Graduating from the least developed country (LDC) category marks a major development milestone. It signals higher incomes and improvements in health and education. Yet for countries approaching the graduation threshold, optimism is often mixed with anxiety:
Will losing preferential trade access derail export growth? Will development assistance dry up?
With graduations underway across the Asia-Pacific region, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal and Solomon Islands, answering these questions is of immediate policy relevance. Prompted by recurring inquiries regarding post-graduation setbacks, our recent working paper reviews the ex-post experiences of all eight graduated countries: Botswana, Cabo Verde, Maldives, Samoa, Equatorial Guinea, Vanuatu, Bhutan and São Tomé and Príncipe.
The core takeaway is clear: graduation is neither an automatic cliff nor a guarantee of resilience. Outcomes depend far more on underlying economic structures and domestic policy implementation than the status change itself. Successful transitions rely on building productive capacities and addressing structural vulnerabilities alongside sustained international support.
Our review offers a nuanced perspective on common concerns:
Concern 1: Graduation triggers an immediate trade shock
The reality: The trade impact has been remarkably contained.
A primary fear is “preference erosion” from losing Duty-Free Quota-Free market access available to LDCs. However, preference loss only affects exports that meaningfully utilized those preferences. Historically, supply-side constraints prevented many LDCs from extensively using them.
Earlier graduates experienced limited trade disruption due to country-specific factors. Botswana’s diamonds and Equatorial Guinea’s oil entered global markets at zero or near-zero Most-Favoured-Nation tariffs. Samoa, Vanuatu and Bhutan maintained market access through existing bilateral or regional frameworks independent of LDC status. In Cabo Verde and Maldives, tourism services — which do not depend on goods preferences — drove foreign earnings.
Where specific sectors were exposed, such as fisheries in Cabo Verde and Maldives, transition arrangements and alternative market-access provisions moderated impacts.
While preference erosion matters, its true significance depends on pre-graduation preference utilization, export structure, alternative market-access arrangements and productive capacity.
Concern 2: External development finance disappears
The reality: Experiences provide little evidence of an abrupt or uniform decline.
Development finance did not operate as an on-off switch. Aid flows evolved gradually based on income classification, debt sustainability, country vulnerability, donor priorities, existing project pipelines and, for some countries, status as small island developing States. While countries eventually phase out of some specialized LDC windows according to their transition arrangements, this is quite different from an abrupt withdrawal of overall development finance.
Financing terms may harden as incomes rise, but this reflects broader development and income-based criteria rather than graduation itself.
The experience varies considerably across countries, and for the most recent graduates, it is still too early to draw firm conclusions. Nevertheless, evidence so far shows no systematic post-graduation financing cliff.
The more persistent concern: Structural vulnerability
If trade and finance do not fall off a cliff, does that mean smooth sailing? Not quite.
The ex-post evidence reveals that crossing graduation thresholds does not eliminate underlying structural vulnerabilities. Regarding climate and natural shocks, Maldives and Samoa saw graduations delayed by tsunamis, while Vanuatu exited amid severe cyclones and COVID-19. Small island developing States remain on the frontlines of sea-level rise and environmental shocks.
Several graduates remain heavily reliant on a single commodity or sector, such as tourism, hydropower or extractives. Furthermore, while not caused by graduation, managing fiscal space and debt remains essential across shock-prone economies to finance development and climate-resilience needs.
Looking ahead: What this means for upcoming graduates
These experiences highlight some vital lessons for upcoming graduates:
Assess actual exposure to preference loss: Unlike earlier graduates, manufacturing exporters such as Bangladesh and Cambodia rely heavily on tariff preferences for garments. For these economies, managing preference erosion centers on firm-level productivity upgrades, modern trade logistics and regional trade integration.
Maintain focus on productive capacities and diversification: Graduation itself does not deliver structural transformation. Building competitive productive capacities, diversifying exports, strengthening skills and infrastructure and supporting movement into higher-value activities remain essential for reducing vulnerability over the longer term. Attention is also needed to ensure adjustment does not disproportionately affect vulnerable workers, including women employed in preference-dependent export sectors.
Operationalize smooth transition strategies (STS): National transition frameworks are most effective when designed as actionable implementation roadmaps. This involves integrating transition priorities directly into national development planning and annual budgets, backed by institutional oversight and risk scenario planning.
Align international support with vulnerability: Development cooperation remains essential after graduation, particularly because graduation does not imply the disappearance of structural vulnerability. Predictable transition periods and vulnerability-informed international assistance, including for climate adaptation and resilience-building, can help safeguard hard-won development gains while countries adjust to their post-LDC status.
Graduation marks clear progress, but lasting resilience depends on managing the transition beyond it. ESCAP provides demand-driven policy research, advisory and capacity building for graduating and recently graduated countries , funded in part by the China-ESCAP Cooperation Programme, to help formulate and implement effective smooth transition strategies.
&
Author:
Yusuke Tateno, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP
Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Chairman of Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID)
BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
UNITED States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has announced that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will assess the rehabilitation needs of the National Parliament building.
He made the announcement during his official visit to the National Parliament in Honiara on Tuesday, September 8, as part of his three-day visit to Solomon Islands.
National Parliament of Solomon Islands Media (NPSIM) stated that the assessment will focus on the rehabilitation needs of the Parliament building, which was constructed in 1993 with United States support to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Guadalcanal Campaign.
The Parliament building has since remained a symbol of the longstanding partnership between Solomon Islands and the United States.
Clerk of the National Parliament, Jefferson Hallu, welcomed Deputy Secretary Landau and acknowledged the continued support of the United States towards parliamentary development.
The visit also highlighted the shared values of democracy, accountability and cooperation between the two countries.
Deputy Secretary Landau’s visit extended beyond Parliament, with his programme including commemorations at Red Beach and the Bloody Ridge Memorial on Guadalcanal.
At the commemorations, he paid tribute to the sacrifices of Solomon Islanders, Americans and Allied forces who fought during the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Second World War.
He also announced US support for the preservation of the Bloody Ridge battlefield through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.
The support aims to help preserve the historic battlefield as an important site of remembrance and education for future generations.
The National Parliament described the visit as a reaffirmation of the strong ties between Solomon Islands and the United States.
It also expressed its commitment to continued cooperation with the United States in strengthening parliamentary capacity and democratic governance.
Deputy Secretary Landau’s visit comes as the two countries continue to reflect on their shared history from the Guadalcanal Campaign while looking towards stronger cooperation in the years ahead.
Photo credit: US Embassy, Honiara
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BY CHARLES STENNETT
The challenges, experiences and solutions encountered by fisheries extension officers in seaweed producing provinces will be discussed in a three-day seaweed stakeholders’ consultation now under way in Honiara.
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) in a statement said the consultation opened by Minister for Fisheries, Polycarp Paea, brought together aquaculture extension officers from key seaweed producing provinces who will take stock of their progress in the industry.
The ministry said the workshop will allow the fisheries extension officers to share their experiences, discuss challenges and identify practical solutions to further develop and strengthen the seaweed industry in Solomon Islands.
The consultation ends on Friday.
Photo credit: MFMR
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B Y CHARLES STENNETT
Pacific Island Forum (PIF) leaders have once again called on its members to adopt national policies and laws to increase women’s political participation and representation, recognize the leadership roles undertaken by women in their societies and the challenge of Non-Communicable Diseases to health outcomes, public expenditure, productivity and human capital across the region.
In a communique released after the 55 th Forum Island Leaders meeting in Koror, Palau, the leaders recognised the persistently low representation of women in national parliaments across the region and reaffirmed the “Revitalized Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration” and agreed that inclusive leadership and in particular, increasing women’s political participation and representation is needed to achieve progress across the 2050 Strategy.
Leaders urged member states to adopt national policies and laws to increase women’s political participation and representation.
They’ve also welcomed the announcement by Australia on the investment of $195million in the Pacific Women Lead Program, which has supported women’s leadership and entrepreneurship and combatted gender-based violence.
Leaders also endorsed the outcomes of the 5 th Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting and reaffirmed that gender equality remains fundamental to achieve the ambitions of the 2050 Strategy.
They’ve further affirmed the need for sustainable financing for National Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Prevention Frameworks as the primary constraint on scaling GBV prevention progress and committed to ensuring that GBV prevention priorities are reflected in national planning, gender-responsive budgeting, and public investment decisions.
Leaders recognised the opportunity to leverage climate and green finance to strengthen GBV prevention efforts and called for the inclusion of gender responsive and inclusive measures in climate finance proposals and resilience planning.
The communique also said that Leaders affirmed the leadership of Pacific women in driving climate action and endorsed the “Pacific Pact on Gender and Climate Action” as the region’s public political commitment to lead and accelerate implementation of the Belém Gender Action Plan in the Pacific.
On Non-Communicable Diseases (NDCs), the leaders acknowledged the continuing burden of NDCs as one of the Pacific’s most significant human development challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response to the Pacific NCD crisis.
Leaders called for accelerated implementation of the Pacific NCD Roadmap, recognising the growing impact of NCDs on health outcomes, public expenditure, productivity and human capital across the region.
With the recognition that NCDs remain a significant development challenge with impacts on health, productivity and economic resilience, Leaders reaffirmed support for strengthened implementation of the Pacific NCD Roadmap, including through investments in prevention, early intervention, health promotion and healthier communities.
Leaders have also expressed concern over the growing prevalence of emerging nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, particularly their targeting of young people, and encouraged regional solutions to protect public health and prevent the circumvention of existing safeguards.
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
PARENTS and communities will still be required to contribute financially towards schools despite the Government’s much-anticipated free education policy.
Principal Education Officer for the Education Provider Support Unit within the Ministry of Education and Human Resources (MEHRD), David Polosomana, clarified that the Government’s free education policy does not mean parents are completely free from all financial responsibilities towards schools.
Speaking during an education awareness programme in Western Province, Polosomana said parents will still be required to pay special fees to support school development and other activities.
“Don’t look at the financial side that the government is offering.
“Under the Act, parents and communities have a role to play in ensuring that there are better education services,” he said.
Polosomana explained that while the Government’s free education policy intends to reduce the financial burden on families and improve access to education, it does not remove the responsibility of parents and communities to support their schools.
He said the policy should not be understood in the sense that schools will have all their needs fully funded by the Government.
Polosomana said the Free Education policy sounds noble, but parents and communities still need to support schools in terms of infrastructure development and other needs.
“Our role as community is to fund the construction of staff houses and support schools in terms of clean-ups, fundraising and other needs that schools want,” he said.
Polosomana urges parents and communities to understand the policy from a broader perspective rather than focusing only on whether or not they will continue to make financial contributions.
“Communities should not look at one side,” he said.
Island Sun understands that the Government’s free education policy aims to make education more accessible and reduce the direct cost of schooling for families.
However, free education does not necessarily mean that parents will never pay any money to schools.
Government assistance is intended to support key costs associated with the delivery of education. Schools and communities may still require additional resources to meet local needs, particularly for infrastructure, maintenance and community-supported activities.
This means parents should distinguish between government-funded education costs and special contributions requested by schools for development and other activities.
For example, communities may still be expected to contribute towards projects such as staff houses, school clean-ups, fundraising activities, maintenance and other improvements that benefit students and teachers.
Polosomana’s clarification means that the free education policy should not be interpreted as a complete withdrawal of parents and communities from supporting schools.
Rather, the policy is intended to strengthen government support for education while maintaining the important role of communities in ensuring schools have the facilities and support they need.
The explanation comes as education authorities continue awareness programmes with school leaders and education providers across Western Province to ensure communities understand the education framework and their responsibilities under the law.
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BY BEN BILUA
Buala
COMMUNITIES within the Guguha Rural Health Clinic catchment area in Isabel province are stepping up efforts to fight the increasing number of malaria cases recorded in the area.
A week-long community health campaign was conducted this week across Hovikoilo, Popoheo, Kolosori, Guguha School, Gnulahage and Kolomola.
The campaign included health awareness programs, healthy setting training, community clean-up activities and the establishment of Community Health Committees.
Malaria Division officer at Buala Hospital, John Manesonia, said the community engagement was organised in response to the increasing number of malaria cases being recorded within Guguha area.
“Guguha RHC has recorded a very high number of malaria cases. We have been trying our best to deal with the communities, but this time it has been a success,” he said.
Manesonia said the establishment of Community Health Committees will allow communities to continue carrying out health-related activities after the campaign.
“We established Community Health Committees to carry on the duties,” he said.
Principal Health Promotion Officer Mercy Walani acknowledged the communities for their active participation throughout the week-long program.
She stressed that malaria is a potentially fatal disease and calls on communities to take greater responsibility to address factors contributing to its spread.
Walani said maintaining clean and healthy communities is one of the important ways of reducing malaria transmission.
“My advice is for communities to address the source of the issue. Engage in community clean-ups to destroy mosquito breeding sites.
“It is highly recommended that we deal with the issue at the primary stage – which is to address the source of the issue,” she said.
Walani said cooperation among communities is crucial to reduce malaria cases and improve overall health.
She explained that the activities were carried out under the Healthy Setting concept, which promotes stronger partnerships between health providers, communities and other stakeholders.
“Under the Healthy Setting concept, we establish the Community Health Committee to sustain the programs and activities at community level.
“These committees have their work plans and activities to ensure people are healthy and free from diseases like malaria and other diseases,” Walani said.
The establishment of the committees is expected to strengthen community participation in disease prevention and ensure health activities continue at village level beyond the week-long campaign.
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Education Provider Support Unit within the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) conducted an awareness programme for school leaders and education providers across Western Province.
The team is currently in Gizo after completing awareness programmes with schools in Marovo, Rendova, Munda, Noro and Kolombangara.
Principal Education Officer for the Education Provider Support Unit, David Polosomana, said the programme aims to introduce the Education Legislative Framework and promote compliance among education providers, school leaders and teachers.
Speaking to Island Sun, Polosomana said the programme is focused on socialising the legislative framework, with particular emphasis on the Administrative Instructions.
He said the awareness covers a number of important areas, including Administrative Instructions, Provincial Education Coordination, Education Providers, School Board establishment, School Administration, registration of schools and the conduct of teachers.
Polosomana said the programme has helped to provide education providers and school leaders with a clearer understanding of the key areas covered under the legislative framework.
“This is a very good step towards the implementation of the Education Legislative Framework in 2027.
“It is a positive start and will continue to support education providers and school leaders,” he said.
The Education Act 2023 and the strategic policies overseen by MEHRD provide the primary legislative and policy framework guiding the Solomon Islands education sector.
The framework provides the legal foundation for reforms that aim to strengthen school management, improve the quality of education and expand access to basic education and early childhood education.
MEHRD has prioritised the rollout and implementation of the framework as part of its education sector priorities for the 2026 fiscal year.
The awareness programme is expected to help education providers and school leaders prepare for the full implementation of the legislative framework from 2027.
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The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), in collaboration with the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development...
The post MNPDC Prepares Key Ministries for Third Batch of JDS Scholarship Nominations appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
所罗门国家规划与发展协调部(MNPDC)与日本人力资源开发援助(Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development)合作,
为第三批JDS奖学金提名做好准备。
该文章最初发布在In-depth Solomons上。
No confidence motion withdrawn, but experts say volatility could undermine PM Wale’s pivot to Canberra, Washington. by Charley Piringi Volatile...
The post Solomon Islands domestic political squabbles could frustrate diplomatic engagement appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department (EODD) of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has successfully removed and destroyed 467...
The post RSIPF Safely Removes and Destroys 467 WWII Explosive Ordnance in Western and Choiseul Provinces appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
by Georgina Maka’a Pacific Island leaders have endorsed a five-year regional security roadmap and raised concerns over recent unannounced intercontinental...
The post Pacific Leaders Endorse Five-Year Security Plan, Raise Alarm Over ICBM Tests appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
BY LORETTA B MANELE
Vaovao community is one of 10 communities in the Fox Bay area of West Guadalcanal.
The seashore is beautiful, complimented by its green scenery and the picturesque bay that connects these communities.
However, this beauty of a shoreline is at risk, because the sea side is often used as the local space for defaecation as the community lacks sanitation facilities.
Speaking with Chief Ignausius Pukini at Vaovao community, he said this has been a challenge along with the impacts of climate change which is affecting people in the community.
Chief Ignausius Pukini of Vaovao community in Fox Bay, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
Mr Pukini said they only have one toilet located further inland and the majority of people rely on the seaside.
The seaside that is often used as a sanitation spot, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
He said people usually go to the seaside during the night because of privacy matters and during the day, others go inland.
“That’s why in terms of our health, this is very bad because when you need to go, you have to travel further from your community,” he said.
Pukini said the impact of climate change is also contributing to the existing issue because the sea side that has been used is slowly fading as waves continuously wash ashore.
“Since the sea has been coming in closer, it is harder to use the seaside comfortably,” he said.
He said this is why they need sanitation because what is happening is not only unhealthy for them, but is also making the community look bad.
There is only one toilet in the whole community.
The only toilet in Vaovao community- Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
His wife, Camila Pukini also shared her views on the community’s situation saying in today’s world they need sanitation so they can be prevented from having all kinds of sicknesses.
Camila Pukini of Vaovao community in Fox Bay, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
Camila said when Tropical Cyclone Maila hit earlier this year, it ruined the seaside so it’s not safe anymore for them to use that spot.
Speaking on behalf of women of Vaovao community, she said they would really love to have proper sanitation facilities to use in each of their homes.
She said this would lessen health risks, ensure women and girls have privacy and they would be able to use sanitation facilities that are clean and safer for them.
Pukini said this will also be a boost to healthy living for their community.
While this issue has been raised with their Member of Parliament who had assured them that they would receive support, Pukini said they are yet to see that assurance bear fruit.
“We really need sanitation and this is something that we must have in our community.
“We would be grateful to receive any support for sanitation in our community or to be a part of any program to assist us to improve our sanitation,” she said.
Cathy Galasa, the community’s vice chairlady for a women’s association called Kusumana Women’s Association, also spoke about the need for sanitation.
Cathy Galasa of Vaovao community in Fox Bay, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
She said it is very sad that the community lacks proper toilets and that they have to use the seaside to relieve themselves.
Ms Galasa said what’s even worse is that they also have to travel far when they feel the need to go to the toilet.
“This is very bad for us and for our community because we are polluting our community and contributing to health risks,” she said.
Galasa said it also gives them a bad look using the sea side because it is the first place visitors or people who come over see when they arrive at the community.
She said having proper toilets will not only improve their standard of living and health in their community but also make their community cleaner for them and for people who come to their community.
“The lack of proper sanitation causes us to use wherever we want and this is very unhygienic for our community.
“We are not only polluting our surroundings but are creating unhygienic conditions that affect our health,” said Galasa.
She said it would be great if their community would be provided with support of sanitation facilities to help them address this issue.
*Reporting for this story was supported by Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS).
Photo credit: Loretta B Manele
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BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Physical Education (PE) teachers in Makira-Ulawa are being introduced to a different way of teaching sport, with greater emphasis being placed on students’ understanding, decision-making and active participation.
The approach formed part of a four-day professional development workshop in Kirakira involving PE teachers from 12 schools across the province.
The National Sports Council (NSC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and Solomon Islands National University (SINU), introduced teachers to the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGFU) approach during the training.
TGFU moves away from relying solely on repetitive skills training and encourages students to learn through the situations and challenges presented during games.
That means a PE lesson can become more than simply teaching a child how to pass, kick, throw or move. Students are also encouraged to think about when and why a particular skill should be used.
The approach places greater responsibility on students to read situations, make decisions and find solutions while remaining physically active.
For school sport, such methods can help children develop technical abilities alongside game awareness and confidence in making decisions.
Teachers were also introduced to learner-centred teaching and progressive skills development, giving them additional tools to adapt lessons to different ages and abilities.
The workshop linked PE teaching with Outcome-Based Education and the Solomon Islands National Curriculum Statement and also covered assessment, safety and inclusion.
SINU PE lecturer and researcher David Houpere led the core sessions, supported by NSC’s Carlson Hagemana and Education Manager Atu Balekana.
The training also allowed teachers to practise what they had learned through demonstrations, group activities, lesson planning and mock teaching sessions.
Hagemana said the workshop is only the beginning of the process, with continued support needed to ensure teachers can apply the methods effectively.
“Continued collaboration, follow-up support and mentoring will be important to help teachers apply what they have learned,” said Hagemana.
The new approach is being tested alongside age-appropriate PE activities developed by Shandong Foreign Trade Vocational College with support from China Aid and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
The initiative could give PE teachers another practical tool to help children become not only more physically active, but also more confident and thoughtful participants in sport.
Photo credit: NSC
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Hosts eye first points against Cook Islands
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Solomon Islands’ young women return to the National Stadium tonight with a crucial Group A encounter against Cook Islands in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, knowing that victory could put their campaign back on track.
The match kicks off at 7pm, following the afternoon meeting between early group leaders New Zealand and Fiji at 4pm.
Both Solomon Islands and Cook Islands go into tonight’s encounter without a point after suffering defeats in their opening matches. Solomon Islands is currently third in Group A on goal difference, while Cook Islands sit fourth.
The hosts opened their campaign against defending champions New Zealand on Monday, going down 5-0 after the Young Football Ferns produced a strong first-half performance. However, Solomon Islands showed greater defensive resilience after the break and managed to keep the defending champions scoreless for more than 45 minutes.
Cook Islands, meanwhile, endured a difficult introduction to the championship, suffering an 11-0 defeat to Fiji in the opening match. Fiji’s Adi Reva scored five goals in the emphatic victory, while Cook Islands struggled to contain the Fijians’ attacking pressure.
That result leaves both sides with plenty to play for tonight, with three points potentially keeping their hopes of progressing from the group alive.
Earlier today, New Zealand and Fiji meet in what promises to be an important top-of-the-table clash. Both sides have three points from their opening matches, with Fiji currently occupying first place on goal difference after their 11-0 win over Cook Islands, ahead of New Zealand following their 5-0 victory over Solomon Islands.
For the Solomon Islands youngsters, tonight provides an opportunity to respond in front of their home crowd and put their first points on the board.
With the tournament offering two qualification places for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2027, every point will be valuable as the hosts look to keep their campaign alive.
Group A standings before today’s matches:
Fiji – 3 points
New Zealand – 3 points
Solomon Islands – 0 points
Cook Islands – 0 points
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
The people of Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands are still suffering the deadly consequences of World War II, with unexploded bombs and other war remnants continuing to threaten lives and hamper development more than eight decades after the Guadalcanal Campaign.
Guadalcanal Province Premier Willie Atu, speaking during the Battle of Bloody Ridge Commemoration said Solomon Islanders are still living with the dangerous ‘remnants’ or ‘leftovers’ of the war fought on the island more than 80 years ago.
“80 years on the people of Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands for that matter, are still suffering from your remnants,” he said.
The Premier pointed to the tragic Mother’s Day barbecue incident in May 2021, when an unexploded wartime ordnance caused the deaths of two young Solomon Islands professionals, both university graduates.
A young woman also lost a limb in the incident and has since had to depend on daily support from relatives and friends.
Following the tragedy, she established the local association Bomb Free Solomon Islands to raise awareness of the continuing dangers posed by unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Atu said the UXO problem is also placing a heavy financial burden on Guadalcanal Province and affecting the implementation of infrastructure projects.
He explained that infrastructure development, particularly in areas close to Honiara, require UXO assessment surveys before construction can proceed.
“These have costed us millions of dollars,” he said, arguing that the money could otherwise be used to build another clinic or classroom for rural communities in Guadalcanal.
Atu further warned that the danger is not diminishing with time.
He referred to a study conducted by the University of Queensland in Australia and funded by the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which found that the danger is increasing as unexploded bombs continue to decay.
Communities have also reported illnesses that may be linked to exposure to toxins from deteriorating wartime ordnance.
According to figures cited in the speech, Solomon Islands Police recorded 7,773 unexploded-bomb callouts between 2011 and 2025, highlighting the scale of the problem that continues to confront communities.
Atu also warned that climate change is adding another layer of danger.
Flooding, storms and coastal erosion can expose buried bombs, accelerate their corrosion and potentially spread contaminated sediments into wells, rivers and coastal reefs.
He said increasingly acidic seas could also accelerate the release of chemicals from the deteriorating explosives.
The environmental and health consequences of the war are therefore continuing to unfold, with heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury found at sites where bombs and explosives are located.
As Solomon Islands continues to commemorate the sacrifices and battles of the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Premier stressed that the war’s legacy is not confined to history.
“Out there, people’s lives are still at risk and danger from that war fought here on our shores eighty years ago,” he said.
His remarks underscored a continuing challenge for Solomon Islands: while the country remembers the historic battles and honours those who fought and died, communities are still confronting the dangerous and costly leftovers of that conflict.
For Guadalcanal, the legacy of World War II remains not only in memorials and historical sites, but also beneath the ground, in the form of unexploded bombs that continue to threaten lives, the environment and development.
Australia, the United States, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) have all actively participated in international efforts to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the Solomon Islands.
These countries contribute through multinational military clearance exercises, direct financial grants, and training programs to build local capabilities.
Australia initiated and continues to lead Operation Render Safe, a recurring regional defence force operation dedicated to locating and safely destroying World War II-era remnants.
Australia also co-founded a joint assistance initiative to build up the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit.
United States has invested tens of millions of dollars since 2009 in weapons destruction activities. The US funds specialised technical groups, provides millions in grants to international demining NGOs like The HALO Trust, and supports the training of local EOD personnel.
Japan focuses heavily on capacity building and infrastructure. The Government of Japan provides financial grants to procure specialised machinery, excavators, and landing craft specifically designed to safely transport UXOs across islands. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force also runs regional training and public awareness operations.
New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom have deployed expert military explosive clearance teams and specialised personnel directly to the field during large-scale operations like Operation Render Safe.
Republic of Korea joined as an active participant in major multinational UXO clearance operations alongside the RSIPF.
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
THE 2026 Annual National Trade Fair has officially opened today at FOPA Village, SINU East Honiara, bringing together local businesses, entrepreneurs, producers and other stakeholders to showcase their products, services and innovative ideas.
The week-long event, which runs from September 9 to 16, is being held under the theme, “Innovating Today for a Sustainable Greater Solomon Islands Tomorrow.”
The annual trade fair provides a platform for local businesses and entrepreneurs to promote their products, engage directly with customers and establish connections with other businesses and stakeholders.
It also aims to promote innovation and local production while contributing to the growth and strengthening of the private sector in Solomon Islands.
Organisers expect the event to attract members of the public throughout the week, providing an opportunity for people to explore a wide range of locally produced goods and services and learn more about what local businesses have to offer.
The fair is open to the public daily from 8:00am to 10:30pm, giving businesses an extended opportunity to reach customers and showcase their products.
The National Trade Fair continues to serve as an important platform to support local enterprise and encourage Solomon Islanders to explore opportunities in production, business and innovation.
With this year’s focus on innovation and sustainability, the event also highlights the importance of developing a stronger and more resilient local private sector capable of contributing to the country’s future economic growth.
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BY TONY IROGA
Leader of the Official Opposition Group, Manasseh Sogavare, has warned the Government not to use the constitutional provision for interim spending as a substitute for timely preparation of the national Budget.
Mr Sogavare made the remarks in Parliament on Monday this week during debate before the motion for sine die.
He said Section 103(1) of the Constitution was intended as a temporary safeguard in circumstances where an Appropriation Act had not come into operation at the beginning of a financial year.
According to Mr Sogavare, the provision allows only the expenditure necessary to continue public services at a level not exceeding the previous year’s services.
He said such spending could continue only until the new Appropriation Act comes into force or four months have expired, whichever comes first.
Sogavare said the limitation has important implications for the Government’s plans for 2027.
“If Government chooses to proceed under section 103(1), it must be frank with this House and with the country about what that means,” Sogavare said.
He argued that major new programmes and expanded government services should not be considered fully funded under the interim arrangement simply because they have been announced.
Sogavare’s comments come as Parliament considers the Government’s approach to public spending ahead of the new financial year, with concerns raised over the need for proper Budget preparation and parliamentary approval.
Photo credit: NPSI
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BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
A trial on mud crab fattening at Heruiesi, Ward 21, Small Malaita, is making progress, according to the Auki Fisheries team.
The team with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) initiated the project in late April this year.
Speaking to Island Sun this morning, Auki Senior Fisheries Officer Mathew Isihanua said progress has been made with crabs increasing in size as they develop.
Isihanua said the Heruiesi community has completed its first harvest and have introduced a new batch of small mud crabs for fattening.
“The mud crab fattening program commenced in early April this year, with the first harvest successfully completed.
“After a period of one month, the mud crabs seem to grow bigger and shed their first skin. Each day, the new soft body of the crabs becomes stronger and bigger than the first one. They appear to shed their skin two to three times before becoming mature,” he said.
Isihanua said the second batch of small mud crabs was collected by the community itself for the fattening activity.
He said the mud crab fattening activity will move into full implementation once the team completes monitoring to ensure the crabs are fit and healthy and that the area is suitable for the activity.
The Heruiesi mud crab fattening site was identified by the JICA team and Malaita Fisheries following consultations with the community.
Photos: Supplied
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BY LORETTA B MANELE
For every parent, bringing your child to school on their first day for the first time is always emotional.
While you are content that your little boy or girl has finally reached that age to attend ECE education, there is another side to this story from a teacher’s view.
Audrey Karaha is one of two ECE (Early Childhood Education) teachers at Fox Bay Kindy in West Guadalcanal.
There is a supervisor with Karaha as the classroom teacher.
Audrey Karaha, ECE teacher at Fox Bay Kindy, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
This year marks Karaha’s second year teaching and for this year, they have 56 children enrolled but are poor in resources.
The Kindy was not only poor in resources but also in water supply and fencing.
Karaha said they received grant but it wasn’t enough because this same grant, mainly for stationaries, was also shared with four other Kindy schools in West Guadalcanal.
“At Fox Bay Kindy, we are okay with the supply of stationary. In terms of development we are struggling to build one more staff house,” she said.
Karaha said the classroom also needs maintenance and repair, another toilet and clean and proper water supply.
The school’s only toilet. Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
“We also need proper water supply because it doesn’t come on all the time. When it reaches the point where the water supply is off, it is off,” she said.
Karaha said sadly, when water supply is cut off, they have to end their lessons during break time.
“ECE education is important because it is the first time a child enters education or school and ECE is also called the play base curriculum.
“So, students come to play and start their learning,” she said.
Karaha said ending classes early means lessening the learning time for their students.
Lastly, she said they also need proper fencing.
Current fencing at Fox Bay Kindy, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
She calls on their member of parliament, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) or NGOs to support them with repair of the classroom, a water tank and proper fencing.
Audrey said a tank would really help when the water goes off so they don’t end classes early for their students.
The sight at Kindy classroom in Fox Bay is saddening.
A place to nurture children during the early stages of their learning journey seemed like to have gone through so much with so little care given.
The only tank available was located just outside the classroom and it was dirty looking, supposedly old and in very poor condition.
The school tank is in very poor condition, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
Outside the classroom walls, brown paper plastered against the walls, which was said to have been put there to cover holes outside the classroom.
A huge hole is visible outside of the classroom building, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
The ceiling was also rotting slowly both outside and inside the class.
The ceiling inside the classroom slowly deteriorating, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
There is one staff house for two teachers while a new one is still in the very early stages of being constructed.
A new staff house, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
Work on the second staff house is still in its early stages, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
The current fencing is also in dire need of repair to keep the compound safe and in front of the class room is what used to be a huge puddle of water now not completely dried up but still susceptible to be filled up again if heavy downpour should fall or salt water by natural means should flow in.
While its location is not too close to the seashore it is still located in a distance one could deem unsafe if cyclones or huge waves sweep in.
And even the posts holding up the classroom building are experiencing old age with evident cracks from cement that is trying to hold the posts in place.
One of the posts of the classroom building slowly deteriorating, Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
Apart from the need of resources, stable water supply, sanitation and fencing, the kindy needs a total makeover.
After all, it is where children begin their learning and they deserve as any other child in Solomon Islands to learn in a classroom that is equipped with resources, clean and available water supply and in an environment that is safe, and not one that is dry, thirsty and unsafe.
*Reporting for this story was supported by Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS).
Photo credit: Loretta B Manele
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Government launches a 10-year biosecurity strategy to protect agriculture, food security, trade and the rural economy. The Government through ministry of agriculture and livestock has launched the Solomon Islands National Biosecurity Strategy 2026–2036, a 10-year framework today aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to biosecurity threats. The strategy focuses on [...]
The post Solomon Islands Launches 10-Year National Biosecurity Strategy appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
PRC delivers 22 water tanks to West Makira schools and communities to improve access to clean drinking water. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has delivered 22 water tanks to West Makira Constituency to support access to clean drinking water for schools and communities. The tanks were formally handed over during a brief event at [...]
The post 22 Water Tanks Delivered to Support West Makira Schools and Communities appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
Opposition demands answers over claims Australian aid and treaty talks may be linked to Solomon Islands’ domestic politics. The Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition is deeply concerned by communications that appear to reveal an extraordinary attempt to use prospective Australian financial assistance and bilateral treaty negotiations to influence the outcome of Solomon [...]
The post Opposition Demands Answers Over Apparent Foreign Interference in Solomon Islands Politics appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
By Charley Piringi & Peter Shanel Agovaka, the Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal and leader of the Independent Group,...
The post Central Guadalcanal MP Warns Against Online Division, Calls for National Unity appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Grassroots sport development in Makira-Ulawa province has received a boost after 60 school and sports representatives completed the province’s first Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP) and Physical Education (PE) training in Kirakira.
The five-day programme, held from August 29 to September 2, was delivered by the National Sports Council (NSC) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
The training brought together school leaders from seven local schools, alongside representatives from the province’s rugby, netball, volleyball and football associations.
OSEP and PE participants engage in practical training and activities during the first programme delivered in Makira-Ulawa Province.
Rather than focusing solely on sporting skills, the programme targeted the people responsible for developing and managing sport at school and community level.
Participants were introduced to areas including sports governance, coaching, athlete development, event organisation, risk management, child safety and the establishment of sustainable sporting clubs.
The programme combined classroom sessions with practical exercises, allowing participants to test coaching techniques, plan community sporting activities and receive feedback from facilitators and fellow participants.
Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government Minister for Community Governance, Youth and Sports Daniel Dautaha welcomed the initiative, saying grassroots sport remained an important foundation for national sports development.
OSEP and PE participants engage in practical training and activities during the first programme delivered in Makira-Ulawa.
“Grassroots sport is the foundation of sports development in our country,” Dautaha said.
He encouraged participants to take the knowledge gained from the programme back to their schools and communities and use it to create more opportunities for young people to participate in sport.
NSC officials said the training was designed to strengthen the capacity of teachers, coaches, administrators, team managers and community sports leaders.
OSEP Master Educator and NSC Education Manager Atueta Balekana said the response from participants demonstrated the value of taking practical sports education into the provinces.
“The response from the participants shows the importance of bringing practical sports education and capacity building closer to our provinces and communities,” Balekana said.
Participants take part in an outdoor practical session during the first OSEP and PE programme in Makira-Ulawa Province.
The programme also promoted greater coordination between education and sport, with participants exploring ways to organise safe, enjoyable and sustainable activities for their communities.
The group included 48 women and 12 men, while two participants — one male and one female — were persons with disabilities.
NSC Provincial Sports and Recreational Supervisor Carlson Hagemana and Sports and Recreational Development Coordinator for Makira-Ulawa Edward Quiroquiro joined Balekana in facilitating the programme.
The completion of the Makira-Ulawa programme marks the beginning of a wider provincial sports capacity-building rollout by NSC.
Similar programmes are planned for Isabel, Western and Central Islands provinces in the coming weeks as the Council continues efforts to strengthen grassroots sport and physical activity across Solomon Islands.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring provincial teachers, coaches and sports administrators have the practical skills needed to develop sport from the community level upwards.
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