Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele has called for deeper collaboration between government, academia, and development partners to drive sustainable and inclusive growth in the Solomon Islands.
Speaking at the ‘Inaugural Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and Australian National University (ANU) Seminar on Sustainable and Inclusive Development’, at the Panatina Campus on Monday morning, Prime Minister Manele said the seminar’s theme, “Navigating Change: Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Development in the Solomon Islands,” is timely as the country prepares to celebrate its 50th Independence Anniversary in 2028.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the partnership between SINU and the ANU as a vital platform to support evidence-based policymaking.
“Research and data must inform every major policy decision, from how we plan our economy and manage our natural resources to how we invest in human capital and safeguard our environment,” he stated.
PM Manele noted that the mid-term review of the National Development Strategy (2016–2035) revealed mixed progress across the country’s five national objectives, saying the government remains determined to get back on track through stronger collaboration and knowledge-driven policy.
He reaffirmed the Government for National Unity and Transformation’s commitment to achieving the national vision by anchoring its policies on four national pillars- Economic Transformation, Unity and Stability, Infrastructure Development, and Human Capital Development saying, partnerships with institutions like SINU are essential to achieving these goals.
The Prime Minister stressed, the government views SINU not just as an academic institution but as the nation’s hub of knowledge, an essential partner in shaping policy and guiding development planning.
He highlighted the newly established SINU–Government Partnership Policy as a milestone that formalizes cooperation between the university and key ministries, ensuring that SINU-led research directly informs national policies and cabinet decisions.
He also commended SINU’s leadership under Vice Chancellor Prof. Transform Aqorau for expanding partnerships with regional universities, including ANU, saying such collaborations strengthen research capacity and provide opportunities for shared learning.
“As we navigate change, our greatest resource is our people- resilient, resourceful, and deeply rooted in faith and culture. Let us turn academic inquiry into practical policy and transform research into real solutions for our people,” the Prime Minister stated.
The SINU–ANU seminar marks the start of a new collaborative series that aims to bridge research and policy, turning academic insight into practical solutions that support the Solomon Islands’ journey toward an inclusive and prosperous future.
– OPMC
