Solomon Water strengthens environmental and social management after an ADB-supported knowledge-sharing workshop with Fiji’s WAF.
Honiara, Solomon Islands (August 24), 2026 — Solomon Water, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), recently completed a week long Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) knowledge-sharing and development workshop with the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) in Honiara from 17-21 August, 2026.
The workshop provided an opportunity for Solomon Water staff to learn from WAF’s experience in developing and implementing an ESMS, undertake practical site visits, and conduct consultations with Solomon Water teams to understand existing environmental and social practices, systems, policies and procedures.
A key outcome of the workshop was the completion of an initial gap analysis, which confirmed that Solomon Water already has a range of systems and good practices for managing environmental and social risks. These include the Water Safety Plan, health and safety systems, catchment management arrangements, customer and grievance mechanisms, human resources policies, operational procedures and project safeguards processes. However, these practices are currently spread across different departments and are not always connected through one consistent organisational framework.
The workshop therefore provided a clear basis for developing a Solomon Water-owned ESMS that will connect existing practices, clarify roles and responsibilities, strengthen risk management and ensure environmental and social considerations are incorporated into routine organisational decision-making.
The ESMS will be aligned with Solomon Islands legislation and Solomon Water’s existing policies, plans and procedures.
Key outcomes:
- Increased knowledge-sharing between WAF and Solomon Water on practical ESMS development and implementation.
- Completed initial consultations and gap analysis across Solomon Water departments.
- Identified existing environmental and social systems and good practices that can be strengthened and integrated.
- Identified priority gaps, including coordination, documentation, accountability, early integration of E&S considerations and capacity.
- Agreed on the direction and key components of the Solomon Water ESMS.
- Established a practical work programme for developing the ESMS framework, policy, tools, templates and SOP integration recommendations.
The next phase will focus on translating the findings from the workshop into a practical ESMS package consisting of framework and policy for senior management and Board consideration, followed by awareness, socialisation and eventual implementation support.
The overall objective is not to create another donor safeguards system, but to establish a practical, Solomon Water-owned management system that builds on existing practices and makes environmental and social management part of normal business operations.
As part of the closing, Solomon Water and WAF exchanged cultural gifts, celebrating friendship, shared Pacific values and regional cooperation.
Acting CEO Mr. Ray Andresen expressed his gratitude to WAF and ADB for facilitating the workshop, highlighting the importance of Pacific collaboration and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing in strengthening water utilities across the region.
The workshop was facilitated by Ms Julia Whippy, ESMS Consultant WAF, Ms Rolini Nand, Manager of Environment Safeguards Unit, WAF, Mr Jay Roop, ADB Safeguards Team Leader, and Ms Kate Walker, ADB Technical Assistance Consultant.
SOURCE// SIWA PRESS RELEASE
