National Trade Fair Preparations in Full Swing The National Trade Fair Committee is pleased to announce that preparations for the 2025 Annual National Trade Fair are in full swing, under the theme: “Trade for Transformation – Rebuilding our Happy Isles”. This year’s event is scheduled to take place from 30th June to 7th July 2025 at... READ MORE The Ofu and Bitaama Conservation of Biodiversity Project that Motivates North Malaita North Malaita, Solomon Islands – May 2025 — In the heart of North Malaita, the community of Ofu in the Bita’ama region are setting a powerful example for Solomon Islands, the Pacific region and the world on biodiversity conservation through the successful implementation of a community-led project: the Bita’ama... READ MORE Australia Awards Alumni Ocean Guardian: Henry Kaniki As the world marks World Ocean Day 2025, Australia Awards alumnus Henry Kaniki is making waves in marine conservation across Solomon Islands, turning academic expertise and community passion into real-world impact. From protecting endangered turtles to empowering coastal communities, his work is helping ensure the ocean continues to sustain Solomon... READ MORE Plastic Pollution Affects Us All, Says Karl Kuper BY JOY OFASIA Plastic pollution is not just a problem for the environment — it’s a growing danger to people’s health, food, and future. That was the message shared by the Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Karl Kuper during a special event at the Multipurpose Futsal Hall... READ MORE New Fund Lifts Copra Trade Spirits on Ugi Island BY CHRIS ALEX A new government initiative is bringing hope and progress to copra and cocoa traders on Ugi Island. Thanks to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s (MAL) Revolving Fund, local traders are seeing real improvements in their daily work. Jerry Wala, a longtime copra buying agent on the island,... READ MORE Capacity Building on Display Plants Maintenance Forestry officers including grounds men at the National Herbarium and Botanical Garden (NHBG) have received capacity building training on display plants maintenance through Japanese International Corporation Agency’s (JICA) assistance. Training was facilitated by JICA’s Volunteer at the National Herbarium and Botanical Garden, Mayumi Nishiki who is an expert instructor on... READ MORE Our Dried Specimens Are Back More than twenty-five thousand (25,000) dried plant specimens’ – flora and fauna belonging to Solomon Islands have safely returned after decades of safe keeping at the South Pacific Regional Herbarium (SPRH), Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS), at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Lower Campus, Laucala, Fiji. Relocated to... READ MORE Pacific Regional Premium Event for Agriculture and Forestry Coming to Solomon Islands in 2027 The 5th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry will be hosted by Solomon Islands in 2027. This was decided by the Pacific Ministers for agriculture and forestry at the final day of the 4th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry held in Tonga, last week. Solomon Islands Minister for Agriculture and... READ MORE 2025 Annual National Trade Fair to Celebrate Solomon Islands’ Diverse Economic Potentials BY JOY OFASIA The 2025 Annual National Trade Fair, set to take place next month, will celebrate Solomon Islands’ rich economic diversity and the people’s commitment to building a stronger, self-reliant, and sustainable nation. This was highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labor, and Immigration, Honorable Frederick... READ MORE 2025 Annual National Trade Fair Launched to Boost Economic Growth BY JOY OFASIA THE Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labor, and Immigration, together with key stakeholders, officially launched the 2025 Annual National Trade Fair on Friday at the Honiara Hotel. The event’s theme, “Trade for Transformation: Rebuilding Our Happy Isles,” highlights the collective vision that trade is more than just business —... READ MORE Chiefs and Landowners of Bellona Island Sign Declaration Rejecting Mining Activities IN a strong and united stand, the traditional Chiefs and landowners of Bellona Island have formally declared their opposition to all forms of mining activity on the island. The declaration was signed at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on Sunday, 25th May 2025, marking a historic moment of resistance... READ MORE Building Infrastructure Resilience from the Roots Up Communities in Malu’u, North Malaita are protecting their shoreline from sea level rise, including at the new Malu’u Market by planting mangroves and coastal trees. Twenty-one participants from Kwene, Darowaraua and Duruabu villages within Malu’u have completed a one-day mangrove rehabilitation and management training workshop, delivered by mangrove and conservation... READ MORE Fisi Turns Speech Competition into a Powerful Environmental Call to Action BY CHRIS ALEX What started as a high school speech competition turned into a passionate plea for environmental action, as Lawrence Fisi, a Form 6 student at Honiara Senior High School, used his time on stage to stir hearts and minds across the Solomon Islands. Fisi’s words have already inspired many... READ MORE Kastom Perspectives on Climate Change Kastom cultures, traditions, and knowledge have an important role to play in addressing climate challenges. Australia recently hosted Chief Esau Kekeubata and Professor Bradley Moggridge, in Honiara to share their kastom and Indigenous perspectives on climate change with Solomon Islands students and the public. Chief Esau and Professor Moggridge visited Form... READ MORE E-Navigation on Our Ocean” Seminar Held in Honiara The international seminar titled “E-Navigation on Our Ocean” was successfully held at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara. The event held on 13 May 2025 was co-hosted by the SI Maritime Authority - SIMA and JICA, and showcased international efforts supporting the country’s maritime safety, nautical chart production, and digitalization... READ MORE Ministry of Infrastructure Development Urges Citizens to Maintain Clean and Safe Roads The Transport Infrastructure Management Services Division (TIMSD) at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) strongly condemns the ongoing practice of spitting red betel nut stains on road line markings and median fences and discarding rubbish onto main roads. TIMSD stated, “Such practices mar the city’s infrastructure and pose safety and... READ MORE Maximising Trade Benefits Through SCHS Compliance: A Win-Win for Exporters, Shippers and Biosecurity In a step toward enhancing trade efficiency and maintaining strong biosecurity systems and processes, the Australian Government, through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), completed the audit of the sea container depot in Honiara to ensure compliance with the approved Code of Practice and DAFF’s SCHS Assessment... READ MORE CEMA Expands Reach Nationwide The Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) trading as Solomon Commodities has officially opened four Buying Centers in Malaita, Makira, Choiseul, and Honiara provinces, marking a major milestone in its revitalization strategy to strengthen market access for rural farmers and improve commodity trade across the Solomon Islands. These new Buying Centres... READ MORE Nomination Open for Australia Alumni Climate Warrior Award Nominations are now open for the Australia Awards Alumni Climate Warrior Award. This award recognises Australia Awards Solomon Islands alumni who show exceptional leadership in climate intervention, environmental protection, and sustainability. The Alumni Climate Warrior Award celebrates alumni who address climate change and environmental challenges through innovative, sustainable solutions, activities,... READ MORE Forty MAL Officers Complete IPAM Training, Now Eligible for Promotion Forty officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) have successfully completed the Knowing Your Public Service (KYPS) and Code of Conduct training facilitated by the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM). The training marks a key milestone, making the officers formally eligible for confirmation and promotion... READ MORE