Premier of Western Province, Hon. Billy Veo, emphasized the critical importance of traditional ties between communities as he welcomed senior officials from Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to Noro.
Speaking at the opening dinner for the 10th Joint Border Committee and 15th Senior Officials Meeting on Monday at the Marina Hotel in Noro, Western Province Premier Veo said the agreements being discussed are not abstract documents for his people.
They are rooted in centuries of shared traditions, trade, and kinship that predate any modern boundary.
Western Province, he pointed out, is the largest province in Solomon Islands, spanning 7,509 square kilometres from Ngatokae to the Shortland Islands, bordering Bougainville.
This vast region, with more than 94,000 residents, has a complex history from the age of Tomoko war canoes to the transformative arrival of Christianity and provincial governance after Independence.
Premier Veo also underlined how the border region is a vital lifeline for cross-border families and small traders.
He urged the officials to remember that their work impacts the safety of small craft, youth opportunities, and the ability of border communities to thrive in a global economy.
As the meeting progresses, he urged officials to give stronger voice to these border communities, ensuring their concerns are heard and acted upon.
He further called on all participants to safeguard the region, keeping it peaceful and prosperous, while honoring the deep-rooted connections that tie these communities across borders.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
