A delegation from the Solomon Islands, headed by the Honourable Manasseh Maelanga, Minister for Infrastructure Development (MID), is actively participating in the first General Assembly of the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) in Singapore from February 18-21, 2025.
This participation represents a significant milestone for the Solomon Islands, following its official accession to IALA as a member state in 2024.
As the 35th member state of IALA and the first from the Pacific Islands region, the Solomon Islands delegation is committed to supporting IALA’s transition to an intergovernmental organisation.
“We are honoured to be part of this inaugural General Assembly and to contribute to shaping the future of maritime navigation globally,” stated Hon. Maelanga.
“The Solomon Islands recognizes the critical role maritime safety and efficient vessel movement play in our sustainable development, especially for our island communities.”
During the Assembly, the Solomon Islands delegation will champion increased technical cooperation to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDC’s), with a specific focus on the Pacific Islands region. The delegation’s primary objective is to ensure that all nations, regardless of their size or resources, have access to the essential tools and support needed to enhance maritime safety and optimize vessel movement.
Furthermore, the Solomon Islands has declared its candidacy for the IALA Council, which will be elected during the week-long meeting. This underscores the nation’s dedication to actively contributing to the governance and strategic direction of the organization.
The Solomon Islands’ commitment is driven by its unique geographical context. With an expansive ocean area of 1.6 million square kilometres and a population spread across more than 300 islands, the maritime sector is crucial for the country’s connectivity, trade, and economic development. The government, supported by the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA), is fully dedicated to fulfilling its maritime obligations and actively participating in technical cooperation initiatives to establish compliant and efficient navigation services.
This week’s assembly brings together over 300 delegates from 65 countries to review progress in modern navigation implementation, particularly in developing maritime nations. The assembly will also elect the IALA Council and set future strategic priorities.
Officials accompanying Minister Maelanga include MID Deputy Secretary Corporate Services Mr. Andrew Houlia, SIMA Director and IALA Focal Point Mr. Thierry Nervale, and SIMA Senior Officer Safety of Navigation Mr. Patrick Wamahe.
Source: GCU
