BY CHRIS ALEX
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele delivered a heartfelt and forward-looking message during the 47th Solomon Islands Independence Anniversary Thanksgiving Service held on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at St Barnabas Cathedral.
He urged citizens to embrace unity and stability as the pillars of national transformation and prosperity.
In his address, Prime Minister Manele reflected on the nation’s journey since gaining independence in 1978, emphasizing gratitude for the blessings, peace and resilience that have sustained Solomon Islands through decades of change and challenge.
“This afternoon we come together in fellowship to offer thanks for the never-ending blessing and grace upon us for the past 47 years as a nation
“We give thanks for the peace and prosperity we have experienced, for the unity and strength that carried us through tough times and for the opportunities to grow and thrive as one people and one nation, said Manele.
He highlighted two core principles shaping the nation’s future: the power of a united people and the importance of stability and effective governance.
“These two factors are mutually reinforcing and cannot be separated. They must guide us as we honour and learn from our past and focus on building a peaceful and prosperous future,” he noted.
The theme for this year’s Independence Anniversary “Unity and Stability for Transformation and Prosperity” was central to the Prime Minister’s message.
He clarified that unity is not about uniformity but about “the spirit of iumi together with our diversity.” Stability, he added, is about resilience and innovation in the face of uncertainty.
“Our journey over the past 47 years has not been easy,” Manele admitted. “Our unity and stability have been tested, but by the grace of God and support from our partners, we have prevailed as a nation.”
He called on all Solomon Islanders to recommit themselves to building strong relationships at every level from families and communities to institutions and international partnerships. “Fostering unity and stability must include hearing from diverse voices, engaging in open dialogue and creating space for all perspectives,” he said.
To the nation’s leaders, the Prime Minister issued a strong call to action: “Unite our people, strengthen our institutions and focus on sustainable development outcomes for all.”
He concluded his remarks with a message of hope and solidarity: “Let us stand together as one people, embrace our diversity and strive toward the vision in our National Anthem a Solomon Islands of joy, peace, progress, and prosperity.”
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