GRML Respond to Public Concerns about Dam Construction within Mining Lease Area THE management of Gold Ridge Mining Limited acknowledges the serious concerns raised by members of the public. The concerns arised after a viral video on social media about the dam construction at Pit One within the company’s mining lease area that reportedly blocked the Chovohio and Charivunga rivers and... READ MORE USP Signs Partnership Agreement to Foster Sustainable Agricultural Research THE University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) signed a partnership agreement at the Australian High Commission in Suva this week in a significant step towards fostering innovation and sustainable agricultural research in the Pacific. Through its Pacific Agricultural Scholarship Support (PASS)... READ MORE ‘Partners Visit Tina River Hydropower Site as the Project Advances’ Honiara, March 19, 2025 – A high-level delegation from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), accompanied by representatives from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (Korea Ex-Im Bank), visited the Tina River... READ MORE Solomon Islands Government Advances Biodiversity Protection and Community Resilience with EREPA Project HONIARA, Solomon Islands 25th March 2025 – The Solomon Islands Government (SIG), through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), is well into the implementation phase of the “Ensuring Resilient Ecosystems and Representative Protected Areas in Solomon Islands (EREPA)” project. This initiative aims to protect Solomon... READ MORE Biosecurity Officers Intercept Fresh Produce at Henderson International Airport The Biosecurity Airport Operations team at Henderson International Airport on March, intercepted fresh produce carried by passengers. While the majority of travellers declared their baggage, a small number failed to comply with biosecurity requirements. These undeclared items were identified through customs and biosecurity X-ray screenings. Several passengers whose belongings were... READ MORE Creative Workshop Dealing with Environmental Pollution underway in Auki, Malaita A three-day workshop aiming to empower 30 young students from Auki's surrounding communities to creatively engage with environmental issues is underway at the provincial capital, Auki. Facilitated by Dreamcast Theatre Solomon Islands, it encourages creativity to deal with environmental issues such as plastic waste, biodiversity, and climate change through a... READ MORE “Our Collective Responsibility to protect and Restore our Forests” BY CHRIS ALEX Head of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Agriculture Department, Patterson Giza, highlighted the indispensable role of forests in sustaining life, securing livelihoods, and ensuring food security for communities. “Forests are not just trees; they are the lifeline of our environment, supporting biodiversity, regulating climate, and providing essential... READ MORE Sanitation Project Officially Handed Over to United Church Community in Tulagi BY CHRIS ALEX THE United Church community in Tulagi received a significant boost recently last week with the official handover of a newly completed sanitation project. The project aims to improve access to clean water and sanitation for church members and visitors attending mission programs. Hon. Michael Salini, the Member of Provincial... READ MORE Australia Partners Supports Taro Farmers and Creates Jobs LOCAL Malaita business Goshen Enterprise is partnering with Australia to help taro farmers increase production to meet growing demand for product in Honiara. Australia’s support, in collaboration with Solomon Islands Government ministries, will help Goshen scale up operations creating more local jobs, supporting more farmers, and contributing to the development... READ MORE Preparatory Work Continues at Bina Harbour with Marine Geotechnical Study Honiara, Solomon Islands – March 21, 2025 – A SECOND phase of geotechnical investigations was conducted in Malaita province last month progressing the Solomon Island Government’s plan for a new world class tuna processing facility and port at Bina Harbour. The marine ‘over water’ study by engineering firm Tonkin and... READ MORE Forestry Permanent Secretary: Forest and Food Are Crucial FOREST and food are indeed crucial to the survival of humanity, as well as the entire forest ecosystem and as custodians we, humans have a responsibility to ensure it is sustainably managed and are not being overexploited. Forestry Permanent Secretary, Richard Raomae highlighted in commemorating International Forest Day on 21st... READ MORE Solomon Islands and Australia Strengthen Meteorological Partnership BY CHRIS ALEX A new twinning partnership between the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology was officially launched on Tuesday this week in Honiara. This collaboration aims to enhance meteorological capabilities in the Solomon Islands through knowledge sharing, technical support, and upgraded infrastructure. Speaking at the launch... READ MORE Solomon Islands Strengthens Climate Finance Coordination Honiara, 28 February 2025 – The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing access to climate finance and strengthening public spending during the 2nd Climate Typology Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting, held at the Ministry of National Planning and Aid Coordination (MNPDC)). This Technical-level discussion marked a crucial... READ MORE Solomon Islands Ngali Nut Products Shine at FoodEx 2025 in Tokyo BY JOY OFASIA Dr. Shane Tutua, co-owner of SolAgro, is representing the Solomon Islands at the prestigious FoodEx 2025 expo in Tokyo, Japan, according to JICA Solomon Islands. Earlier this month, he is showcasing the company’s ngali nut products and herbal teas to potential buyers from around the world. The expo,... READ MORE ADRA Delivers New Ablution Block for Ghatere School THE Ghatere Adventist Primary School (GAPS) on South Kolobanagara Island in Western Province has received a new Sanitation Facility (Ablution Block) from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). The official handover took place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Ghatere Village School Compound, with a large gathering of community... READ MORE Solomon Islands National University Launches Centre for Islands Futures to Champion Indigenious Knowledge and Sustainability THE Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has marked a significant milestone in its journey to reshape higher education with the official launch of the Centre for Islands Futures (CIF). The inaugural event, held on 17 March 2025, was attended by staff, students, and distinguished guests, including members of the Islands... READ MORE MECDM Formalizes Pamahima Tribal Forest Protected Areas (PTFPA) Rangers with Issuance of Rangers ID Cards. HONIARA, Solomon Islands, 3rd March 2025 – The Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) under Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) handed over ID cards for rangers of Pamahima Tribal Forest Protected Area (PA) through its Project Partners, Ecological Solutions Foundation (ESF) witnessed by FAO IFMP.... READ MORE Key Government Biodiversity Policy Document-Solomon Islands National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP) is Under Review MINISTRY of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology (MECDM) through the Environment & Conservation Division (ECD) is reviewing one of the Government key Biodiversity Policy documents-the Solomon Islands National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP). An oversight committee consists of relevant Government Ministries and NGO partners was established to oversee... READ MORE World Consumer Rights Day 2025 – A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles “Just, Inclusive and Equitable Energy Transition” – Are Pacific Island Countries’ moving quickly towards 100 percent renewable energy? THE harmful effects of fossil fuels on the environment are now well-documented. There is a global push to move to renewable sources of energy and reduce the usage of fossil fuels to... READ MORE British High Commissioner Highlights Energy Reforms and Renewable Shift in Solomon Islands BY CHRIS ALEX British High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Paul Turner, has reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the country’s transition to renewable energy. In a recent media briefing, Turner outlined the importance of regulatory reforms and the shift towards sustainable energy sources, particularly solar power. Turner acknowledged that approximately... READ MORE