AGP Executive Report

Disaster Readiness: World Vision has provided printing and photocopying equipment to Makira’s disaster office and provincial women’s council, helping frontline teams share safety information and coordinate during emergencies. Food Research: A rice trial at Dodo Creek has reached its first harvest. Researchers will assess yields and grain quality to see whether the varieties can grow successfully in Solomon Islands. Health Technology: SIPPA is preparing a mobile clinic offering free, confidential HIV and syphilis testing three nights a week in Honiara, bringing screening into communities. Digital Government: The Government is exploring an AI system to help the Treasury use financial data for faster management decisions. Climate Science: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says COP31 must deliver real action, as Pacific communities face worsening sea-level rise and extreme weather.

Food Security: The Dodo Creek rice trial has reached its first harvest, giving researchers a chance to assess whether rice can be grown locally and support food security. Climate: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says COP31 must deliver real emissions cuts and climate finance, warning that rising seas are already threatening Solomon Islands communities. Government AI: The government is exploring an AI system to help Treasury managers make decisions using real-time data. Mineral Research: Makira Ulawa is working with national and international experts to map local mineral deposits, updating surveys dating back to the pre-independence era. Responsible Technology: SINU Vice Chancellor Transform Aqorau urged people to use AI thoughtfully, protect privacy and consider practical benefits for Solomon Islands. Climate Adaptation: Western Province seaweed farmers say changing weather, heavy rain and low tides are disrupting harvests and incomes, underscoring the need to adapt.

Education Reform: World Teachers’ Day coverage in Solomon Islands is pushing beyond praise. Western Province Assembly Speaker Ramrakha Aquila Talasasa says teachers need real support—training, learning resources, better conditions and professional freedom—not just ceremonies. Policy Update: At the national event in Guadalcanal, Education Minister Stephen Kumi says reforms are underway, including a new teacher salary and classification structure, plus plans for housing and annual leave arrangements by 2027. Health Access: SIPPA is set to launch a free, confidential mobile clinic in Honiara offering HIV and syphilis screening three nights a week, with locations kept private for safety. Climate Diplomacy: PM Matthew Wale is calling for stronger political accountability from major emitters ahead of COP31, urging research into historical emissions and warning the Pacific is being left to absorb the costs. AI & Governance: Solomon Islands Government is exploring an AI management system for the Treasury, while SINU is urging responsible AI use in education and highlighting gender gaps in science and TVET graduates. Infrastructure: Honiara’s new Communication and Aviation Complex at the airport has been opened under a World Bank-backed project, aiming to bring agencies under one roof.

AI & Governance: Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale says the government is exploring an AI management system for the Treasury to support faster, real-time decisions, while SINU Vice Chancellor Dr Transform Aqorau urges responsible AI use in education and warns users to protect privacy and trust. Climate Accountability: Wale also calls on major greenhouse gas emitters to take stronger political action, proposing research into historical and current emissions to strengthen “polluter-pays” accountability ahead of COP31. Pacific 1.5°C Push: Pacific leaders in Fiji and Tuvalu are rallying to keep 1.5°C within reach, using Tuvalu’s sea-level rise as frontline proof. Honiara Airport Upgrade: The Ministry of Communication and Aviation has opened a new Aviation Complex at Honiara International Airport, bringing key agencies under one roof. Health Access: Honiara’s Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre moves to full 24/7 operations from 6 October. Local Tech & Skills: SINU highlights growing graduate numbers (with women making up 63% overall) and China-trained SINU staff on governance and digital governance. Food & Weather Stress: El Niño impacts seaweed farming, with rain and extended low tides disrupting drying and sales.

Climate Accountability & 1.5°C Push: Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale met UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed at Pre-COP31 in Fiji, urging major greenhouse gas emitters to face stronger political action and accountability, including research into historical emissions and wider use of vulnerability tools to unlock climate finance. Pacific Climate Diplomacy: Pacific leaders also met ahead of COP31 to keep warming as close as 1.5°C as possible, with Tuvalu’s sea-level rise used as a stark on-the-ground warning. Seaweed Sector Under El Niño: In Western Province, seaweed farmers say El Niño-driven rain, shifting tides and past cyclone damage are slowing drying and sales, threatening household income. Honiara Airport Upgrade: The Ministry of Communication and Aviation opened a new US$5.77m Communication and Aviation Complex at Honiara International Airport to bring key agencies under one roof and cut reliance on rentals. AI in Solomon Islands Governance: Government is exploring an AI management system for the Treasury to support real-time decision-making, while SINU leaders stress responsible AI use and privacy. Education Reforms: World Teachers’ Day events highlighted improved teacher salary structures and plans for housing and leave arrangements. Health Access: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre moves to 24/7 operations from 6 October. Local Tech & Skills: Australia-backed training will upskill hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders in mobile phone repair, supporting inclusive employment.

Aviation & Digital Services: Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Communication and Aviation has opened and handed over the new US$5.77m Communication and Aviation Complex at Honiara International Airport, bringing MCA, CAASI and Customs/Immigration/Quarantine under one roof to improve coordination. Climate Diplomacy: Ahead of COP31, Pacific leaders in Fiji and Tuvalu are pushing to keep warming near 1.5°C, pointing to Tuvalu’s sea-level rise and calling for stronger Pacific influence in global climate decisions. AI in Government: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says the government is exploring an AI management system for the national Treasury to support real-time decision-making, while SINU’s leadership urges responsible AI use in education. Education & Skills: SINU graduation highlights women’s strong presence overall (63% of graduates) but low numbers in Science and TVET; meanwhile World Teachers’ Day marks reforms to improve teacher salaries, housing and leave. Health Access: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre expands to 24/7 operations from 6 October, including continuous low-risk maternity services. Agriculture Research: MALD’s rice trial of MAL 1 and MAL 2 enters final field stages ahead of harvest, with yield and quality tests planned. Local Tech & Training: An Australian-backed program trains hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders in mobile phone repair, aiming to boost inclusive employment.

Climate Diplomacy: Ahead of COP31 (Oct 5–8), Pacific leaders in Fiji and Tuvalu pushed a united push for stronger global climate action, with Solomon Islands’ environment minister Wayne Ghemu saying the region will “hold the pen” on ambition. Sea-Level Reality Check: Prime Minister Matthew Wale is visiting Tuvalu to show high-tide impacts of sea-level rise firsthand, as leaders argue Pacific voices must sit at the centre of climate decisions. AI in Government: PM Wale says the government has started exploring an AI management system for the national Treasury to support real-time decision-making on live data, while warning about rogue AI agents. SINU Capacity Building: Two SINU staff returned from a China training on governance, risk management, digital governance and responsible use of emerging technologies including AI. Education & Tech Skills: SINU graduation highlighted responsible AI use and a gender gap in Science/Tech/TVET; separately, Australia-backed phone repair training will upskill 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders. Health Services Upgrade: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre moves to 24/7 operations from 6 October, expanding continuous outpatient and low-risk delivery services. Agriculture Research: MALD’s rice trial (MAL 1 and MAL 2) is in final field stages ahead of harvest, aiming to test yields and local suitability. Climate Impacts on Livelihoods: El Niño-linked rain and shifting tides are disrupting seaweed farming in Western Province, compounding earlier cyclone damage.

AI & Education: SINU Vice Chancellor Transform Aqorau urged responsible AI use in education, warning students to learn tools’ limits, protect privacy, and boost women’s participation in science, tech and trades. Gender in STEM: SINU’s 2026 graduation showed women made up about 63% overall, but only 8 of 48 Science & Technology graduates were women, with all TVET graduates men. Climate pressure on livelihoods: In Western Province, El Niño-driven rain and shifting tides are disrupting seaweed farming, compounding damage from Tropical Cyclone Maila. Climate diplomacy: Pacific leaders in Fiji and Tuvalu are pushing COP31 priorities, including keeping 1.5°C within reach, while Tuvalu’s sea-level rise is used as “frontline evidence” for action. Health access upgrade: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre moves to 24/7 operations from 6 October, expanding outpatient and low-risk delivery services. Mining data for Makira: Makira Ulawa Province is mapping minerals with MMERE, Curtin University and a Chinese lab, using river rock samples to update older findings. Infrastructure & tech services: MCA opened a new US$5.77m aviation complex, and SINPF urged responsible long-term investment to support the economy.

Climate & Food Security: El Niño is already disrupting Solomon Islands seaweed farming in Western Province, with nonstop rain delaying drying, packaging and sales, on top of earlier damage from Tropical Cyclone Maila. Education Reform: World Teachers’ Day in Guadalcanal and Honiara highlighted government moves to improve teacher pay and conditions, including a new salary and classification structure and plans for housing and leave arrangements. AI & Skills: SINU Vice Chancellor Transform Aqorau urged responsible AI use in education and called for more women in science, technology and trades, pointing to gender gaps in Science & Technology and TVET graduates. Agriculture Research: MALD’s rice trial of varieties MAL 1 and MAL 2 is in its final field stage ahead of harvest, aiming to test yields and quality for local farming. Health Services: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre will expand to 24/7 operations from 6 October, including continuous outpatient and low-risk delivery services. Infrastructure & Tech: The Ministry of Communication and Aviation opened a new US$5.77m aviation complex, bringing agencies including CAASI and a digital transformation unit under one roof. Inclusive Tech Training: Australia-backed training with Smart Technology will equip 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders with mobile phone repair skills. Global Policy: PM Matthew Wale told the UN that AI benefits must be shared by all, and pushed for stronger climate adaptation and resilience finance for small island states.

El Niño Impacts Food & Income: In Western Province, seaweed farmers say El Niño is already disrupting harvests with strong winds, continuous rain, and extended low tides—slowing drying, delaying packaging, and hitting community earnings after Tropical Cyclone Maila destroyed farms earlier this year. Education Reforms: Solomon Islands marked World Teachers’ Day at Nguvia, with Education Minister Stephen Kumi announcing a new teacher salary and classification structure, plus plans for housing and leave arrangements under a 2025 agreement, with changes expected from 2027. AI & Gender in Science: SINU Vice Chancellor Transform Aqorau urged responsible AI use in education and highlighted gender gaps in Science and Technology and TVET graduation numbers. Health Access Upgrade: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre will expand to 24/7 operations from 6 October, including continuous outpatient care and low-risk delivery services. Research & Mapping: Makira Ulawa is developing a Minerals Accuracy Map with Curtin University and China’s Laoshan National Laboratory, using river rock samples to update mineral composition data. Climate Diplomacy: Pacific leaders are meeting ahead of COP31 to push for keeping 1.5°C within reach, citing rising sea-level and adaptation risks. Tech for Inclusion: Australia-backed training will teach 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders mobile phone repair in Honiara, with tools and mentoring after the course. Infrastructure & Aviation: MCA opened a new US$5.77m aviation complex building in Honiara, consolidating key digital and aviation services under one facility.

AI & Education: SINU Vice Chancellor Transform Aqorau urged responsible AI use in education, stressing privacy, trust, and practical benefits for Solomon Islands, while pointing to gender gaps in Science & Technology and TVET graduates. Health Services: Honiara’s Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre is set to expand to 24/7 operations from 6 October, adding continuous outpatient and low-risk delivery services plus scheduled specialist clinics. Agriculture Research: MALD’s rice trial of varieties MAL 1 and MAL 2 has entered the final field stage ahead of harvest, with yield, taste-testing and quality checks planned for local suitability. Mining Mapping: Makira Ulawa Province is building a Minerals Accuracy Map using samples from local rivers, with support from Curtin University and China’s Laoshan National Laboratory. Transport & Aviation Infrastructure: Work is progressing on Honiara and Munda control towers under SIRAP2, while the new MCA Aviation Complex building has opened to reduce reliance on rented offices. Skills & Inclusion: Australia-backed training with Smart Technology will teach 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders mobile phone repair, aiming for tools, mentoring and pathways to work. Climate & Policy: PM Matthew Wale told the UN AI benefits must be shared fairly, and called for stronger adaptation and resilience finance as climate impacts intensify.

COP31 Climate Push: Pacific leaders meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu ahead of COP31 in Türkiye are urging countries to keep 1.5°C within reach, warning that even small warming increases sea-level rise, adaptation costs and locked-in risks for atoll nations. Climate Finance Gap: New analysis says Pacific countries need about US$3.3b a year for adaptation, but current finance covers only around a third (26% on actual disbursements), with a shift from grants to lending squeezing budgets. AI and Skills at SINU: Solomon Islands National University urged responsible AI use in education and called for more women in science, tech and trades, as it reported 742 graduates in its 2026 cohort (women 63%). Food Security Research: MALD’s rice trial of varieties MAL 1 and MAL 2 enters final field stages before harvest, with yield and quality tests to follow. Health Access Upgrade: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre moves to 24/7 operations from 6 October, expanding continuous outpatient and low-risk delivery services. Transport Tech and Safety: Australia-backed traffic and road study tours in Fiji focus on safer vehicle management systems and better enforcement. Inclusive Tech Training: Australia partners with Smart Technology to train 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders in mobile phone repair, with tools and mentoring support. Infrastructure and Aviation: SIRAP2 progress continues on Honiara and Munda control towers, with major structural works completed and installations advancing. Regional Media Leadership: MASI congratulates journalist Elizabeth Osifelo on election as Vice-President of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).

Agriculture Research: MALD’s rice trial of varieties MAL 1 and MAL 2 is in its final field stage, with harvest due next Monday; teams have been managing weeds, monitoring pests and disease, and tracking irrigation and agronomy, and post-harvest taste and quality tests will check yield per hectare and suitability for local consumption. Sports Tech & Training: St. Dominic Athletics Club is using mobile tech and social media group chats for remote coaching, keeping training momentum even when the mentor is away, with overseas partner support including running shoes and programme feedback. Infrastructure Oversight: China’s delegation inspected the China-aid Auki Road project, including on-site work, a field laboratory and camp facilities, and discussed progress plus training takeaways in roads, agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Graduates to Innovate: SINU Vice Chancellor Transform Aqorau urged graduates to “create work” and keep learning, using their skills with courage and integrity to solve real problems beyond their study fields. Health Services Upgrade: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre moves to 24/7 operations from 6 October, expanding continuous outpatient care and low-risk birthing while keeping high-risk referrals to NRH. Inclusive Skills Training: Australia-backed training with Smart Technology will teach 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders mobile phone repair, with tools, mentoring and support to help participants start services or find work. Regional Media Leadership: MASI congratulated journalist Elizabeth Osifelo on election as Vice-President of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) at the Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu. Public Health Watch: MHMS reports a rise in influenza-like illness cases across provinces and urges hygiene and vigilance while further lab testing continues.

Climate & Ocean Resilience: Island communities shared practical climate and ocean governance ideas at the 8th Virtual Island Summit, but leaders stressed the need for stronger collaboration, finance and partnerships to scale solutions. Human Rights & Governance: Solomon Islands backed 140 of 181 UN human rights recommendations in its latest Universal Periodic Review, noting 41 tied to sensitive social and legal issues. Health Services Upgrade: Honiara’s Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre moves to 24/7 operations from 6 October, expanding continuous outpatient care and low-risk delivery services. Aviation & Digital Capacity: The Ministry of Communication and Aviation opened a new US$5.77m aviation complex under SIRAP2, bringing key agencies and digital emergency response functions under one roof. Skills for Inclusion: Australia-backed training with Smart Technology will teach 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders mobile phone repair, aiming for jobs and small business support. Road Safety Knowledge Transfer: A Solomon Islands delegation studied Fiji’s integrated vehicle licensing, enforcement and road maintenance systems to improve local safety and infrastructure. Education & Research Pipeline: USP Solomon Islands Campus graduated 215 students across science, IT, engineering and other fields, urging them to apply skills to community and Pacific challenges.

UN diplomacy and AI: At UN General Assembly High-Level Week, UN chief António Guterres framed the world’s “tests of power” as war, inequality, climate and AI, while Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale urged that AI benefits be shared by all and governed by an open, inclusive framework. Healthcare access: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre will expand to full 24/7 operations from 6 October, with continuous outpatient care and low-risk delivery services, while specialised clinics and diagnostics run on set schedules. Digital inclusion skills: Australia-backed training with Honiara’s Smart Technology will teach 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders mobile phone repair, with tools and mentoring to support self-employment. Aviation infrastructure: Work is progressing on new Honiara and Munda control towers under SIRAP2, with major structural works completed in Honiara and installation works advancing at both sites. Road safety learning: A 14-person Solomon Islands transport delegation studied Fiji’s vehicle licensing, traffic enforcement and road maintenance systems to improve safer, better-managed roads at home. Public health watch: The Ministry of Health says influenza-like illness cases have risen across provinces and urges hygiene and continued vigilance as lab testing continues. Climate and resilience push: Wale used UNGA to call for scaled-up adaptation and resilience finance for Pacific communities facing climate mobility and disaster impacts. Regional media leadership: MASI congratulated journalist Elizabeth Osifelo on her election as Vice-President of the Pacific Islands News Association.

Health Access: Honiara’s Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre will expand to full 24/7 operations from 6 October, adding continuous outpatient care and low-risk birthing services while keeping high-risk cases referred to the National Referral Hospital. Economy & Investment: Finance Minister Rexon Ramofafia says the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) should back the economy through carefully managed long-term investments in areas like infrastructure, housing, telecoms, tourism, fisheries and energy—while protecting members’ retirement savings. Aviation Infrastructure: Work is progressing on Honiara and Munda control towers under SIRAP2, with major structural works completed in Honiara and installation works advancing at both sites. Skills for Inclusion: Australia-backed training with Honiara’s Smart Technology will teach 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders mobile phone repair, with tools and mentoring support after the course. Regional Tech & Governance: SIPA has signed with Australia’s NTRO to co-develop a GreenPort Framework to strengthen port sustainability and resilience. Public Health Watch: The health ministry reports a sustained rise in flu-like illness across provinces and urges hygiene precautions while lab testing continues. Climate & Mobility: PM Matthew Wale used UNGA to call for scaled-up climate adaptation and resilience finance and warned that Pacific communities are being forced into climate mobility as impacts worsen.