photo credit CBSI]
BY LORETTA B MANELE
TULAGI
Solomon Power commissioned a 250 kilowatt solar hybrid plant project in Tulagi this morning.
This is one of five projects being implemented by Solomon Power and the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) with joint funding support from Asian Development Bank (ADB), Solomon Islands Government and Strategic Climate Fund.
The project is designed to connect electricity networks to solar grid connected plants integrated with battery storage to reduce reliance on costly imported diesel.
$8.4 million support comes from ADB. The five solar projects come under Government’s solar power development project which costs $15.2 million.
Present at the programme were representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), ADB, Solomon Power executive and technical team and provincial and community members.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Central Islands Premier Kenneth Sagupari formally pledged ownership of the project to the people of Central Islands.
He also urged them to be responsible in taking care of the project so that it can benefit them in the long run.
Chris Hunupauro, deputy secretary for Corporate Services from MMERE voiced the need for careful balancing in order to reduce costing of energy.
Speaking on behalf of ADB, Michael White stressed that the project aims to reduce dependence on diesel, support local businesses and economic activities and contribute to clean environment.
Solomon Power Chairman David KC Quan said the project which dates back to 2016, although small is very significant.
He stressed that this project and four others that are yet to be commissioned can help drive down dependence on diesel.
The remaining four provincial centres yet to have their solar hybrid plant projects commissioned are Munda, Lata, Kirakira and Malu’u.
[Photo Caption: MP for Ngella constituency, Choylin Yim Douglas, Central Islands Premier, Kenneth Sagupari, Solomon Power Chairman David KC Quan, ADB rep, Michael White and MMERE Deputy Director Chris Hunupauro cut the ribbon to mark the solar plant commissioning ceremony. Photo credit – Loretta B Manele. ]
BY LORETTA B MANELE
Solomon Airlines has released a revised international schedule serving Brisbane, Honiara, Munda, Nadi, Auckland, Santo and Port Vila.
A statement from the airlines yesterday said this follows a review of fleet availability, network requirements and current market conditions.
The airlines will move to a single international aircraft operation starting today, Wednesday, September 16 till November 30, 2026 and from February 1, 2027 onwards, pending the return of the second Airbus A320 H4-SIB for the December and January period which will allow increased flying for the peak period.
“Solomon Airlines cited factors contributing to the decision as the extended absence of H4-SIB while undergoing repairs and return to service processes, escalating fuel costs, prevailing economic conditions and changes in forward travel demand.
“Solomon Airlines has maintained network continuity during the period of reduced fleet availability through a combination of its own operations and support from third-party carriers,” the statement said.
Matt Findlay, CEO of Solomon Airlines said what they understood would be a short term period without H4-SIB while repairs were completed required a longer period than initially anticipated.
“To ensure our airline can continue to grow and thrive, and to establish stability of operations across our network, we have carefully reviewed our fleet deployment and network requirements and determine that a more focused international schedule is appropriate for the months ahead.
“Our principle purpose is to serve our nation and it’s people, and strengthening our domestic operations is critical, as is supporting our key connections to markets for the movement of people and products,” he said.
Solomon Airlines said Airbus A320 (H4-SIB) will be expected to return to service during December 2026, subject to completion of the applicable return-to-service requirements.
The aircraft is also expected to then complete its remaining lease obligations before it is returned to its lessor following the conclusion of its lease term.
“This is a course of action that we deeply regret has to be taken, given the prolonged disruption to our operation, a challenging operating environment and the need to restore operational integrity for our customers,” Mr Findlay said.
The airlines will outline its strategy and long-term plans at a Stakeholder Summit planned for Tuesday 27 October.
Meanwhile, Solomon Airlines revised international schedule effective from today, Wednesday, September 16, 2026 will include the following changes;
-Auckland-Port Vila – to operate 2 x weekly outbound on Tuesday and Wednesday, inbound to Auckland on Monday and Tuesday
-Brisbane-Honiara – to operate 3 x weekly outbound on Monday, Friday and Saturday, and inbound to Brisbane on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
-Brisbane-Santo, Vanuatu – remains 2 x weekly, with weekly Thursday service remaining, and day change Tuesday to Sunday for the 2nd weekly service, subject to approval
-Honiara-Port Vila-Auckland – remains once weekly, with day change from Tuesday to Monday
-Auckland-Port Vila-Honiara – remains once weekly, with day change from Monday to Wednesday
-Honiara-Nadi – no change to existing weekly Honiara-Nadi weekend return service
-Brisbane-Munda – no change to existing direct service on Friday
Mr Findlay said they recognise that changes made to the scheduled services can affect their customers travel and cargo plans and they sincerely regret any inconvenience caused.
He said their teams are working to minimise the impact and will assist affected customers with available alternatives, including travel on Solomon Airlines or other carriers where appropriate, or refunds where a suitable alternative cannot be provided.
Solomon Airlines said customers seeking assistance can contact Solomon Airlines through the airline’s customer service channels.
“Contact details for the countries served by Solomon Airlines are available on the airline’s website: https://www.flysolomons.com/contact-us
“Solomon Airlines will continue to provide updates as operational arrangements are confirmed,” the statement said.
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Prime Minister Matthew Wale has issued a deeply personal warning about the growing threat climate change poses to the artificial island communities of Langalanga Lagoon and Lau Lagoon in Malaita Province.
Speaking about the impact of rising sea levels and extreme tides on Pacific communities, Wale said the climate crisis was no longer an abstract global issue for Solomon Islanders but a daily reality affecting his own people.
Wale, who represents Aoke/Langalanga Constituency, said he spoke not only as Prime Minister but as a son the islands and a representative of the saltwater people of Langalanga Lagoon.
“Allow me to speak plainly for a moment, not only as Prime Minister but as a son of these islands,” Wale said when opening the Pacific Climate Conference in Honiara this morning.
He said the people of Langalanga and Lau shared a unique cultural and historical inheritance, having built artificial islands by hand from stones placed over generations on the reef.
“Our peoples live on artificial islands that our ancestors built by hand, stone upon stone, upon the reef,” he said.
Wale said those islands were far more than places to live. They were places where generations of families had been born, married, made shell money and buried their dead.
However, he warned that climate change was now threatening the very foundations on which these communities have built their lives.
“Today, in Langalanga and in Lau alike, the wells are turning salty. King tides wash through kitchens and across the floors of homes,” Wale said.
He said families were increasingly being forced to confront a difficult question: whether they could continue living on the artificial islands or eventually move to the mainland.
“Families now sit in the evening and debate whether to hold on or to move to the mainland their ancestors deliberately left,” he said.
For Wale, the issue carries a personal significance.
“When I speak of climate change, I am not reading from a briefing paper. I am speaking of my own constituents, my own kin, and my own sea,” he said.
The Prime Minister also criticised dismissive attitudes towards communities experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand.
He said sarcasm and dismissiveness towards the concerns of atoll and lagoon communities were an insult to people whose lives were being directly affected.
“Their lived reality, not the comfort of the sceptic, must anchor our policy,” Wale said.
A threat to culture and identity
The situation facing Langalanga and Lau is not simply an environmental problem. The artificial islands are deeply connected to the cultural identity, history and way of life of their communities.
For generations, families have maintained their homes and communities on these man-made islands, surrounded by the sea that has also provided food, transport and livelihoods.
But saltwater intrusion, king tides, coastal erosion and other climate-related impacts are increasing pressure on these communities.
The deterioration of freshwater sources is particularly concerning because many artificial island communities have limited access to alternative sources of drinking water.
Wale’s warning therefore highlights a difficult reality facing Solomon Islands and other low-lying Pacific communities: climate change can threaten not only homes and infrastructure but also the ability of communities to remain on ancestral land.
“1.5°C is a survival threshold”
Wale said the Pacific could not afford to treat global warming as an inevitable or acceptable development.
“For the Pacific, 1.5°C is therefore a survival threshold and must remain a political red line,” he said.
He stressed that every fraction of a degree of warming mattered to vulnerable Pacific communities.
“Every fraction of a degree matters. Every year of delay increases the burden on our communities and our public finances,” Wale said.
He warned against allowing dangerous levels of warming to become normalised.
“We cannot allow dangerous levels of warming to be treated as normal or inevitable,” he said.
The Prime Minister also stressed the injustice at the heart of the Pacific’s climate-change position.
“The Pacific did not create this crisis, and our patience must never be mistaken for acceptance of a future imposed on us by the emissions of others,” Wale said.
BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called for climate finance to be treated as a matter of climate justice rather than charity, saying vulnerable Pacific countries should not be forced to continue borrowing to respond to a crisis they did not create.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today, Mr Wale made the call while opening the Fifth Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference in Honiara.
“Climate finance must not be treated as charity. It is part of climate justice and international cooperation,” he said.
PM Wale called for climate finance to be adequate, predictable, accessible and, wherever possible, grant-based, stressing that international commitments must translate into resources reaching communities on the ground.
“A fund that exists internationally but cannot be reached by a Pacific community is not delivering justice,” he said.
Wale said Solomon Islands will also strengthen its domestic systems to access to and manage climate finance which is said to include developing a coherent climate-finance architecture, a credible pipeline of investable projects and stronger national capacity to access international funds directly.
He said climate investments must reach beyond Honiara and benefit provinces and communities, including women, young people, persons with disabilities, farmers, fishers and people living furthest from the capital.
The Prime Minister also linked climate finance to the wider Pacific struggle to keep the 1.5°C target within reach and noted that Pacific Leaders have reaffirmed climate change as the single greatest threat to the security, livelihoods and wellbeing of Pacific peoples.
“Through the B.E.L.A.U. Declaration, Pacific Leaders have reaffirmed commitments to stronger climate plans, a just energy transition, greater access to climate finance, and stronger focus on oceans, youth, gender equality and intergenerational justice,” he said.
Wale futher stressed that for the Pacific, climate finance is not simply about funding projects but about ensuring that communities facing the greatest risks have the resources to protect their homes, livelihoods, infrastructure and future.
Photo credit: PMO
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How a dedicated cohort of local rangers, equipped with high-precision GIS mapping and satellite navigation, bridged custom and national law to permanently shield 2,897 hectares of primary cloud forest from...
The post Guardians of Varanitu: Indigenous Rangers Secure Landmark Statutory Protection for Sasari Rainforests appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
Prime Minister Hon. Mathew Wale has declared climate change as a national security and economic priority, unveiling the GREAT Coalition Government’s concrete legislative and investment agenda to build a climate-resilient Solomon Islands by 2050.
Opening the Pacific Climate Conference in Honiara this morning, the Prime Minister said the Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation (GREAT) has embedded climate responsibility into its core policies — centred on people, responsible resource governance, environmental standards, and long-term national resilience.
“Our task is to translate these commitments into visible improvements in villages, provinces, public services and livelihoods,” PM Wale said. “We will legislate. We will budget. We will enforce it. And we will report to our people on delivery, not on intentions.”
The Prime Minister was specific, saying commitments that cannot be named cannot be measured.
Under GREAT’s policy for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Government will:
Advance legislative and institutional reforms, including a dedicated Enforcement Unit
Integrate climate adaptation and disaster risk into national and local planning, with proactive relocation planning for vulnerable communities
Mobilise climate finance and green growth
Protect ecosystems and manage natural resources sustainably
Advance a circular economy and environmental health
Strengthen weather, ocean and climate services
Invest in environmental education and knowledge systems
As part of its six flagship development programs, the Government has elevated Renewable Energy Transition as a flagship priority — expanding solar, hydro, geothermal and biomass to cut fuel imports, improve rural services, and create green jobs.
He announced a concrete legislative agenda including:
Climate Change Bill
National Disaster Council Bill
Meteorological Services Bill
Independent Energy Regulator Bill
Carbon Trading Regulations
Deforestation Compliance Regulations
And reviews of the Environment Act and Electricity Act
Conference participants
PM Wale said climate finance must not be treated as charity but as climate justice. He called for finance that is adequate, predictable, accessible and grant-based.
“A fund that exists internationally but cannot be reached by a Pacific community is not delivering justice,” he said.
Solomon Islands will strengthen its own climate-finance architecture, develop a pipeline of investable projects, pursue national accreditation to access funds directly, and establish a Solomon Islands Renewable Energy Fund.
He confirmed the Government is developing Solomon Islands’ first National Loss and Damage Policy and Investment Roadmap, which will recognise both economic and non-economic loss.
“A healthy reef and mangrove are coastal protection. A healthy forest supports water security. These ecosystems are climate infrastructure,” PM Wale said.
He outlined reforms towards sustainable forestry, community forestry, high-integrity carbon markets with fair benefits for landowners, sustainable fisheries, marine spatial planning, and circular economy waste management.
In a powerful closing, PM Wale said Solomon Islanders must not allow vulnerability to become their identity.
“We are descendants of voyagers who crossed the world’s largest ocean without satellites. They did not deny risk. They understood it, prepared for it and navigated through it together. Traditional knowledge is a living source of observation and innovation. It belongs in our research, curricula and climate investments.”
The Pacific Climate Conference continues in Honiara this week.
[end]
GCU statement
The post PM Wale unveils GREAT’s climate action plan at regional climate conference in Honiara first appeared on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) .
PM Wale opens the Fifth Pacific Climate Change Conference in Honiara, calling for Pacific climate knowledge to drive action. Prime Minister& Matthew Cooper Wale today opened the Fifth Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference in Honiara, calling on the region to turn climate knowledge into practical action. The Pacific-owned and Pacific-led conference is being hosted [...]
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called for the Pacific to turn climate knowledge into practical action.
Mr Wale made the call when opening the 5th Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference in Honiara today.
The Pacific-led conference is being hosted in the Solomon Islands for the first time, a statement by the Prime Ministers Press Secretariat this morning said.
The theme for the conference is ‘Amplifying One Pacific Voice for Action on 1.5 degrees Celsius to Stay Alive’.
Wale said the Pacific must move beyond documenting climate impacts and strengthen its role as a source of knowledge, leadership, innovation and solutions the statement said.
“The Pacific is not merely a place where climate impacts are observed. It is a source of knowledge, leadership, law, innovation and solutions,” he said.
Impacts are already being felt across Pacific communities, with rising seas affecting freshwater and food gardens, warming oceans threatening reefs and fisheries and extreme weather placing communities, infrastructure and livelihoods at greater risk, Wale said.
“My central message to this conference is simple: turn Pacific knowledge into Pacific action,” he said.
Wale urged participants to focus on outcomes that can be implemented from stronger policies and early-warning systems to finance-ready projects, practical research and community-based solutions.
He said implementation rather than the number of meetings held must define the success of Pacific regionalism.
“The strength of our Blue Pacific Continent will never be found in the number of meetings we hold but in the difference we make together for the generations that follow,” Wale said.
BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The inaugural Auki Town Business Owners Forum, held in Auki last week, has been described as an important step towards promoting a healthier environment in the town.
One of the key themes discussed during the forum was the Healthy Settings Approach, which recognizes that health is a shared responsibility across workplaces, communities, schools, churches and business environments.
As Malaita Province prepares for its important provincial day, the police, provincial government and other stakeholders have also commenced crime prevention outreach programmes in Auki.
Speaking during the forum, Malaita Provincial, Premier Elijah Asilaua said creating a healthy environment is the responsibility of everyone.
He said health must be practised and promoted in workplaces, where people live, schools, churches and business environments.
“One of the key themes of this forum is the Healthy Settings Approach. The concept is simple but powerful. It recognizes that health is not only the responsibility of hospitals and clinics.
“Health is created where people live, work, learn, worship, and conduct business,” he said.
Mr Asilau’a said businesses has a critical role to play in creating a healthy environment for employees, customers and the wider community.
“A healthy town is a productive town. A clean business environment attracts customers, supports tourism, reduces health risks, and promotes economic growth,” he said.
He encouraged business operators to work alongside the government to promote healthier lifestyles and a cleaner environment.
“I encourage all business operators to work alongside government in promoting cleanliness, sanitation, environmental protection, and responsible waste disposal practices,” he said.
The Premier said the Provincial Government is committed to improving waste management arrangements, but stressed that government alone cannot solve the problem.
“We need the support and cooperation of every business operator. Proper waste disposal, reduction of littering, responsible handling of commercial waste, and active participation in town clean-up initiatives are all necessary if we are to maintain a cleaner and healthier Auki.
“Let us all recognise that waste management is not merely a government responsibility, it is a shared responsibility,” he said.
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