Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea — A delegation from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) led by Dr Christopher Vehe, Permanent Secretary, has participated in the 2025 Papua New Guinea Petroleum and Energy Conference, held from 8–9 October 2025 at The Stanley Hotel & Suites, Port Moresby.
The Solomon Islands delegation was further strengthened by the participation of His Excellency William Soaki, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, whose presence underscored the growing cooperation between the two Melanesian neighbours in the fields of petroleum and energy development.
Now recognised as the premier platform for petroleum and energy dialogue in the Pacific region, the PNG Petroleum & Energy Conference continues to grow in influence each year—fostering meaningful discussions, strategic partnerships, and tangible investment outcomes.
The 2025 Conference theme, “The Next 50,” celebrates Papua New Guinea’s 50th Anniversary of Independence while focusing on charting a sustainable and innovative energy future for the next five decades. Discussions centred on energy diversification, investment in cleaner technologies, and regional collaboration for shared energy security and economic resilience.
Dr Vehe noted that the Conference theme and objectives closely align with the Solomon Islands Energy Summit 2024, where the national focus was on maximising the country’s energy mix as both a challenge and an opportunity to transform the Solomon Islands’ economic landscape.
“The Solomon Islands’ participation in this year’s PNG Petroleum & Energy Conference presents a valuable opportunity to learn from our regional neighbours and to explore partnership avenues that can help shape our own energy transition pathway.
“Our future depends on smart, sustainable, and inclusive energy solutions,” said Dr Christopher Vehe, Permanent Secretary, MMERE.
Through participation in the Conference, the Solomon Islands delegation engaged with leading energy and petroleum stakeholders, international investors, and regional policymakers—highlighting the country’s growing interest in sustainable energy development, private sector collaboration, and cross-border cooperation in the Pacific energy landscape.
“This engagement is timely as the Solomon Islands continues to strengthen its policy and institutional framework to attract responsible investments in its emerging energy and mineral sectors,” Dr Vehe added.
The Conference outcomes are expected to inform ongoing policy reforms within MMERE, particularly in energy transition strategies, investment facilitation, and regional integration efforts aimed at enhancing energy security and economic resilience for the Solomon Islands.
– OPMC
