Government through the Ministry of Forestry and Research (SIG) and Wildlife Works Carbon (WWC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday to protect forests, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen community livelihoods across the Solomon Islands.
The signing was conducted at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel in Honiara between Richard Roamae, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Research and Brian William, WWC Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific.
The initiative began with six provinces — Guadalcanal, Malaita, Western Province, Isabel, Choiseul, and Makira-Ulawa — and is expected to expand as consultations continue.
This MoU marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between the SIG and WWC to promote sustainable forest management, and supporting carbon and climate mitigation initiatives in the Solomon Islands.
It underscores our shared commitment to our environmental stewardships and national development priorities.
Richard Roamae, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Research, described the agreement as a turning point.
“This is not only the beginning of a shared vision, but also a commitment to safeguarding our environment, empowering our communities, and building a sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.
He stressed that the partnership would deliver tangible benefits for rural communities.
“This partnership will help us protect our forests, reduce carbon emissions, and create opportunities for our people, especially in rural communities, through sustainable economic initiatives.
“It is a demonstration of how environmental stewardship and human development can go together.”
He extended his gratitude to Wildlife Works for their commitment and collaboration.
“Together, we are charting a path that honors our responsibility to the planet, while ensuring that our people benefit from the resources entrusted to us.
“I want to acknowledge the presence of many government and municipal agencies, whose collaboration will be essential as we support progress.
“Let this signing be a symbol of hope, unity, and determination, inspiring us all to continue working towards a future where the Solomon Islands stands as a leader in conservation and sustainable development.”
Brian William, Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific at Wildlife Works, emphasized the importance of customary landowners in the process.
“The forests of the Solomon Islands are globally significant, but first and foremost, they belong to the people of this country, held under customary tenure, stewarded across generations, and deeply connected to identity, culture, and livelihood.
“Any initiative in forest conservation or carbon development must therefore be grounded in clear recognition of customary land rights, and it must ensure that landowners and communities are meaningful decision-makers and beneficiaries, not observers in the process.
“This MOU represents an important first step. It creates a framework to explore how high-integrity forest carbon initiatives can support national climate leadership while strengthening forest economies and reinforcing community stewardship of forests.”
The signing brought together provincial leaders from the six provinces, customary landowners, civil society groups, and development partners.
Both sides hailed the agreement as a milestone in aligning conservation with community rights and national climate leadership.
By ANDRIANAH DELASALET KOLE
Solomon Star, Honiara
