The Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea (PNG) His Excellency William McDonald Soaki joined a Solomon Islands Government delegation to attend the 2025 Papua New Guinea Petroleum and Energy Conference, held in Port Moresby from 8–9 October 2025.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Dr. Chris Vehe.
Also in attendance was a delegation from South Pacific Oil Limited (SPOL) accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) Mr. Michael Wate.
The Solomon Islands was the only Pacific Island country represented at the two-day event, signifying the nation’s growing engagement in regional energy cooperation and its commitment to learning from Papua New Guinea’s experience and achievements in the petroleum and energy sectors.
The conference was officially opened by the Hon. Jimmy Maladina, Minister for Petroleum of Papua New Guinea, and attended by the Hon. Peter Isoaimo, Minister for Energy, and the Hon. William Duma, Minister for State Enterprises.
Hosted by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), the PNG Petroleum and Energy Conference is the country’s premier annual forum for the energy sector, providing an important platform for dialogue among government leaders, policy makers, industry experts, and investors on current developments and opportunities within the petroleum, gas, and renewable energy industries.
This year’s conference featured presentations and discussions on power generation, renewable energy, landowner participation, and evolving policy frameworks.
Participants included both domestic and international representatives from government, business, and investment sectors, underscoring the growing regional and global interest in Papua New Guinea’s energy landscape.
His Excellency High Commissioner Soaki commended the Ministry’s participation, describing the conference as a valuable platform for strengthening the Solomon Islands’ understanding of regional energy dynamics and fostering cooperation with key partners.
“The Solomon Islands has much to learn from Papua New Guinea’s advancements in the petroleum and energy sectors,” His Excellency stated.
“I encourage our officials to continue engaging with regional stakeholders and to explore opportunities for collaboration that align with the Solomon Islands’ national energy objectives.”
The participation of the Solomon Islands delegation underscores the Government’s commitment to promoting sustainable energy development, advancing strategic partnerships, and enhancing regional collaboration as part of its broader vision for long-term economic growth and national development.
–MFAET PRESS
