MECDM outlines resilience, climate action and environmental reforms to strengthen Solomon Islands’ sustainable future
HONIARA, Solomon Islands – August 5, 2026 – The Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Hon. Wayne Ghemu, delivered a pivotal response to the Speech from the Throne today, outlining a comprehensive roadmap to bolster national resilience and environmental protection under the GREAT Coalition government. Emphasizing that “change is here,” Minister Ghemu detailed how his Ministry will translate national pillars of transformation into tangible and on-ground actions for communities across the Solomon Islands.
A core component of the Ministry’s agenda is a comprehensive Programme of Environmental Stewardship. This includes modernizing legal frameworks through legislative reviews and establishing a new Compliance and Enforcement Unit to ensure accountability for environmental safeguards and compliance standards. Furthermore, the Ministry is committed to expanding protected areas on both land and sea, utilizing community-driven measures that respect the roles of provincial governments and customary resource owners.
Addressing waste management, Minister Ghemu highlighted the ongoing rehabilitation of the Ranadi rubbish dump and the development of a new, engineered landfill at Tenaru in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, Honiara City Council and Guadalcanal Provincial Government. These efforts will extend beyond Honiara to strengthen waste systems in provincial centres such as Gizo, Noro, Auki, and Tulagi.
Recognizing climate change as the nation’s “greatest existential challenge,” the Ministry is prioritizing nature-based solutions and resilient infrastructure across sectors like agriculture, education and health. To ensure the Solomon Islands can lead its own climate actions, the Ministry is pursuing national accreditation for institutions—including the Development Bank of Solomon Islands and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury—to enable direct access to international climate finance.
Additionally, the government is developing a national framework for loss and damage to support communities facing irreversible impacts from sea-level rise and extreme weather. “This framework will guarantee that no family or province is left behind,” Minister Ghemu stated.
In the wake of Tropical Cyclone Maila, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to recovery, announcing an ambitious shelter reconstruction program for families whose homes were destroyed. He emphasized that recovery is an investment in people, supported by international partners including Australia, New Zealand, China, the United States, the World Bank, and ADB.
To improve future preparedness, the Ministry will deliver modernized meteorological services, featuring the installation of the first weather radar in the nation’s history. This landmark technology will transform the country’s ability to provide early warnings for tropical cyclones and hydrometeorological hazards thereby safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and fishers and protecting the aviation sector.
Minister Ghemu concluded by stressing that “disaster is everybody’s business,” calling for a shared duty among individuals, communities, and leaders. The Ministry’s vision is to build a nation that no longer waits for disaster relief but embeds resilience into daily life.
“This is our solemn commitment—to serve our people, safeguard our environment, and build a Solomon Islands that is more resilient,” said Minister Ghemu.
OFFICE OF PRIME MINISTER PRESS RELEASE
