Latest News Archive September 2011

With Solomon Islands confirmed to compete in the Oceania Sevens the Coach and Management of the national Sevens squad are resuming their selection and training program.

Officials from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), RAMSI and Solomon Islands Government today met with the Premier of Makira-Ulawa Province, Thomas Weape to discuss the next phase of RAMSI's work in Solomon Islands.

The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has denounced a SB$75, 000 compensation demand on the Island Sun newspaper by supporters of West Honiara Member of Parliament Namson Tran Thursday last week.

The Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Hon. Manasseh Maelanga has assured the nation that the ruling NCRA government will continue to advocate and support the preservation and promotion of our cultural practices - many of which are at risk of disappearing.

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Danny Philip has agreed to extend an invitation to the Leader of Opposition for a bipartisan approach to strengthen political integrity and stability in the country.

'Positive impacts upon the livelihoods of the Pacific people' was one of the major highlights in the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Project side event held 22nd Meeting of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme in Apia, Samoa.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is calling on people along the country's Weathercoast to remain calm as policing responsibility in the region changes.

A water facility project will be launched in Honiara this afternoon by the Solomon Islands Government, the European Union and UNICEF.

The Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination will today officially launch the country's National Development Strategy.

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says it is mandated to look into public expenditure and public resources and assets.

The Pacific Organic and Fair Trade Community (POETCom) was present at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders 42nd meeting, held on 6-9 September, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Niue is to have its pesticide contaminated soil removed as part of a project on "Improved regional pesticides management", between the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

'Capacity building is essential if Pacific Islands are to meet the challenges of sustainable forest resource management.'

Ocean Park is pressing ahead with controversial research into bottle-nose dolphin populations in and around the Solomon Islands, but insists it will not capture wild mammals from the area.

The Kastom Garden Association (KGA) and the Australia Government have signed a three year agreement that will provide thousands of families throughout the country with improved varieties of food crops and advice on effective farming methods and family nutrition.

Solomon Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka MP, has presented the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Solomon Islands before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday 21st September 2011.

The National Olympic Solomon Islands (NOCSI) is facing possible suspension from the Oceania National Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee should the outstanding theft of NOCSI office items at Multi-purpose Hall remain unsolved.

Peter Forau of Solomon Islands is now the new Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat.

Solomon Islands says that the independence and integrity of the Pacific's Trade Advisory Office is a priority for the region and should not be undermined by Australian funding decisions.

The Solomon Islands Malaita Premier Edwin Suibaea stated that the decision to sack the former Deputy Premier of the Province has been described as timely and a step in the right direction.

The Solomon Islands, Finance Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has confirmed that he has revoked his earlier approval of a loan to purchase a Dash-8 aircraft.

People of Gao-Bugotu Constituency in Isabel Province are bracing for their first ever Cultural Festival at Huali Village coming Monday on the theme "Know you culture, know your future".

In the largest Seventh-day Adventist baptism in Solomon Islands history, hundreds of people joined the church during a public outreach series this month by evangelist John Carter.

Sustainable use and management of forests and tree resources will remain an important focus of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Land Resources Division (LRD) for the foreseeable future.

The Solomon Islands Minister for Finance and Treasury, Hon Gordon Darcy Lilo, yesterday announced that the government has agreed to increase the determined value of logs to ensure it matches with the international prices our logs are receiving in the world markets.

Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, has officially opened the Solomon Islands Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office and other International organizations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Pitcairn Islanders are experiencing longer, more severe periods of drought.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services say it will look at reviewing the Correctional Services Act that governs appointments of members to the parole board.

Taiwan's Department of Health (DOH) on Monday pledged to donate customized medical equipment to the Solomon Islands, to help combat the high maternal and newborn death rates in the island country.

The initial bilateral consultation on the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands was held this month in Port Moresby from 12-13 September 2011.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance and Treasury deeply regret and wish to apologize to the European Union (EU) for the false allegation made on its funds on the building of 50 new houses at Noro in the Western Province.

An epidemic of chronic lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart failure and cancer is undermining economic development and has placed the region in 'an NCD crisis', Pacific Islands Forum leaders have declared.

The shortlisting of candidates for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) top post has been concluded.

The recently ousted Deputy Premier of Malaita province has called on members of the Malaita provincial assembly to make a change for the sake of the people.

Throughout the country, the Form five students in Secondary Schools have yesterday, begun their Solomon Islands School Certificate (SISC) examinations.

On Saturday 17 September, staff of the Australian High Commission in Solomon Islands were joined by local volunteers in an extraordinary effort to protect and improve the environment for future generations.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (MNURP) will for the first time hold a Peace Stakeholders Dialogue starting today and ending on the 22nd.

The Australian High Commission in the Solomon Islands has announced that Australia's Human Rights Grants Scheme (HRGS) 2011-12 is now open for applications.

Solomon Islands will this week for the first time host the Pacific Islands Correctional Women's Conference.

Climate change is affecting Vanuatu's livestock sector.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical services says it has begun working on a policy change to increase the capacity of provincial health services in the country.

Airports Fiji Limited will now provide training for Solomon Islands air traffic controllers and other personnel involved in managing air space.

The Australian High Commission has submitted a draft Memorandum of Understanding to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a week after Australia's recent announcement of including Solomon Islands in it's Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI, has revealed that it will be withdrawing it's personnel from provincial police posts around the country over the next two years.

The Solomon Islands Government has announced its plans to establish a Canadian Education Campus to provide Solomon Islanders with qualifications to work in Canada and in other countries.

The Solomon Islands Acting Commissioner of Police, Walter Kola says the Police have resolved issues with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission over the arrest of former Black Shark militant, Samson Leketo.

There were teary farewells and excitement in the air at the Bundaberg Railway Station yesterday as 24 Bundaberg Special School students boarded the train on the first leg of their adventure to the Solomon Islands.

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund or UNICEF has launched a campaign to register all births in Solomon Islands by 2015.

Six local NGOs and AusAID have presented a strong and united message to the Solomon Islands government and the development community that working together and using a strength-based approach can bring about more sustainable development.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIPF) in Lata, Temotu Province, have confirmed finding the body of a male child with his head missing in Nambalve Village, in Santa Cruz island.

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard has promised to provide air tickets for the Solomon Islanders living illegally in Australia to enable them to return home.

Positive response has been received from Solomon Islands to news that its workers can now be employed on Australian farms through the new Seasonal workers scheme.

High Level representatives from the Justice, Health and Civil Society Organizations from Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu gather in Nadi to share their experience on human rights compliant HIV Policies and Laws.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Climate change threatens to increase hunger and malnutrition among the Pacific region's poorest people unless there is action soon, says a new report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Four hundred heads of cattle are due to arrive in the country next month, says Agriculture Permanent Secretary, John Harunari.

12th September, 2011 - The very first Pacific Environment Forum opened in Samoa today, drawing upon the expertise and experience of Pacific environment workers to discuss three vital issues of importance for our region.

Premier of Western Province, George Lilo has commended the Solomon Islands nine provincial premiers on their commitment to the Western Province's Environment Week by discussing environmental governance during the Premier's Roundtable Forum Meeting this week.

Five athletes have been admitted at the National Referral hospital after contracting a viral infection in New Caledonia during the Pacific Games.

Cabinet has appointed its Special Envoy to the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Patteson Oti as the country's new High Commissioner to Fiji.

While at their retreat in Auckland last week, Solomon Islands together with other Forum Leaders have declared that the 'Pacific is in a Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) crisis'.

On 6 September Tokelau and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) signed a joint country strategy (JCS).

Culture and Tourism Minister Samuel Manetoali says it is "a great privilege to own and operate a sizable aircraft."

Solomon Airlines has concluded a series of proving flights to neighboring Melanesian countries.

The very first Pacific Environment Forum hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Environment Programme (SPREP) will take place on Monday.

Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) has issued a stern warning that they would not allow the proposed export of 25 live bottle-nose dolphins from Solomon Islands to enter China.

Recent media outbursts by Earth Island Institute and China Animals Welfare Committee will not deter the decision by the Government to implement its policy on the export of wildlife.

Acting Police Commissioner Walter Kola has clarified why he ordered the arrest of Samson Leketo at Taro, Choiseul province last week.

Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Peter Shanel is hopeful the country will be able to cope should RAMSI forces withdraw, but says the "departures must be slow and gradual."

The Head of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Secretariat, Dr Transform Aqorau, has issued a stern warning to fishing companies who refuse to work with the PNA in implementing some its stringent conservation and management measures.

Partnerships are part of larger $21 million US Government adaptation programme in Pacific Small Island Developing States

Hosts New Caledonia will take on the hugely confident Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands have an uphill battle although they will be confident knowing that they defeated New Caledonia just days before.

Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Leaders and the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN)met on 7 September 2011 during the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum in Auckland, NewZealand.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard today announced that Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu have been invited to join the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme.

Solomon Airlines announced today that CASA Australia (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) has finally approved their FAOC (Foreign Air Operators Certificate) application which now gives them their operating licence to commence scheduled flights to and from Brisbane.

PRESS STATEMENT [Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday 7th September 2011] Pacific ACP Leaders have called for continued negotiations on a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union as a single region with the support from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

Pacific island leaders today witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the Chief Executive Officers of two key intergovernmental technical agencies. The MOU will strengthen commitment to collaboration and partnership for sustainable development in the Pacific Island region.

After weeks of negotiations, the Government, SINTA and Public Sector Unions have finally signed a Memorandum of agreement (MOA) for a four percent Cost of Living Adjustment Allowance (COLA) increase.

Fiji and Solomon Islands, two traditional footballing giants of the Oceania region, will face off in Lifou, a provincial town outside of Noumea, New Caledonia.

An Amnesty International report has revealed that women in the Solomon Islands are routinely raped and abused when walking from city settlements in search of clean water.

BUSAN, Republic of Korea, 5 September 2011-"Diverse Voices, United Action" was the rallying cry at the recently concluded 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific held in Busan, Republic of Korea.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission says it will seek an explanation from responsible authorities on why a participant in one if it's closed hearings in Taro, Choiseul Province, was arrested last Friday.

The Government House says it is disappointed over how RAMSI Police Officers carried out an advance security check at the Governor General's premises last Thursday.

Investment bank Fairfax believes that shares in Solomon Gold rate as a 'buy' based on the firm's two-pronged exploration strategy.

"Many countries are dealing with climate change. But here, climate change threatens your territory, your culture and your very way of life."

Regional security and climate change are high on the agenda for the visit by Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Richard Marles to Solomon Islands and Kiribati this week.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says Solomon Islands can lead the Pacific by example on human rights issues and ending violence against women.

PRESS RELEASE - 4th September 2011 - The media has a very important role to play at the annual Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' meetings.

More than twenty bottlenose dolphins worth millions of dollars will be exported out of the country on Tuesday this week - destined for China.

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon says he has seen firsthand the need for urgent action on climate change after visiting the remote Solomon Islands.

Pacific Islanders attending the second largest international forum on HIV/AIDS are using the forum to highlight the successes and challenges of responding to HIV/AIDS in the region.

The country's anti-corruption watchdog Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI)says children of Solomon Islands politicians are being granted coveted Taiwanese scholarships even though they do not meet entry requirements.

Parties to the industrial dispute between Public sector unions and the government have resolved their differences by agreeing to a four per cent increase in the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) demanded by the unions.

PRESS RELEASE - 30th August 2011

Solomon Islands have started off strongly in the rugby 7s competition at the SPG.

Ambassador of the Republic of China, Taiwan to Solomon Islands Roy Wu has released SB$14 million dollars towards assisting development in 47 constituencies of the country.

Ongoing exploration at Allied Gold's Gold Ridge mine in the Solomon Islands confirms extensions of gold mineralization in the Charivunga area, between the four currently defined Gold Ridge pits.

Fiji's call for the removal of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Tuiloma Neroni Slade has been unanimously endorsed by Melanesian countries.