FOR decades, the Pacific Islands region has been heavily reliant on donor funding to support development, governance, and capacity-building initiatives. While donor support has played a role in strengthening institutions, it has also created a dependency cycle where many regional organisations struggle to be financially independent and responsive to the real needs of Pacific communities.…
The Pacific in an Era of Geopolitical Fluidity Keynote Address by Professor Transform Aqorau, Vice Chancellor of SINU at the PIPSA Convention in Wellington from 20 to 21 February 2025 Introduction – A Personal Reflection on China’s Presence in the Pacific Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. (Greetings, greetings, greetings to you all,) E…
TSI: On the 11th of February, 2025, Transparency International launched the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of 180 countries and territories around the world including Solomon Islands. The CPI score measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption (the Machinery of Government perceived corruption levels). The scores reflect the viewers of experts and surveys from businesspeople…
By Peter Forau Honiara SOLOMON Islands, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of approximately 20%, has one of the lowest debt burdens in the Pacific region, as highlighted by the World Bank. This fiscal prudence offers a unique opportunity for the country to leverage its debt capacity to spur economic growth through strategic deficit financing. In this…
The progress of any nation can only be as swift as its progress in education. In the words of President John F. Kennedy, “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.” This profound truth has never been more relevant for the Solomon…
SOLOMON Islands is considering a significant reform to its State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Act, proposing to consolidate control of SOEs under the Minister of Finance and Treasury. This shift would replace the current system where multiple ministers oversee various SOEs. The proposal has sparked debate, with organizations such as Transparency International voicing concerns. However, this reform…
IN Solomon Islands, I have noticed a concerning trend: many Members of Parliament (MPs) focus heavily on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), while neglecting their broader responsibilities, especially those related to creating real opportunities for economic empowerment and development. The CDF, designed as a financial tool to support grassroots development, has unfortunately become a magnet for…
THERE is something deeply unsettling about the recent appointments to the Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) Board. While Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification, Honorable Bradley Tovosia may have exercised his legal powers under the Solomon Islands Water Authority Act, I can’t help but feel that this process reeks of…
HONIARA’S public transportation system is a lifeline for thousands of residents who depend on buses to commute daily. However, the ongoing issue of short bus routes has become a major source of frustration for the public, damaging the city’s reputation and highlighting the need for urgent action from the Honiara City Council. For years, bus…
Alfred Sasako’s narrative of the Christian Fellowship Church (CFC), which appeared on Solomon Star No. 8879, dated 7 September, 2024, was a rephrasing/rewriting of an earlier narratives from the Tavuli News titled “Survivors Courages Account Exposes Severe Abuse and Coercion by CFC Group A Leader,” and a much earlier one in “the Burning of houses…