Solomon Islands and Australia have strengthened their strategic partnership following high-level bilateral talks between Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. The discussions highlighted renewed momentum in bilateral relations, with both governments committing to enhanced cooperation across security, infra...

President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Masato Kanda, has described the Tina River Hydropower Project as a transformational initiative following his visit to the site on 16 February 2026. Speaking during the visit, President Kanda said the project, once completed, will provide clean and reliable electricity to Honiara, supplying more than two-th...

Weir, a global leader in mining technology, has successfully installed China’s largest mill circuit slurry pump. The order includes six WARMAN® MCR® 650 pumps and two WARMAN® MCR® 750 pumps. The site, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), sits 5,300 metres above sea level. The thin air and freezing temperatures create a complex operating enviro...

The Government of New Caledonia has welcomed the official launch of the “Tamtam” submarine fibre optic cable, a 411-kilometre system connecting Port-Vila in Vanuatu to Lifou in the Loyauté Islands province of New Caledonia. The launch ceremony took place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with representatives from the Asian Bank of Development and Prima Ltd...

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has released the 2025 Cook Islands National Bathymetry Grid, marking a significant step forward in the country’s marine data capability and ocean management framework. Now available through SBMA’s Seabed Data Repository, the new national grid integrates historic and recent survey data to deliver the most comprehensi...

The Minister for Finance, Esrom Immanuel, has welcomed the European Union’s decision to remove Fiji from its list of non‑cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, calling it a strong endorsement of the Coalition Government’s reform agenda. The move reflects Fiji’s sustained commitment to transparency, good governance, and full alignment with internat...

A joint team from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) visited the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP) this week as part of their regular monitoring programme. The delegation was accompanied by the Project Office’s Environment and Social (E&S) team. The mission focused on the Dam Site and Powerhouse Site, reviewing cons...

The Government of New Caledonia has announced that Air Calédonie will transfer its operations from Magenta Airport to La Tontouta International Airport on 2 March 2026, following extensive consultation with stakeholders. The move aims to strengthen the airline’s long-term viability and optimise the territory’s aviation infrastructure.   Strategic Re...

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele today welcomed the first-ever Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Solomon Islands, Anthony Gill, during a courtesy visit at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Gill briefed the Prime Minister on preparations for the official opening of ADB’s Solomon Islands office next Tuesday, which will be...

Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands have formally deposited their instruments of ratification for the Agreement Establishing the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF Treaty), advancing efforts to operationalise the Blue Pacific region’s first Pacific-led, member-owned and managed, and people-centred climate and disaster resilience financing institution. On 13 F...

The Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Franklyn Derek Wasi, delivered statements on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government at the Forty-Ninth Session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). He participated in two high-level Leaders’ Dialogues focusing on financing rural development and inv...

Pacific Lime and Cement Limited has entered into a long-term quicklime offtake agreement with Newmont Corporation, the world’s leading gold producer, to supply its Papua New Guinea operations from PLC’s Central Lime Project in Central Province. Under the agreement, Newmont becomes a cornerstone customer, with contracted volumes representing around one-...

The Sepik Development Project (SDP) is a nation-building initiative in Papua New Guinea, delivering transformative infrastructure, renewable power, and essential services to remote communities while responsibly developing one of the world’s largest gold and copper deposits. “Utilising world-leading engineering and renewable-powered design, the project ...

PNG Air continues to strengthen its operations and network with the arrival of its fourth ATR aircraft in six months, part of the airline’s ongoing fleet renewal programme, increasing capacity to meet growing demand across the country. The new aircraft will maximise the expanded schedule and enhance operational reliability as PNG Air continues to serve...

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) recently held community consultations in Aitutaki to provide updates on developments in the seabed minerals sector and to hear directly from local communities. The consultations form part of SBMA’s ongoing commitment to transparent, community-led engagement, as the Cook Islands remains in an exploration-on...

 Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has reaffirmed the strong and enduring partnership between Solomon Islands and New Zealand while delivering remarks at the Waitangi Day Reception hosted by the New Zealand High Commission on 5 February. Addressing distinguished guests, members of the diplomatic corps, senior government officials and membe...