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As a longtime friend of the Solomon Islands, let me say the aim of this website is to bring you news about the Solomon Islands, promote tourism to the "Happy Isles” and generate donations for causes in the Solomons that will provide income for charitable institutions dependent on aid and help to give much needed money for local craftsmen and women.

I would encourage you to see for yourself a most unique and different part of the world and meet friendly, hospitable people while enjoying the sheer delights and beauty of a easy accessible Pacific paradise.

CHALLENGES TO OCEAN CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Cites Human Behaviour as a Key Factor in addressing the Challenges

Honiara : 2 September 2016

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, the Hon Manasseh Sogavare, said a key deep-seated challenge facing ocean conservation and management in the Pacific is human behaviour.

The Prime Minister told the one-day Pacific Ocean Summit of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in the Hawaiian capital, Honolulu, yesterday, Wednesday 1st September, that ocean management is really not the challenge facing Pacific conservation efforts but the rather the management of human behaviour towards the ocean.

“The adage that we cannot manage the oceans but instead need to manage the behaviour of people who use the ocean, summarises one of the key deep-seated challenges confronting us in the Pacific. "

He added that the importance placed on the ocean is often centered on what can be derived from it and so the value of the ocean is degraded by this notion of maximisation of derivable benefits.

The Prime Minister said this notion issue cannot be address overnight but requires commitment by all and at all levels in dealing with the concerns.

He said ocean governance regimes have been developed and global and regional ocean policy-setting conferences held yet actions remain sparse and fragmented and it is not at all surprising that the Pacific Ocean and its habitats continue to be threatened by pollution and over-harvesting.

“Many of our existing ocean governance regimes perpetuate the skewed focus as, outlined. and we need to address this if we are to deal with the manifested threats.”

The Prime Minister concluded that, “ There are no silver bullets but what is clear is that the connectivity and complexity of the Pacific Ocean requires genuine partnership to leverage and catalyse action to address the threats.”

Source: Solomon Islands Government Press Release.

SOLOMON ISLANDS STATUS TO BE UNPGRADED

Solomon Islands to graduate from UN’s least developed countries list

Quoting the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation – 18 March 2018

“A United Nations expert committee announced last week that Solomon Islands is one of four countries that could soon graduate from the ranks of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable nations.

“According to the UN News Centre, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Bhutan and Sao Tome and Principe have increased national earning power and improved access to health care and education, making them eligible to exit the group of least developed countries.

“This is an historic occasion,” said Jose Antonio Ocampo, chair of the Committee for Development Policy.

“He noted that only five countries have graduated since the UN established the LDC category in 1971.

“LDCs are assessed based on health and education targets, economic vulnerability and gross national income per capita.

“Countries must meet two of the three criteria at two consecutive triennial reviews by the Committee for Development Policy to be considered for graduation.

“The committee will send its recommendations to the UN Economic and Social Council for endorsement, which will then refer its decision to the UN General Assembly.”

SUPPORT FOR MORE GENDER BALANCE

NZ MPs support better gender balance in Melanesian politics

Quoting Radio New Zealand – 5 October 2018

“New Zealand's parliamentary speaker says it will take time to improve gender equality in Melanesian political parties.

“Trevor Mallard has led a cross party group of New Zealand politicians including five women on a six day tour to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands this week.

“He said the group had positive discussions about the contributions Melanesian women can make in parliament but he says there is still a lot of progress to be made.

"Part of the message was the fact that we had five women as part of our delegation. Both senior and junior members of parliament. We talked quite a lot about how the different skills of women make a big difference to a parliament.

"So it's good for parties to have women as candidates. And people received that pretty well."

“Mr Mallard said it appears reserved seats for women will not happen in time for the Solomon Islands election in March next year.”

SI: TAIWAN TIES

Solomons ruling party says it will review Taiwan relationship if re-elected

Quoting Radio New Zealand – 25 January 2019

“The governing party in Solomon Islands says it will review the country's relationship with Taiwan if it returns to power at this year's election.

“Solomon Islands is one of Taiwan's few remaining allies, as it continues to jostle with an increasingly powerful China.

“The Democratic Alliance Party's manifesto says diplomatic ties with Taiwan will be reviewed, and the country would embrace a so-called 'look north' policy.

“The party says that would involve taking better advantage of opportunities with Asia, which could include opening itself to China.

“The Solomon Islands' support for Taiwan has seen it excluded from aid, loans, grants, visits and other perks from Beijing.

“Taiwan is one of Solomon Islands' largest donors, but the number of countries that recognise it has dwindled in the face of China's growing power.

“The DAP also pledged to continue its recognition of Indonesia's sovereignty over West Papua.”

Welcome To Solomon Islands In Focus

CHALLENGES TO OCEAN CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

SOLOMON ISLANDS STATUS TO BE UNPGRADED

SUPPORT FOR MORE GENDER BALANCE

SI: TAIWAN TIES