THE Hon. Trevor Manemahaga, Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology of the Solomon Islands, met with Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The meeting underscored the strong partnership between the Solomon Islands and the Commonwealth, focusing on shared priorities for sustainable development, climate resilience, and addressing global challenges.
Minister Manemahaga expressed gratitude for the Commonwealth’s steadfast support, praising the outcomes of the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. “CHOGM 2024 was a historic moment, offering the Commonwealth family a firsthand understanding of the unique challenges and resilience of Pacific communities,” he said.
The Minister highlighted key achievements from CHOGM, including the Samoa Declaration, which prioritizes; Addressing economic and climate vulnerabilities, advocating for debt sustainability and accessible financing, and accelerating investments in climate adaptation and mitigation through simplified funding mechanisms.
He reaffirmed the Solomon Islands’ support for the Apia Ocean Declaration, emphasizing the ocean’s vital role in securing a sustainable and resilient future.
Minister Manemahaga also expressed gratitude for ongoing support from the commonwealth secretariat including support under the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub and through the CommonSensing project and collaborations with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) which enable data-driven planning, disaster response, and scenario modeling for climate resilience. Minister Mahaga also highlighted important priorities for Solomon Islands which included the implementation of nature based solutions to protect oceans and biodiversity, youth empowerment to support and empower youths to effectively contribute to addressing climate change and resilience and planned relocation recognising that it is an issue that needs to be dealt with sensitivity and care.
The Secretary-General commended the Solomon Islands for its leadership in advancing climate finance and resilience. She also celebrated the success of CHOGM 2024 in Samoa, which highlighted the Pacific’s beauty and vulnerability, further emphasizing the need for global climate action. SG Patricia elaborated on support that can be made available including AI training, especially preparing young people for an AI-driven future is critical, with specialized training programs and accessible online tools to equip future leaders for a global economy projected to benefit from AI advancements.
Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to advancing green and blue economies, ensuring sustainable development while protecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General and Minister Manemahaga emphasized the importance of innovation, collaboration, and collective action in addressing global challenges. The Solomon Islands reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Commonwealth to build a sustainable and resilient future for all.
Source: Ministry of Environment Climate Change & Disaster Management
