BY NED GAGAHE
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has voiced strong support for the principles and values outlined in the statutes of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (PIPA), describing them as noble and aligned with the shared aspirations of Pacific Island nations.
PM Manele highlighted this when addressing the motion moved by Member of Parliament (MP) for East Are’are and Chair of Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee Peter Kenilorea Jnr on August 15, 2025 last Friday.
The motion asked Parliament to authorise the Speaker of the National Parliament to sign the Statutes of PIPA, presented as Parliament Paper number 14 of 2025.
Speaking in Parliament PM Manele said the statute’s preamble captures the vision of a “blue, peaceful, resilient and prosperous Pacific,” emphasizing the region’s commitment to human rights, democratic values, climate action, ocean protection, and sustainable development.
“These are principles and values that I believe both sides of the House subscribe to and all members of the Pacific family continue to advocate,” the Prime Minister said.
He highlighted the significance of addressing climate change and ocean degradation, noting that small island nations like the Solomon Islands are particularly vulnerable.
“Our very survival is tied to the health of our oceans and ecosystems, and these are issues that require collective regional responses,” Mr Manele said.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged that the Assembly provides a platform for stronger inter-parliamentary dialogue and collaboration, helping Pacific legislatures work together to advance regional priorities.
Mr Manele’s remarks underscores Solomon Islands’ commitment to regional cooperation and its readiness to support initiatives that strengthen governance, resilience, and sustainability across the Pacific.
The motion, moved by the MP for East Are’are and Chairman of Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, Peter Kenilorea Jr. carries both symbolic and substantive weight, highlighting the nation’s commitment to regionalism and parliamentary diplomacy.
Chairman Kenilorea Jr. said the draft statutes, tabled as National Parliament Paper No. 14, are the result of extensive work by the Pacific Island Parliamentary Group (PIPG) and a technical committee that included the Speaker.
“By authorising the Speaker to sign these statutes, we affirm our commitment to regionalism and also to parliamentary diplomacy and to the values that unite us as parliamentarians in this large ocean, the Blue Continent,” he said.
The statutes represent a new chapter for Pacific Islands parliamentary cooperation, providing a framework for inter-parliamentary dialogue, capacity building, and joint initiatives among national and sub-national legislatures across the region.
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