The Government of Solomon Islands today exchanged Notes and signed two Grant Agreements with the Government of Japan under the Economic and Social Development Programme for two key projects benefiting government ministries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, signed the agreements with the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Maruo Katsumasa, and the Resident Representative of JICA Solomon Islands Office, Mr. Kawasaki Mitsuyoshi.
The two Grant Agreements will benefit the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) and the Ministry of Forestry and Research, respectively.
Waste Management Grant
The first Grant Agreement, valued at One Hundred and Forty-Seven Million Japanese Yen (SBD $8.2 million), will strengthen the capacity of MECDM through the provision of waste treatment equipment.
Minister Agovaka said this support will enhance national efforts to address waste management challenges, protect public health, and safeguard the environment.
The Minister also acknowledged the continued assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through its regional initiative, the Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management in Pacific Island Countries (J-PRISM Phase 3).
The newly signed project will complement J-PRISM Phase 3 and further strengthen environmentally sound waste management practices across Solomon Islands.
Sawmill Grant
The second Grant Agreement, amounting to One Hundred and Eighty-Three Million Japanese Yen (SBD $10.25 million), will support sawmill projects under the Ministry of Forestry and Research.
This initiative builds on Japan’s 2024 project on Capacity Development for Sustainable Forest Resource Management in Solomon Islands, which distributed 67 sawmills to communities nationwide.
The Minister noted that these efforts reflect Japan’s ongoing commitment to sustainable forest resource management, community development, and long-term economic prosperity for the people of Solomon Islands.
Minister Agovaka said the two Grant Agreements signed today reflect the enduring partnership between Japan and Solomon Islands and reaffirm the commitment of both Governments to ensuring the well-being of the people of Solomon Islands.
In closing, the Minister expressed the Government of Solomon Islands’ sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan for its continued support and partnership.
He reaffirmed that this cooperation aligns with the country’s development priorities and contributes to shared goals of sustainable growth, social well-being, and regional stability.
Also attending the event were the Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Mr. Hickson George; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Research, Mr. Richard Raomae; and the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Mr. Karl Kuper, along with representatives from government ministries, the Embassy of Japan, and JICA.
Source: MFAET PRESS RELEASE
