AGP Executive Report

Pacific diplomacy & tech stakes: The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Palau is already roiled by major absences, including Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale leaving hours after a no-confidence motion, while China warns of “consequences” tied to Taiwan’s presence—highlighting how regional governance and digital/strategic partnerships are getting pulled into great-power competition. Marovo marine protection: Wildlife Conservation Society consultations have advanced the Kavachi Seascape National Park plan in Western Province, with community support and a focus on protecting the underwater volcanic area from overfishing, illegal harvesting and deep-sea mining. Honiara land administration: The CAUSE II project has begun a valuation workshop to lay the technical groundwork for Honiara City’s property revaluation under the Integrated Land Information System, using improved technology for more accurate rateable property data. Fisheries inclusion training: Solomon Islands MFMR staff completed Gender, Disability and Social Inclusion training, linking new skills to the 2026 Solomon Islands gender and fisheries fact sheet and the ministry’s GEDSI strategy rollout. Sports innovation (chess): Solomon Islands Chess Federation president Simon Chottu joined a Melbourne roundtable on innovation and digital transformation in sport, exploring ways to expand chess in schools and reach young players. Food & trade tech: Seafood Expo Asia opened in Singapore with new national pavilions and processing-technology exhibitors, signaling growing seafood supply-chain partnerships across the region.

Pacific diplomacy & tech geopolitics: China warned there will be “consequences” over Taiwan’s presence at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, as leaders’ attendance gaps and Taiwan’s return to forum events keep tensions high. Climate & nature-based solutions: On World Environment Day, the Pacific Community (SPC) pushed Nature-based Solutions to protect Pacific biodiversity as reefs and amphibians face mounting pressure. Sports tech & youth access: Solomon Islands Chess Federation president Simon Chottu joined a Melbourne roundtable on innovation and digital transformation in sport, exploring ways to expand chess in schools. Fisheries inclusion training: Solomon Islands’ MFMR ran Gender, Disability and Social Inclusion training for staff, linking it to the 2026 Solomon Islands gender and fisheries fact sheet. Honiara land data upgrade: CAUSE II held a valuation workshop to lay the groundwork for Honiara City’s property revaluation using improved technology and stronger property data. Community-led conservation: Consultations are complete for the proposed Kavachi Seascape National Park in Marovo Lagoon, with communities backing protection from overfishing and harmful activities. Carbon market safeguards: The RISE forest carbon policy project launched in Solomon Islands to strengthen rights, safeguards and fair benefit-sharing for community-owned projects. Education pipeline: Government plans a fully funded initiative sending up to 1,000 students to study in China, starting with 200 later this year. Food & local supply chain: Firetree’s 100% cocoa Solomon Islands bar has entered UK retailer Tesco, highlighting cocoa sourced from Solomon Islands farms.

Climate Tech & Advocacy: A new immersive documentary, “Solwata,” is being launched at the Venice International Film Festival, using extended reality to show how climate relocation decisions hit coastal communities’ land rights and culture—co-created with Solomon Islands communities and produced with Human Rights Watch. Shipping Decarbonisation: UN talks on the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework for international shipping resume in London (Sept 1–4), with countries split over whether to keep a global carbon price or weaken the plan. Urban Data & Land Reform: CAUSE II is running a Honiara City property revaluation workshop to build a stronger land administration data base under the Integrated Land Information System, using improved technology for more consistent rates. Regional Security & Diplomacy: Pacific Islands Forum leaders are gathering in Palau under “BELAU,” with Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Matthew Wale absent after a sudden return home, while Taiwan’s participation resumes through partner events. Marine Conservation: Wildlife Conservation Society consultations have advanced the Kavachi Seascape National Park plan in Marovo Lagoon, with community support aimed at curbing overfishing and harmful activities. Carbon Markets (Local Safeguards): The RISE forest carbon policy project has launched in Solomon Islands to strengthen rights, safeguards and fair benefit-sharing for community-owned projects. Education & Skills: Solomon Islands is preparing a fully funded initiative sending up to 1,000 students to China, with priority areas including agriculture, fisheries, healthcare, roads, renewable energy and IT.

UN Shipping Climate Talks: Negotiations resume at the IMO in London (Sept 1–4) on the Net-Zero Framework for international shipping, with a global carbon price at the centre of a sharp divide over whether the plan stays strong or gets weakened. Honiara Property Revaluation: CAUSE II has kicked off a valuation workshop to build the technical base for revaluing rateable properties across Honiara, tied to the Integrated Land Information System to improve land administration. Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: Leaders are gathering in Koror for the 55th PIF, with climate, regional security and outside-power competition expected to dominate, while Solomon Islands’ PM Matthew Wale’s sudden departure adds uncertainty. Marovo Kavachi Seascape Park: Wildlife Conservation Society consultations are complete for the proposed Kavachi Seascape National Park, with community support and plans to curb overfishing and harmful activities. Solomon Islands Education & Skills: Government is preparing a fully funded initiative sending 200 students to China later this year, scaling to 1,000 in 2027, alongside new Chinese scholarship awards for 2026. RISE Forest Carbon Policy: A new project launched in Solomon Islands aims to strengthen safeguards and community leadership in the emerging forest carbon market. Smart Glasses Privacy (Australia): Australia is moving ahead with privacy-law changes for AI and smart glasses, while not considering an import ban in this round. Regional Geohazards Resilience: Pacific partners met in Honiara to push multi-hazard early warning coordination for earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic risks.

Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: Australia’s Anthony Albanese heads to the summit as regional security and climate finance are expected to dominate, with Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale absent after a sudden return home; Taiwan is also back in the event mix after last year’s exclusion. Smart glasses privacy debate (Australia): Australia’s privacy reforms won’t include an import ban for now, but regulators are pushing stronger protections like face blurring and tighter limits on what companies can collect. Solomon Islands conservation push: Wildlife Conservation Society consultations have gained strong community support for the Kavachi Seascape National Park in Marovo Lagoon, aiming to curb overfishing and harmful activities while opening doors for research and sustainable livelihoods. Payments upgrade: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands has launched Instant Funds Transfer via SOLATS, speeding cross-bank transfers with an initial SBD5,000 limit. Education and skills: Government plans a fully funded China study initiative for up to 1,000 students, and 40+ students have already received Chinese scholarships for 2026. Regional resilience planning: Pacific partners met in Honiara to strengthen multi-hazard early warning for earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.

Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: Leaders are gathering in Koror for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum under “BELAU – Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity,” with Solomon Islands’ hosting last year still shaping debate on who gets to attend and how partners engage. Taiwan returns to PIF events: The US-backed Taiwan delegation is attending this year’s summit-related dialogues after being barred in 2025, with Taiwan highlighting cooperation in digital resilience, renewable energy, and smart health. Climate pressure on Australia: Forum coverage points to renewed calls for Australia to cut coal and gas and show climate solidarity as Pacific leaders push for faster emissions action. Marovo Kavachi Seascape Park: Wildlife Conservation Society consultations in Western Province show strong community support for a proposed seascape national park to protect the underwater volcanic area from overfishing, illegal harvesting, and deep-sea mining. Solomon Islands payments upgrade: The Central Bank has launched an Instant Funds Transfer service to speed money transfers between participating banks, with an initial SBD5,000 limit. Education and skills pipeline: Solomon Islands is preparing a fully funded initiative sending 1,000 students to China, starting with 200 later this year, targeting areas like IT, healthcare, agriculture, and fisheries. Forest carbon policy: A new RISE project (Rights, Integrity, Safeguards and Equity) was launched to strengthen safeguards and community leadership in Solomon Islands’ emerging forest carbon market.

Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: Climate and development are set to dominate the 55th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting, with host Palau expected to press Australia on coal and gas while major powers compete over security and ocean resources. Taiwan returns to PIF events: The US has backed Taiwan’s continued participation, and Taiwan’s foreign minister is set to attend Palau events after last year’s Solomon Islands-hosted meeting barred outside partners. Marovo Kavachi Seascape Park: Wildlife Conservation Society consultations in Western Province show strong community support for a proposed Kavachi Seascape National Park, aiming to curb overfishing and harmful activities while enabling research and sustainable livelihoods. Solomon Islands carbon policy push: The RISE forest carbon policy project launched to strengthen safeguards and community leadership in the emerging carbon market. Education and skills funding: Government plans a fully funded initiative for 1,000 students to study in China, with the first 200 expected to travel later this year. Payments upgrade: CBSI launched Instant Funds Transfer (IFT) to speed up transfers between participating banks, with an initial SBD5,000 limit. Disaster resilience coordination: Pacific nations met in Honiara to improve multi-hazard early warning and strengthen seismic and tsunami monitoring for 2026–2030. Health and culture at SINU: Solomon Islands National University Open Day 2026 recognised FEH and SEWA for education and cultural contributions. Governance and procurement ruling: The High Court ruled the NHA acted unlawfully in 2023 Pacific Games spending by bypassing public procurement safeguards.

AI & Digital Diplomacy: Xinhua says China’s open-source AI models are driving innovation and lowering costs for developers worldwide, while Pacific leaders weigh how major-power tech competition could shape regional priorities. Regional Security & Resources: The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau (Aug 30–Sept 4) is set to test whether island nations can keep a common voice amid rivalry over security, ocean minerals, and partnerships. Weather Tech Meets Folklore: China’s MAZU meteorological early-warning system is highlighted as a smart-app safeguard for fishers, blending satellite alerts with local seafaring practice. Marine Conservation: Marovo’s Kavachi Seascape National Park plan gains momentum after WCS consultations with 34 communities, aiming to curb overfishing and harmful activities while supporting research and livelihoods. Solomon Islands Payments Upgrade: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands launches Instant Funds Transfer via SOLATS, speeding cross-bank transfers (initial limit SBD5,000). Carbon Markets & Land Rights: RISE (Rights, Integrity, Safeguards and Equity) launches in Solomon Islands to strengthen policy and safeguards for community-owned forest carbon projects. Education & Skills: Solomon Islands prepares a fully funded initiative sending 1,000 students to China (first 200 later in 2026), alongside scholarship awards for 40+ students. Disaster Resilience: Pacific nations in Honiara coordinate multi-hazard geohazard and tsunami resilience, pushing better seismic data sharing and monitoring capacity. Governance & Compliance: Solomon Islands High Court rules the National Hosting Authority acted unlawfully in 2023 Pacific Games spending, challenging procurement “blanket waiver” practices.

Education & Skills: Solomon Islands is preparing a fully funded initiative to send 1,000 students to China, starting with 200 students later in 2026, targeting areas like agriculture, fisheries, forestry, healthcare, roads, renewable energy and information technology. Payments Tech: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands has launched Instant Funds Transfer (IFT) via SOLATS, letting customers move money between participating banks faster, with an initial SBD5,000 transaction limit. Climate & Land Restoration: Solomon Islands called for stronger, more accessible and predictable financing at UNCCD COP17 to support land restoration, sustainable agriculture and drought resilience. Carbon Markets Safeguards: Live and Learn Solomon Islands helped launch the RISE forest carbon policy project to strengthen rights, safeguards and fair benefit-sharing for community-owned forest carbon projects. Marine & Regional Governance: Pamela Maru resigned as Cook Islands Marine Resources head to become Deputy Director-General at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency in January 2027. Disaster Resilience: Pacific partners met in Honiara to push multi-hazard earthquake and tsunami resilience, focusing on better monitoring, data sharing and workforce capacity. Legal & Public Finance: Solomon Islands High Court ruled the National Hosting Authority acted unlawfully when it bypassed procurement safeguards for the 2023 Pacific Games.

Education & Research Links: Indonesia is inviting universities to expand partnerships with Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, including via a Port Moresby education exhibition and scholarship pathways that also support joint research and innovation. Scholarships & Skills: JICA’s 2026 SDGs Global Leader Programme is sending scholars from partner countries including the Solomon Islands to Japan to learn about development, infrastructure strategies and technological innovation. Marine Conservation: WCS has completed community consultations on the draft Kavachi Seascape National Park Management Plan in Western Province, with locals backing protection to curb overfishing and harmful activities while enabling research, education and sustainable livelihoods. Carbon Policy: Live and Learn Solomon Islands has launched the RISE forest carbon policy project to strengthen safeguards, community leadership and fair benefit-sharing in the country’s emerging carbon market. Education Funding: Government is preparing a fully funded initiative sending 1,000 students to China, starting with 200 later this year, targeting areas like agriculture, fisheries, forestry, healthcare, roads, renewable energy and IT. Payments Tech: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands has launched Instant Funds Transfer (IFT) through SOLATS, speeding cross-bank transfers with an initial SBD5,000 limit. Governance & Compliance: The High Court ruled the National Hosting Authority acted without lawful authority in how it spent 2023 Pacific Games funds, including an unlawful “Blanket Waiver” that bypassed competitive procurement safeguards. Regional Resilience: Pacific nations met in Honiara to coordinate earthquake, tsunami and volcanic resilience, agreeing on priority actions to improve seismic data sharing, monitoring interoperability and workforce development. Land Restoration Finance: Solomon Islands called at UNCCD COP17 for stronger, more accessible and predictable financing to support land restoration and drought resilience.

Infrastructure & Border Security: Australia-backed Western Border Outpost in the Shortland Islands and a new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre in Honiara are now operating, with over SBD830m in grant support delivered to improve essential services. Digital Payments: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands has launched Instant Funds Transfer (IFT) via SOLATS, enabling faster transfers between participating banks (initial limit SBD5,000). Education & Skills: SINU Open Day 2026 highlighted FEH and SEWA award wins, while the Government prepares a fully funded plan to send 1,000 students to China (starting with 200 later in 2026) across priority sectors like IT, healthcare, agriculture and fisheries. Climate & Land: The RISE forest carbon policy project launched to strengthen safeguards and community leadership in Solomon Islands’ carbon market, and the country urged more accessible financing for land restoration and drought resilience at UNCCD COP17. Governance & Law: Solomon Islands High Court ruled the National Hosting Authority acted unlawfully over 2023 Pacific Games spending and procurement safeguards. Regional Science & Risk: Pacific nations met in Honiara to coordinate earthquake and tsunami resilience, focusing on better data sharing and monitoring capacity.

Education & Innovation: SINU Open Day 2026 in Honiara saw the Faculty of Education and Humanities win Best Booth (coconut tree theme with a Tomoko canoe) and the SEWA Student Association take Best Cultural Performance for panpipes, under “Creating Your Future: Education, Skills and Innovation for a GREAT Solomon Islands.” Carbon Markets Safeguards: Live and Learn Solomon Islands launched the RISE forest carbon policy project (Rights, Integrity, Safeguards and Equity) to strengthen rules for community-owned forest carbon projects, with local land rights and fair benefit-sharing at the core. Scholarships & Skills Pipeline: Government is preparing a fully funded initiative sending 1,000 students to China, starting with 200 later this year, targeting areas like agriculture, fisheries, healthcare, roads, renewable energy and IT. Payments Tech: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands launched Instant Funds Transfer via SOLATS, enabling faster transfers between participating banks (initial limit SBD5,000). Regional Geohazards: Pacific partners met in Honiara to push coordinated earthquake and tsunami resilience, focusing on better monitoring, data sharing and investment for 2026–2030. Science & Culture: Ecologist Cynthia Malone is pursuing an Oxford PhD to advance “Decolonizing the Wild,” drawing on her work across Africa and the Solomon Islands.

Forest Carbon Policy: The RISE project (Rights, Integrity, Safeguards and Equity) has launched in Solomon Islands to strengthen rules and community leadership for forest carbon projects, aiming for fair benefits and locally led decision-making. Regional Geohazards: Pacific nations met in Honiara to push coordinated earthquake, tsunami and volcanic resilience, agreeing on priorities for better seismic data sharing, monitoring, skills and investment for 2026–2030. Payments Tech: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands has launched Instant Funds Transfer via SOLATS, enabling faster transfers between participating banks with an initial SBD5,000 limit. Government Appointments: Three Permanent Secretaries were sworn in to lead Finance and Treasury, Police/National Security/Corrections, and Culture and Tourism. Marine Leadership: Pamela Maru (Cook Islands) has been appointed the first Cook Islander to an executive role at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, starting January 2027. Education Scholarships: Over 40 Solomon Islands students received Chinese scholarships for 2026 to study across more than 30 universities in fields including medicine, agriculture and software engineering. Land Restoration Finance: Solomon Islands urged stronger, simpler and more predictable financing for land restoration and drought resilience at UNCCD COP17. Earth Observation for Fisheries: A UNSW-led program is expanding ocean temperature sensing on fishing vessels to help Pacific fishers and fisheries management track shifting tuna behaviour.

Education & Skills: More than 40 Solomon Islands students received Chinese Central and Provincial Government scholarships for 2026, studying across 30+ universities in areas including medicine, agriculture and software engineering. Digital Finance: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands launched Instant Funds Transfer via SOLATS, enabling faster transfers between participating banks with an initial SBD5,000 limit. Governance & Accountability: The High Court ruled the National Hosting Authority acted unlawfully when it used a “Blanket Waiver” to bypass public procurement safeguards for the 2023 Pacific Games. Public Service Appointments: Three Permanent Secretaries were sworn in—David Teika Dennis (Finance and Treasury), Trevor Unusu (Police, National Security and Correctional Services), and Bunyan Sivoro (Culture and Tourism). Climate Resilience Finance: Solomon Islands urged stronger, more accessible and predictable financing for land restoration and drought resilience at UNCCD COP17. Science & Risk: A Tonga-based researcher says earthquake activity across the Ring of Fire is rising, including along the Tonga–Fiji–Vanuatu–Solomon Islands stretch. Tech in the Pacific: A new report argues Pacific communications sovereignty is shaped by submarine cable control and global tech platforms.

High Court Procurement Ruling: Solomon Islands’ High Court says the National Hosting Authority acted without lawful authority when it spent public money on the 2023 Pacific Games, striking down a “Blanket Waiver” that let contracts bypass competitive tendering and finding breaches of the Public Financial Management Act. Digital Payments: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands has launched Instant Funds Transfer via SOLATS, enabling faster transfers between participating banks, with an initial SBD5,000 transaction limit. Government Appointments: Three Permanent Secretaries were sworn in—David Teika Dennis (Finance and Treasury), Trevor Unusu (Police, National Security and Correctional Services), and Bunyan Sivoro (Culture and Tourism)—as Acting Governor-General Sir Albert Rocky Palmer urged stronger leadership and public service values. Land & Drought Financing: Agriculture Minister Franklyn Derek Wasi pushed for more accessible, predictable climate finance for land restoration and drought resilience at UNCCD COP17. Science in Schools: New science laboratory classrooms (over SBD2.7m) were handed over in Western Province to expand hands-on learning for rural students. Livestock Health in Malaita: MALD ran animal health disease awareness and surveillance outreach across Auki and parts of Malaita, collecting samples and advising farmers on prevention and early reporting.

High Court & Public Procurement: Solomon Islands’ High Court ruled the National Hosting Authority unlawfully bypassed public procurement safeguards for the 2023 Pacific Games, including a “Blanket Waiver” that let priority contracts skip competitive tendering, and questioned spending authority tied to the Sports Solomons Fund. Payments Tech: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands launched Instant Funds Transfer via SOLATS, enabling faster transfers between participating banks with an initial SBD5,000 transaction limit. Government Leadership: Three Permanent Secretaries were sworn in—David Teika Dennis (Finance & Treasury), Trevor Unusu (Police, National Security & Correctional Services), and Bunyan Sivoro (Culture & Tourism)—as the new leadership takes charge of key ministries. Climate Finance at UNCCD COP17: Agriculture Minister Franklyn Derek Wasi urged more accessible, predictable financing for land restoration and drought resilience, highlighting barriers for small island states. Earthquake Research: A Tonga-based researcher says Pacific seismic activity is rising along the Ring of Fire and expects more major quakes before year-end. Education & Labs: New science laboratory classrooms were handed over in Western Province, aiming to boost hands-on learning for rural students.