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The Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) 2025 officially commenced in Honiara yesterday. The summit brings together 35 young leaders from across the Pacific and Australia, including local Solomon Islands delegates, for a week dedicated to leadership training, cultural exchange, and regional collaboration. 35 young leaders from across the Pacific and Australia gathered at Honiara Hotel for the official opening of the Youth Leadership Summit 2025 Hosted by the Pacific-Australia Youth Association Inc. (PAYA), the Summit will run from 26–30 November. This year marks the fourth edition of PAYA’s flagship youth program, following successful gatherings in New Caledonia (2022), Tonga (2023), and Nauru (2024). Significantly, this is the first time the event has been hosted in the Solomon Islands. PAYA Vice Chair Gladys Bartlett expressed the organisation’s pride in hosting such a diverse group of young leaders, noting strong support from national and regional partners. “This year we are plea...

Thirty-five young delegates from across the Pacific and Australia convene in Honiara for the Pacific-Australia Youth Association (PAYA) Youth Leadership Summit 2025, held from 26 to 30 November. Over four days, they will engage in leadership development, cultural exchange, and collaborative initiatives aimed at shaping the future of the Pacific. Among them is Smith Kaitu’u, a passionate young leader from the Solomon Islands, whose journey from a youth in Whiteriver to a community-minded changemaker embodies the summit’s mission of empowering young people to drive positive change. “I’m just another regular patriotic young adult who had to learn the hard way,” Kaitu’u shares. Growing up, he enjoyed the carefree days of youth, learning from mistakes and memorable experiences. Today, he channels that energy into giving back to his community and country. For Kaitu’u, participating in the summit is an opportunity to meet other young leaders from the Pacific and Australia, build netwo...

The Solomon Islands Australia Alumni Association (SIAAA) has lit up Honiara with its Annual Gala 2025, celebrating the achievements of alumni and reaffirming the powerful role they play in shaping Solomon Islands’ future. The event brought together alumni, government leaders, business executives, and representatives from the Australian High Commission. Permanent Secretary for Education, Dr Franco Rodie, who is himself an Australian alumnus, represented the Solomon Islands Government at the event and praised alumni for driving innovation and national development: “Our role as alumni is not symbolic. It is practical, active, and deeply impactful,” said Dr Rodie. Dr. Franco Rodie, Permanent Secretary of MEHRD, acknowledged the vital role alumni play in driving national development and building a stronger future for Solomon Islands . “We are expected to lead, to innovate, and to strengthen the people-to-people links that define the Solomon Islands–Australia partnership.” Australian...

When Tourism Solomons invited Australian and New Zealand travel professionals to help shape the destination’s next signature campaign line, the response revealed something deeper than creativity. It showcased how strongly the trade connects with the spirit of the Solomon Islands. The initiative, launched under the banner “Let Your Imagination Set Sail,” was simple but bold: ask the people who sell the destination every day to articulate what makes the Solomons truly special. The Australian and New Zealand winning entries as they appear in travel industry publication advertising. What emerged were slogans that not only captured the destination’s raw beauty and warmth, but also its place as one of the region’s last untouched frontiers. From Sydney, Stage and Screen Travel Services consultant Cassy struck a chord with her winning entry, “Solomon Islands – Warm Welcomes, Wild Wonders.” In just four words, she managed to distill what many travellers discover only after arriving — a ...

The development of the Bloody Ridge National Heritage Park, one of the Solomon Islands’ most significant wartime tourism sites, has hit its biggest setback yet. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) continues to pose a major risk to both construction and visitor access. Joint effort to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO). The RSIPF EOD team, supported by international partners and equipment, works tirelessly to secure land for development and safety. A challenging but critical mission. - Photo: Supply. Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism confirmed during a recent Public Accounts Committee hearing that, despite progress in securing the area, heavy UXO contamination remains the critical barrier preventing full-scale development of the historic battlefield. “Until the site is safe, we cannot move ahead with trails, interpretive panels, viewing points, or the construction of a visitor information centre,” Permanent Secretary Bunyan Sivoro told the committee. “UXO clearance is the prior...

For years, Grace Rohoana has dedicated her career to shaping young minds as a lecturer at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU). Recently, her own learning journey became a powerful example of how education can break barriers and inspire change—especially for women and adult learners in the Solomon Islands . Grace was among a group of lecturers who successfully completed the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (Teaching and Learning) from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), supported by the Australian Government through Australia Awards Solomon Islands. The program aims to strengthen teaching quality and foster innovation—but for Grace, it was much more than professional development. “Before the training, I saw some gaps in my qualification and in the way I managed classroom learning in higher education,” Grace said. “As a result of the training, I can now design lessons and assessments differently by incorporating new teaching and learning approaches.” Gra...

Tourism Solomons in partnership with the Kingdom of Tonga have delivered both destinations biggest travel industry events in the post-COVID era with a joint roadshow series in Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane. A major milestone for both national tourist offices’ re-engagement with the key Australia and New Zealand markets and reinforcing the ANZ travel industry’s growing appetite for emerging Pacific destinations, the three-city ‘Discover the Best of Melanesia/Polynesia’ roadshow drew more than 340 industry professionals including frontline sales agents, wholesale tour operators, and a wide mix of trade partners. Airline partners including Solomon Airlines, Fiji Airways and Qantas Airways, were also well represented at each event. Format for all three events included in-depth destination briefings along with cultural performances delivered by Solomon Islanders and Tongans resident in each city visited. Event organiser Tourism Solomons Australia/New Zealand Trade Manager, Richard Ske...

The Australian Government has announced a SBD572 million investment to deliver reliable, secure, and high-speed internet connectivity for the people of Solomon Islands. Senator the Hon. Nita Green MP, Assistant Minister for Pacific Affairs and Tourism, announced the commitment during the Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane joined by the Honourable Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and senior delegations from both nations . The Adamasia Cable – a second international fibre-optic submarine cable system spanning 1,015 kilometres – will be constructed and interconnect with the Bulikula cable, part of the Pacific Connect cable system. (L-R back row) Senator the Hon. Nita Green MP, Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Tourism; the Hon Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands; and the Hon Rexon Ramofafia, Minister of Finance and Treasury witnessing the agreement signing between the AIFFP and SISCC for the Solomon Islands Adamasia Cable System Projec t ...

Across the Pacific, fisheries are more than an industry—they are a lifeline. They feed families, create jobs, and anchor economies. But this lifeline is under threat from climate change, overfishing, and mounting sustainability pressures . The solution? Stronger, more inclusive leadership. And two emerging leaders—Alison from Solomon Islands and Beverly from Samoa—are answering that call. Beverly (left) and Alison (right) with their Certificate in Fisheries Management and Development. Both women are breaking barriers in a sector traditionally dominated by men.  Alison serves with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Solomon Islands, while Beverly works with Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF). Their mission is to ensure Pacific fisheries are managed sustainably and equitably. Recently, Alison and Beverly graduated from the Australia Awards Short Course Certificate in Fisheries Management and Development, alongside 12 other participants from Solomon ...

Solar power is replacing diesel in remote Solomon Islands hospitals. What began as a simple shift in energy supply is now transforming healthcare, strengthening climate resilience, and amplifying the Solomon Islands’ voice on the world stage. At COP30 in Brazil, where global leaders debated climate finance and emissions targets, the Solomon Islands did more than participate. They brought proof. Through the work of local renewable energy company Superfly, the country showcased a model of climate action that is practical, community-driven, and already saving lives. A Small Island, A Big Example Speaking at the REnew Pacific: Powering Climate Resilience Across the Blue Pacific session, Tapera Bird, Superfly’s General Manager, shared how solar energy is reshaping life in rural areas. He said, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Guadalcanal, solar power has replaced the noise and cost of diesel generators that once dictated patient care. The facility now runs on 97% solar energy, al...

Construction of the new Australian-funded Seghe Market is rapidly rolling out, with works on track for completion in 2026. Local builder Hatanga has achieved good progress in the first months of construction, completing concrete slabs for the market’s amenities building, with blockwork, electrical and plumbing works now underway. The provincial project has also achieved a first for Solomon Islands, with large-scale concrete production taking place on site with the introduction of modern batching plant equipment. The Australian-supported project has created 29 jobs for Solomon Islanders, including 17 from the surrounding community. Acting Australian High Commissioner, Andrew Schloeffel, said it was vital that the long-term development of Solomon Islands be led by Solomon Islanders. “Locally built infrastructure provides skilled jobs and creates the kind of workforce that Solomon Islands needs to operate and maintain infrastructure after handover,” Mr Schloeffel said. “Australi...

Eleven young entrepreneurs under the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) have been honoured at the YECSI Awards 2025, celebrating a new generation of innovators, job creators, and trailblazers reshaping the business landscape in the Solomon Islands. Held at Aquatic Centre, the annual awards recognise young Solomon Islanders who are not only building successful businesses, but also contributing to national development, job creation, and community transformation. CAB’IT founder Junior John Wanofafia (left) receives his award from YECSI Chairman Limahl Totogi at the 2025 YECSI Awards held at the Aquatic Centre in Honiara. Photo: YECSI. This year’s ceremony saw CAB’IT emerge as the biggest winner of the night, securing three major awards: Entrepreneur of the Year (Prime Minister’s Office & Solomon Airlines), Most Innovative Entrepreneur (PRC), and Most Improved Male Entrepreneur, awarded to founder Junior John Wanofafia. Another standout achiever was Twice Is Nice...