GRML Carries Out Joint Awareness Program in Central Guadalcanal
“We wanted everyone to speak freely and be heard,” says GRML’s Benjamin Afuga
BY JOY OFASIA Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML), in partnership with the Gold Ridge Community and Landowners Association (GRCLA) and other key stakeholders, recently completed a month-long joint community awareness program aimed at educating and engaging landowning communities... READ MORE GRML: From Restoration to World-Class Mining “We’re building more than a mine – we’re building a legacy,” says Chairman Naezon BY JOY OFASIA Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) in Central Guadalcanal is on a promising path toward becoming a world-class, environmentally responsible gold mine, according to Mr. Walton Naezon, Chairman of Gold Ridge Community Investment Ltd (GCIL)... READ MORE Solomon Islands Urges Leaders to Advance Sustainable Solutions to Strengthen the Asia Pacific (AP) Region Resilience The Government of Solomon Islands, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology, has called for the proactive Advancement of Sustainable Solutions to strengthen the Asia Pacific Region's Resilience. Speaking at the Conference of the Sixth Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific from 26... READ MORE Provincial MCS+E Refresher Training Strengthens Coastal Fisheries Compliance Honiara, 27 August 2025 – The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), with support from the Pacific Community (SPC) and New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries’ Te Pātuitanga Ahumoana a Kiwa (Te Patui), successfully convened the Provincial Monitoring, Control, Surveillance, and Enforcement (MCS+E) Refresher Training for Inshore (Coastal)... READ MORE Officials in Honiara Review and Endorse Layout for Bina Harbour Port and Tuna Plant, Aiming for Growth in Malaita Senior government officials met in Honiara earlier this month to review options for the layout of the planned Bina Harbour port and tuna processing plant in Malaita. Three concept layouts were prepared by Kramer Asia Pacific, which focused on land infrastructure, and Haskoning Australia, which worked on the wharf and... READ MORE Solomon Islands Proposes Pacific Water Warrior Mechanism at Regional Ministers Meeting Wednesday 27 August 2025, Honiara – The Government of Solomon Islands, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), has called for the creation of a new regional advocacy initiative – the Pacific Water Warrior Mechanism – to strengthen the Pacific’s voice on water security at all levels. Speaking... READ MORE Ninth Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Meeting Concludes in Honiara with Strong Regional Commitments Wednesday 27 August 2025, Honiara – The Ninth Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers (PWWM) Meeting concluded yesterday in Honiara, with Ministers from 14 Pacific Island countries and territories committing to urgent action to strengthen water and sanitation across the region. The Ministers Forum, held from 25–26 August 2025, brought together Ministers... READ MORE Work to Develop Provincial Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Gets Underway The Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) hosted a workshop yesterday to launch the development of Provincial Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CVRAs) and Provincial Climate Change Adaptation Strategies. This work aims to empower local communities to lead the way in building resilience to climate change. This initiative... READ MORE National Observer Program Boosted With New Equipment The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has received new digital equipment to strengthen its National Fisheries Observer Program. This was made possible thanks to the support of Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Program through the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), as well as FFA’s ICT Division. The handover... READ MORE Climate Change the Greatest Threat to Water Security in Pacific Region BY JOY OFASIA The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Jeremiah Manele, has identified climate change as the single greatest threat to water security in the Pacific region. Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum and the 16th Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and... READ MORE Savo Livelihood Project Empowers Women and People with Disabilities BY DESMOND RAHE A milestone in inclusive community development was celebrated recently with the official handover of 13 poultry and piggery projects to local communities on Savo Island, Central Islands Province. The initiative, aimed at empowering women and people with disabilities, was delivered under a UN Women-supported program in partnership with... READ MORE PM Manele: Water and Sanitation Key to Solomon Islands’ Future BY JOY OFASIA Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has stressed that clean water and proper sanitation are not just basic needs—but essential pillars of Solomon Islands’ national development and planning. Speaking at the official opening of the 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers (PWWM) Forum and the 16th Pacific Water and Wastewater... READ MORE PM Manele: Water Conference Theme a Timely Reminder of Water’s Role in Pacific Future BY JOY OFASIA Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele has called the theme of this year’s 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers (PWWM) Forum and the 16th Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) Conference and Expo (PWWC25) Conference “a timely reminder” of the urgent need to ensure clean water and sanitation... READ MORE Pacific Water Conference Opens in Honiara with Strong Call for Unity and Action BY JOY OFASIA The 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum and 16th Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo officially opened on Monday at the Friendship Hall in Honiara, drawing leaders and professionals from across the region. The Conference continues to be the Pacific’s leading platform for shaping the future... READ MORE Solomon Islands’ SAFE Project Launches Strategic Planning Workshop to Strengthen Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development HONIARA, Solomon Islands – 20 August 2025 – The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), in collaboration with the Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and its partner the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has commenced a high-level strategic planning workshop for the Global Environment... READ MORE Bomb Discovered Undersea and Yet to be Safely Removed for Destruction The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department (EODD) of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) recently discovered a U.S. 325-pound depth bomb under the sea near Seghe in the Western province. Supervising Director EODD Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Ansa Puaraua said the bomb was reported by the local divers to the RSIPF. SSgt... READ MORE JICA Okinawa Strengthens Fisheries Partnership Former participants of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP) from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) met with the visiting JICA Okinawa team Monday to review ongoing collaboration in coastal fisheries development. Deputy Director Inshore, Ms. Faye Siota, welcomed the delegation and underscored the... READ MORE Australia and New Zealand Supporting Progress Towards Solomon Islands Timber Industry Sustainability  Solomon Islands sawn timber exporters demonstrated their strong commitment towards industry sustainability at the Solomon Islands Sawn Timber Knowledge Forum on Wednesday 13 August 2025 in Honiara. Co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand and the Solomon Islands Timber Processors and Exporters Association (SITPEA), the event celebrated progress towards certification... READ MORE MID’s Laboratory Ensures Compliance and Safety in Friendship Hall Improvement Projects The Quality Assurance and Control Unit of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) is collaborating closely with local contractors to oversee and ensure the successful execution of the ongoing improvement works at Friendship Hall. This quality assurance team with the backing of MID’s laboratory ensures all works are rigorously tested... READ MORE Baete Opens Transformation Pathways Training Workshop The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has officially opened the Transformation Pathways Training Workshop; a three-day program aimed at strengthening Solomon Islands’ capacity to plan and implement sustainable agricultural and food system strategies. The opening remarks was delivered by Deputy Secretary Special Duties (DSSD), Mr. Simon Baete, who welcomed... READ MORE