BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A question that arose with the successful completion of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIF) in Honiara was: Who and how will rural communities in the Solomon Islands benefit?

Ended successfully in Honiara on Friday, September 12, 2025 the weeklong event brought together regional leaders to discuss pressing issues and opportunities on peace, security and economic development in the region under the theme “Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent”.

Responding to the question during the Troika press conference on Friday Forum Chair Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said that there is a lot in the forum agenda that directly links and impacts the lives of people in rural areas.

“Oceans, fisheries. In the Pacific, including all people in the rural areas, rely on the oceans, rely on the seas, rely on the fisheries,” PM Manele said.

He said that a healthy ocean and a healthy marine environment are critical in terms of fishing for people in the village.

He also said that one of the agendas discussed during the leaders’ event is Unexploded Ordnance (UXO).

“Similarly, we talk about UXOs. Over the years, UXOs have been a major impediment to the development of Solomon Islands, and several people have lost their lives. So, these are the real issues that we have in the country,” he said.

He said that it is important that UXOs are dealt with effectively to not remain as an obstacle to development.

“We also discuss health and education issues. And then these are issues that directly impact the sources, the life of all people in the region, including Solomon Islands and rural parts of Solomon Islands,” Manele said.

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