Members of the Solomon Islands Climate Action Network (SICAN) recently endorsed a set of new organisational and governance policies to strengthen and enable their work, supported through funding from the Australian Government.  

The policies for financial and assessment management, fraud and corruption controls and human resources ensure organisational transparency and good governance, helping SICAN to deliver on its mission to raise the voices of Solomon Islands people on climate change and build a resilient Solomon Islands community.

Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said SICAN plays an important role in helping Solomon Islands combat the impacts of climate change.

“Australia is committed to supporting local climate change action. It’s encouraging to see inclusive leadership and collaboration driving climate resilience in Solomon Islands.”

Mr Rodrick Holness, SICAN Coordinator, thanked Australia for their ongoing support, and said the new policies “build a strong framework for accountability, safeguarding, and operational excellence that will guide SICAN’s future”.  

This builds on support provided by Australia for SICAN’s participation in the annual United Nations climate change negotiations – COP29 – which was held last November in Azerbaijan. It is important Solomon Islander voices are well represented on the world stage so that climate solutions work for local communities, in Solomon Islands and across the Pacific.

Australia and Pacific Island countries are jointly bidding to host COP31 next year. If the bid is successful, this will be the first time the annual climate change negotiations are held in the Pacific region – bringing a Pacific voice and necessary attention to the unique impacts of climate change being experienced in the region.

– AHC