FROM THE HIGH COMMISSIONER’S DESK – ROD HILTON
Province.
Hapi Niu Yia!
I hope everyone had a blessed and joyous festive period with their families.
For me, it was a chance to rest, reconnect, and recharge for the year ahead.
My thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu as they recover from last month’s devastating earthquake. Like Vanuatu, Solomon Islands is highly vulnerable to natural hazards like earthquakes, cyclones, and droughts.
Disaster preparedness is crucial as climate change increases the intensity of weather-related disasters. Australia and Solomon Islands share a strong partnership on climate change, disaster resilience, and humanitarian assistance. Today, I want to share some of Australia’s programs to help Solomon Islands prepare for future challenges.
Preparing for and responding to disasters
Constructed with Australia’s support, the Provincial Emergency Operation Centre in Taro will ensure quick help reaches those in need.
This building is part of a package of humanitarian infrastructure projects Australia has supported over the last two years, with more underway.
Upgrades to the National Disaster Management Office in Ranadi and a new humanitarian warehouse in Lata will also be completed early this year.
These facilities will enhance disaster response across Honiara and the provinces.
We’ve established technical partnerships between Solomon Islands and Australian agencies to share lessons and strengthen disaster preparedness.
Australia is also training and equipping disaster management agencies in Solomon Islands to better support communities when disaster strikes.
Building community resilience to climate change and disasters
Australia’s support is helping communities across Solomon Islands to build resilience to climate change and disasters. Through the Disaster READY Program, six NGOs and 17 local partners are strengthening disaster response in nearly 100 communities across eight provinces.
Projects under our Climate Resilient by Nature program in Malaita are protecting forest biodiversity and engaging communities in carbon markets, restoring mangroves in Malaita and Makira, and working with women to manage sea grapes and mangroves in Western Province.
A new three-year partnership with James Cook University supports the Baru Conservation Alliance in East Kwaio, Malaita, preserving traditional knowledge and culture while improving health and building climate resilience.
In 2025, we’ll begin a climate resilience partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute to assist the Solomon Islands Government with national adaptation planning and vulnerability assessments.
High Commissioner His Excellency Rod Hilton
marking the start of main works construction for
the Tina River
Hydropower Development Project
Hon Trevor Hedley Mahaga with Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy,
Hon Chris Bowen MP at the announcement of new renewable initiatives at COP29.
constructed with Australia’s support.
More secure and reliable energy access
A key part of our partnership is helping Solomon Islands transition to renewable energy, improving access, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and cutting emissions.
In November 2024, I joined Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to celebrate the start of construction at the Tina River Hydropower Development Project, which will provide affordable, reliable electricity to Honiara.
In 2024, we launched off-grid renewable energy partnerships in rural communities, including a solar hybrid system at Good Samaritan Hospital in Tetere.
Last year, Australia announced SBD688 million for new initiatives to improve energy security and scale up energy grid transitions in the Pacific. This includes the ‘REnew Pacific’ program, which will deliver off-grid and community scale renewable energy.
This is a snapshot of Australia’s work to support Solomon Islands in building resilience to climate change and disasters. I look forward to continuing this work in the coming year.
Lukim iu neks taem!
