Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has defended his recent international engagements, during which he participated in three major forums from 4 to 25 June 2025.
These included the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France; the OPEC Fund Development Forum in Vienna, Austria; and the 23rd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ Meeting in Suva, Fiji.
In addition to attending these forums, PM Manele held several high-level bilateral meetings.
While in Nice, he met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith.
In Vienna, he held bilateral meetings with the Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Mr. Waleed S. Al-Bahar, and representatives from the Saudi Fund for Development.
In Suva, he held talks with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Jotham Napat, and Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka.
Speaking to the media in Honiara on Friday, 27 June 2025, PM Manele said these engagements were strategic and purposeful.
He emphasized that they were guided by clear objectives to ensure Solomon Islands remains visible, connected, and influential in both global and regional forums.
“While domestic challenges remain, positioning ourselves internationally is essential to attracting the partnerships, investments, and support needed to achieve our development goals,” he said.
“As always, our work continues at home. I commend the Deputy Prime Minister for his leadership during my absence and acknowledge the ongoing efforts of Cabinet and all public servants,” he added.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
