Solomon Islands and Japan sign ¥294 million grant agreements for scholarships and malaria diagnosis equipment
Honiara, Monday 29 June 2026 -Solomon Islands and Japan today signed two Grant Agreements valued at 294 million Japanese Yen to strengthen public service capacity and improve malaria diagnosis in the country.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jr and State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Mr Iwao Horii exchanged the Notes during a signing ceremony in Honiara.
The first agreement provides 126 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to SBD 6.2 million, for the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship.
Minister Kenilorea said the JDS programme will support Solomon Islands public servants to undertake Master’s degrees in Japan.
“By supporting postgraduate study in Japan, this programme builds the knowledge, leadership and technical expertise our public service needs to meet our country’s evolving development challenges,” he said.
Mr Horii said the project aims to develop civil servants who will be involved in policy-making in the future.
“Through this project, we hope to build multi-layered people-to-people relationships and networks between Japan and Solomon Islands,” he said.
The programme has already enabled Solomon Islands officials to study in Japanese universities.
The second agreement provides 168 million Japanese Yen for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to procure modern malaria diagnosis equipment.
Minister Kenilorea said malaria remains a major public health challenge, with cases increasing in remote and rural communities.
“Modern diagnostic equipment will improve the accuracy and speed of case detection, enabling health workers to provide timely treatment and strengthening disease surveillance nationwide,” he said.
Mr Horii said the programme is an urgent response to the recent sharp rise in malaria cases.
“We strongly hope that this programme will enable the early detection and treatment of malaria, thereby reducing the risk of severe symptoms and death,” he said.
Both ministers reaffirmed the strength of Solomon Islands–Japan relations, which mark more than 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1978.
“Today’s signing reaffirms the enduring partnership between Japan and Solomon Islands, and our shared commitment to the well-being of the people of Solomon Islands,” Minister Kenilorea said.
Mr Horii noted that Japan will host the 11th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting [PALM 11] in Yokohama next summer.
“We look forward to further strengthening our ties with Pacific Island countries, including Solomon Islands, through discussions on common issues such as climate change and the environment,” he said.
Minister Kenilorea acknowledged the cooperation between the Solomon Islands Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and JICA for making the agreements possible.
PRESS RELEASE
