Turkey has been confirmed as the host nation for COP31, ending Australia’s campaign to bring next year’s global climate summit to the Pacific. The decision followed intense negotiations at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and resulted in a rare dual-leadership compromise granting Australia a central role in steering the 2026 climate negotiations. Pacific nations—many on the…
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is set to transform its sovereign maritime security capability with the arrival of two state-of-the-art Naiad vessels. The boats were delivered through a partnership with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Defence Cooperation Program. The new vessels, designed for speed and versatility, will enable RSIPF officers…
A total of SBD572 million investment has been announced by the Australian Government to deliver reliable, secure, and high-speed internet connectivity for the people of Solomon Islands. Senator the Hon. Nita Green MP, Assistant Minister for Pacific Affairs and Tourism, announced the commitment during the Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane joined by the…
LEADER of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has called for urgent reforms in the telecommunications sector describing the competition policy as ‘very weak’. Speaking during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing recently, Hon Wale said urgent changes need to be done within the telecommunications sector. Hon Wale made these comments when the Ministry of Communications and…
Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has acknowledged the Australian Government for its continuous support towards infrastructure development in Solomon Islands. Minister responsible for Infrastructure Development Ricky Fuo’o echoed the acknowledgement this week at the two-day 14th Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum (14th ASIBF) in Brisbane, Australia. The theme for the event is: “Connecting for…
THE case of former Gao-Bugotu Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel Manetoali has been adjourned till November 24 for a possible plea on the 10 conversion charges remitted for retrial in the Honiara Magistrate Court by the Court of Appeal. His case was mentioned for the first time in the Honiara Magistrate Court on Monday following…
Solomon Islands has reiterated that climate finance is a legal duty—not an act of goodwill—during the 3rd High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Finance at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Delivering remarks on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology on Saturday in Belem Brazil, Hon. Polycarp…
KONGU LAVATA, a small but resource-rich community just several minutes by boat from Gizo, Western Province has achieved a historic milestone by officially registering its first Community-Based Management (CBM) system. This milestone initiative is aimed at improving local governance, conservation, and community development. Once described as a “neglected community,” Kongu Lavata is home to diverse ethnic groups and mixed…
The Solomon Islands will re-open its Embassy and Permanent Mission in Geneva, signalling a renewed commitment to deepening its diplomatic engagement with Switzerland, the United Nations Organization, the World Trade Organization and other International Organisations and agencies based in Geneva. Foreign Minister Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka signed a Memorundum of Understanding (MOU) with HE Mr.…
CELSIUS Talifilu, the political adviser to the late former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani, has been acquitted of two counts of unlawful assembly after the Honiara Magistrate Court ruled that he had no case to answer. Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti delivered the ruling this week, following no-case-to-answer submission made by Talifilu’s lawyer, Lily Ramo of JustLaw…