Access to finance ocean projects ‘very challenging’: Solomons MP Manele
While there are huge commitments being made and offered to assist countries to conserve, protect and manage their ocean resources, accessing finance for ocean projects is still a major obstacle for many Small Island
China seeks security deals with Kiribati and Vanuatu
China is intensifying its drive for influence in the Pacific by negotiating security deals with two additional island nations following a pact with the Solomon Islands, according to officials in the U.S and allied
Solomon Islands congratulates Albanese on election win
The Solomon Islands has congratulated Australia’s new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his election win as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia. Yet, “much however, remains to be done,” says Solomon Islands
Australia, NZ and the PICs: a new era for PACER?
By Dr Wadan Narsey Australia has been jolted out of its self-declared “vuvale” (family) complacency in its relations to the Pacific. Following the recent political fall-out in Australia because of the
Australia and next steps in the Pacific
Dr Anthony Bergin and Jeffrey Wall The Solomon Islands security agreement with China is a significant setback for Australia and the region. In barely three years Solomon Islands has gone from supporting Taiwan
China Foreign Minister likely to visit Solomons
Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi is likely to visit the Solomon Islands in coming weeks. A senior Solomon Islands government source told the ABC that preparations had begun for Wang to visit the
Solomons tuna plant to create 5500 jobs
More than 5,500 jobs are set to be created with the construction of a major tuna processing plant in Solomon Islands says the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant, to be built
Felled by its own Failures – How Australia’s inaction to reform logging in the Solomon Islands has let China in
We have watched these past few weeks as the evolving situation surrounding the Solomon Islands/China security pact has unfolded. It appears that every journalist and political commentator is suddenly an expert in the
U.S-Solomon Islands bilateral talks a success
On the China-Solomon Islands Security Cooperation, “We have no say on the SI-China agreement. We respect Solomon Islands sovereign decision. There is no misunderstanding,” stated the White House Official.
China and Solomon Islands sign security deal
China has signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands just days ahead of a visit by senior U.S government officials to the South Pacific country, exacerbating western fears over Beijing’s growing influence in the
Senior U.S officials visits Solomon Islands this week
White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell and the U.S Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, will lead a delegation to Solomon Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea
Canberra’s tired old script has led to a less democratic Solomon Islands and a less secure Australia
China must be hoping that Australia persists in its “business as usual” approach to Solomon Islands. An appeasement policy by Australia towards the Solomons prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has been outstandingly
Australia asks PM Sogavare to avoid security deal
Australia Minister Zed Seselja met with Prime Minister Sogavare in Honiara, in light of the proposed China-Solomon Islands security
Rethinking Solomon Islands security
It has been an interesting couple of weeks for Solomon Islands, with stories of policing, weapons, replica weapons and a security agreement with China dominating the local and regional media. Let’s start with the
Solomon Islands PM assures no Chinese military base
Amid a regional backlash, the Solomon Islands said it would not allow a Chinese military base in the Pacific islands nation despite its plans to sign a security pact with Beijing. Following the initialling of a draft
FSM President appeals to Sogavare
The Federated States of Micronesia leader has spoken out against the proposed security deal between Solomon Islands and China. President David W. Panuelo of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) wrote to Solomon
Australia hands over Blackrock as China concerns re-emerge
The opening of the Blackrock Camp in Nadi this month signified the culmination of “close to a A$100 million investment” by the Australian government designed to support Fiji’s peacekeeping and humanitarian
Solomon Islands PM says China security deal ‘ready for signing’
Solomon Islands' PM says a contentious security agreement with Beijing was “ready for
Solomons: Putting a draft security deal with China in local context
A draft MOU between Honiara and Beijing on security related issues has sparked international headlines and worried response from
PNG contingent heads home after Solomons mission
PNG police contingent left Honiara for Port Moresby last Friday after successfully completing their mission in Solomon
ONOC steps in to support Pacific sports programs, hosts
Oceania National Olympic Committees President, Guam’s Ricardo Blas is hosting colleagues from across the region this week to discuss delivery of sport funding and programs. Blas recently told Islands Business that
Legality is born to sing
Solomon Islands singer 'Legality' says singing has been part of her forever. She first performed when 9 years
Millons lost during Solomon Islands lockdowns
Solomon Islands has lost millions of dollars in tax revenue as a result of the recent COVID-19 lockdowns imposed at the beginning of community transmission last month. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced the