Blue Pacific’s unfinished business – West Papua and regional integrity

ANALYSIS: By Ali Mirin When the Pacific Islands Forum concluded in Honiara last month, leaders pledged regional unity under the motto “Iumi Tugeda” — “We are Together”. Eighteen Pacific heads of government reached agreements on climate resilience...

Dr. Gishan Illangakoon  appointed to SMB Finance Board

Top professional Dr. Gishan Illangakoon has been appointed to the Board of SMB Finance PLC as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Dr. Illangakoon is a multifaceted banking and finance professional with over 32 years of progressive experience...

Solomon Islands Water CEO Quits Amid Alleged Gov’t Pressure to Work With Troubled Indian Firm

The CEO of Solomon Islands’ state-owned water utility has resigned, along with a board member, amid government pressure to re-engage an Indian company which failed to build a $20-million facility that is two years overdue. OCCRP and its member...

Diplomat's memoir gives an insider's look at Solomon Islands-China deal

The former official who was Australia's top diplomat in Solomon Islands when the Pacific nation signed a deeply contentious security agreement with China says Labor was wrong to claim it could have stopped the pact if it was in office at the time....

FFA management conference in Honiara this week

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members are in Honiara for the 21st Management Options Consultations (MOC) set to take place at the FFA Headquarters from October 27-31. FFA said that members underwent a series of preparatory...

Solomon Islands to Host 2026 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting

Solomon Islands wins bid to host 2026 tourism meeting, a major boost for the country’s economy and tourism sector. The Solomon Islands will host the 2026 Council of Tourism Ministers’ Meeting following a successful bid by Minister of Culture and...

What Daniel Suidani’s death means for China’s influence in the Solomon Islands

The past few decades have seen China’s increasing efforts to expand its influence in the Pacific Island countries (PIC). Such efforts have sparked decisive resistance from leaders like Daniel Suidani. Unfortunately, Suidani, passed away a few days...

Solomon Islands wins bid to host 2026 Council of Tourism Ministers’ Meeting 

Solomon Islands will host the 2026 Council of Tourism Ministers’ Meeting following a successful bid by Minister of Culture and Tourism (MCT), the Hon. Choylin Yim Douglas who is attending the 2025 event in Tonga this week. The event presents a...

Rising unemployment in Solomon Islands

Dear Editor – Unemployment is a serious concern in our country, especially among young people who have recently graduated and those who have dropped out of school. Many people are without jobs, and the economic growth also slows down, which...

The perfect 7-day itinerary in the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands may be just a three-hour direct flight from Brisbane, yet few people – save for divers, birders and WWII history enthusiasts – seem to know about it. Situated between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, only 26,000 visit the island...

Solomon Islanders call for sustainable, community-driven tourism

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with Tourism Solomons and Solomon Islands Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), has released the results of the 2024 Community Attitude Survey (CAS), providing insight into how Solomon...

City 'rivals Amsterdam' with canals and nightlife and is 'must visit' in 2026

The Dutch capital has started to say 'nee dank je' to British holidaymakers, but Utrecht is a city that's just as good for a night out and is just as easy to get to The Dutch city has canals but far smaller crowds than the Netherlands (Image:...

Prasad to champion Pacific’s climate finance agenda ahead of COP30

[ Source: Fiji Government / Facebook ] The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has officially announced the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, as the Pacific Political Climate Champion for Climate...

Solomon Islands critic of China, Daniel Suidani, dies on eve of protest court ruling

By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -Daniel Suidani, a former school teacher turned Solomon Islands provincial leader who won international recognition for his defiance of China, has died in Honiara, his friends said on Tuesday. As premier of...

Solomon Islands dangerously dependent on extractive industries: PM Manele

BY NED GAGAHE Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele warns that Solomon Islands remains dangerously dependent on extractive industries such as logging, fishing, and mining—sectors that take from the country’s land and sea but fail to create lasting...

No imported control

BY Celsus Talifilu THE September 13 editorial in the newspaper The Australian, provocatively titled “China’s Cultural Revolution forced on to the Solomons”, framed Solomon Islands’ adoption of aspects of China’s “Fengqiao Experience” as a lurch...

Prof. Prasad appointed Pacific Political Climate Champion for Climate Finance

Prof. Prasad appointed Pacific Political Climate Champion for Climate Finance Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad has been appointed as the Pacific Political Climate Champion for Climate Finance by the Pacific...

OACPS Ambassadors push for unity and action ahead of COP30 and…

The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Committee of Ambassadors met recently to discuss key priorities, including preparations for COP30 and the upcoming 11th OACPS Summit of Heads of State and Government. The meeting...

Solomon Islands media boycott Chinese foreign minister’s visit to Honiara

Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has issued a boycott notice to its members for the PRC Press event scheduled for Thursday. MASI President, Georgina Kekea said MASI is disappointed that media is only allowed limited access for the...

Solomon Islands Pledge and Marshall Islands ratifies PRF Treaty

Pacific leadership and solidarity were on full display this week as the Government of Solomon Islands and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) announced a pledge of USD$1 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF). Pledges to the PRF now...