AGP Executive Report

Earthquake Monitoring: A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Solomon Islands at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to Germany’s GFZ research centre. Maritime Safety: More than 70 passengers remain aboard a disabled ferry in Temotu waters; rescue aircraft have dropped food, medical supplies and communications equipment. Agricultural Research: The Dodo Creek rice trial has reached its first harvest, giving researchers a chance to assess whether rice can be grown locally and support food security. Government Technology: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says work has begun on exploring an AI system to help the Treasury use real-time data for decision-making. Disaster Readiness: World Vision supplied printing equipment to Makira’s disaster office and provincial women’s council to speed up emergency information and reporting. WWII Mapping: Researchers are using drone-mounted LiDAR and AI to map remnants of the 1943 Battle of Munda Point, offering new ways to investigate the Solomon Islands’ wartime history.

Climate Science: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says Solomon Islands communities are already facing sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion and damaged reefs, and warns the world is on track to pass the 1.5°C warming limit. Public Health: WHO warns that vaccine gaps across the Western Pacific are raising outbreak risks; three-dose coverage for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis fell to 89% in 2025, from 94% in 2019. Research and Technology: Researchers are using drone-mounted LiDAR, AI and field archaeology to map remnants of the 1943 Battle of Munda in New Georgia, potentially revealing new details of the overlooked campaign. Food Security: A rice trial at Dodo Creek has reached its first harvest. Researchers will use the results to assess whether local rice production can be expanded. Digital Government: The government is exploring an AI system to help Treasury officials make decisions using real-time financial data.

Vaccination: WHO warns that gaps in routine immunisation across the Western Pacific are raising outbreak risks; nearly 1.7 million babies missed their first vaccine dose in 2025. Heritage Technology: Researchers are using drone-mounted LiDAR and AI to map wartime remains at Munda Point, New Georgia, helping uncover details of a little-known 1943 battle. Health Services: Honiara’s Naha centre has begun round-the-clock birthing and primary care, after treating more than 8,400 people in its first six weeks. Agricultural Research: The Dodo Creek rice trial has reached its first harvest, with data from the project intended to guide future rice growing and food security efforts. Digital Government: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says work is under way to explore AI tools for Treasury management and faster decisions using real-time data.

Health Services: Honiara’s Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has moved to 24-hour care, six weeks after opening. More than 8,400 people have visited the $250 million facility. Food Science: The Dodo Creek rice trial has produced its first harvest, giving researchers a chance to assess whether local rice production can support food security and rural jobs. Disaster Readiness: World Vision has supplied Makira’s disaster office and provincial women’s council with printing equipment to speed up emergency reporting and distribute safety information. Climate: Solomon Islands pledged $1.1 million to a Pacific-led resilience fund, while Prime Minister Matthew Wale warned that rising seas and extreme weather are already damaging homes, food gardens and reefs. Digital Government: The government is exploring an AI system to help the Treasury make decisions using real-time financial data.

Health Services: Honiara’s Naha Health Centre has moved to 24-hour birthing and primary care, six weeks after opening. More than 8,400 people have already visited the facility. Agricultural Research: The Dodo Creek rice trial has reached its first harvest. Researchers will test yields and grain quality to assess whether local varieties could support future production and food security. Mineral Mapping: Makira/Ulawa is working with Solomon Islands’ mines ministry and researchers from Curtin University and China’s Laoshan National Laboratory to map mineral deposits, updating surveys dating back to the colonial era. Digital Government: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says work has begun on exploring an AI system to help the Treasury use real-time financial data for management decisions. Disaster Readiness: World Vision has supplied printing equipment to Makira’s disaster office and provincial women’s council to speed up reporting and distribution of preparedness information.

Climate Science: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says climate change is already damaging Solomon Islands communities, with seawater entering food gardens, reefs degrading and Cyclone Malia causing more than US$30 million in damage. He is urging COP31 leaders to deliver emissions cuts and climate finance. Disaster Readiness: World Vision has supplied printing equipment to Makira’s disaster office and Provincial Council of Women, helping them share safety information and coordinate responses. Agricultural Research: A rice trial at Dodo Creek has reached its first harvest, testing whether local production can support food security. Health Technology: SIPPA is launching a free mobile clinic offering confidential HIV and syphilis testing in Honiara three nights a week. Digital Government: The government is exploring an AI system to help Treasury officials make decisions using real-time financial data. Resource Mapping: Makira officials and researchers are collecting rock samples to update mineral data and guide further geological mapping.

Disaster Readiness: World Vision has supplied printing equipment to Makira’s disaster office and provincial women’s council, helping frontline teams share safety and climate updates faster. Food Science: A rice trial at Dodo Creek has reached its first harvest, testing whether rice varieties can grow successfully in Solomon Islands. Digital Government: The government is exploring an AI system to help Treasury make decisions using real-time data. Health Access: SIPPA plans to begin free, confidential mobile HIV and syphilis testing in Honiara three nights a week. Science and Technology Education: SINU’s vice chancellor urged responsible AI use and more women in science and technology; women made up eight of 48 recent science and technology graduates. Aviation Services: A new complex at Honiara airport brings aviation, customs and border agencies together to improve coordination and services.

Disaster Readiness: World Vision has provided printing and photocopying equipment to Makira’s disaster office and provincial women’s council, helping frontline teams share safety information and coordinate during emergencies. Food Research: A rice trial at Dodo Creek has reached its first harvest. Researchers will assess yields and grain quality to see whether the varieties can grow successfully in Solomon Islands. Health Technology: SIPPA is preparing a mobile clinic offering free, confidential HIV and syphilis testing three nights a week in Honiara, bringing screening into communities. Digital Government: The Government is exploring an AI system to help the Treasury use financial data for faster management decisions. Climate Science: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says COP31 must deliver real action, as Pacific communities face worsening sea-level rise and extreme weather.

Food Security: The Dodo Creek rice trial has reached its first harvest, giving researchers a chance to assess whether rice can be grown locally and support food security. Climate: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says COP31 must deliver real emissions cuts and climate finance, warning that rising seas are already threatening Solomon Islands communities. Government AI: The government is exploring an AI system to help Treasury managers make decisions using real-time data. Mineral Research: Makira Ulawa is working with national and international experts to map local mineral deposits, updating surveys dating back to the pre-independence era. Responsible Technology: SINU Vice Chancellor Transform Aqorau urged people to use AI thoughtfully, protect privacy and consider practical benefits for Solomon Islands. Climate Adaptation: Western Province seaweed farmers say changing weather, heavy rain and low tides are disrupting harvests and incomes, underscoring the need to adapt.

Education Reform: World Teachers’ Day coverage in Solomon Islands is pushing beyond praise. Western Province Assembly Speaker Ramrakha Aquila Talasasa says teachers need real support—training, learning resources, better conditions and professional freedom—not just ceremonies. Policy Update: At the national event in Guadalcanal, Education Minister Stephen Kumi says reforms are underway, including a new teacher salary and classification structure, plus plans for housing and annual leave arrangements by 2027. Health Access: SIPPA is set to launch a free, confidential mobile clinic in Honiara offering HIV and syphilis screening three nights a week, with locations kept private for safety. Climate Diplomacy: PM Matthew Wale is calling for stronger political accountability from major emitters ahead of COP31, urging research into historical emissions and warning the Pacific is being left to absorb the costs. AI & Governance: Solomon Islands Government is exploring an AI management system for the Treasury, while SINU is urging responsible AI use in education and highlighting gender gaps in science and TVET graduates. Infrastructure: Honiara’s new Communication and Aviation Complex at the airport has been opened under a World Bank-backed project, aiming to bring agencies under one roof.

AI & Governance: Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale says the government is exploring an AI management system for the Treasury to support faster, real-time decisions, while SINU Vice Chancellor Dr Transform Aqorau urges responsible AI use in education and warns users to protect privacy and trust. Climate Accountability: Wale also calls on major greenhouse gas emitters to take stronger political action, proposing research into historical and current emissions to strengthen “polluter-pays” accountability ahead of COP31. Pacific 1.5°C Push: Pacific leaders in Fiji and Tuvalu are rallying to keep 1.5°C within reach, using Tuvalu’s sea-level rise as frontline proof. Honiara Airport Upgrade: The Ministry of Communication and Aviation has opened a new Aviation Complex at Honiara International Airport, bringing key agencies under one roof. Health Access: Honiara’s Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre moves to full 24/7 operations from 6 October. Local Tech & Skills: SINU highlights growing graduate numbers (with women making up 63% overall) and China-trained SINU staff on governance and digital governance. Food & Weather Stress: El Niño impacts seaweed farming, with rain and extended low tides disrupting drying and sales.

Climate Accountability & 1.5°C Push: Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale met UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed at Pre-COP31 in Fiji, urging major greenhouse gas emitters to face stronger political action and accountability, including research into historical emissions and wider use of vulnerability tools to unlock climate finance. Pacific Climate Diplomacy: Pacific leaders also met ahead of COP31 to keep warming as close as 1.5°C as possible, with Tuvalu’s sea-level rise used as a stark on-the-ground warning. Seaweed Sector Under El Niño: In Western Province, seaweed farmers say El Niño-driven rain, shifting tides and past cyclone damage are slowing drying and sales, threatening household income. Honiara Airport Upgrade: The Ministry of Communication and Aviation opened a new US$5.77m Communication and Aviation Complex at Honiara International Airport to bring key agencies under one roof and cut reliance on rentals. AI in Solomon Islands Governance: Government is exploring an AI management system for the Treasury to support real-time decision-making, while SINU leaders stress responsible AI use and privacy. Education Reforms: World Teachers’ Day events highlighted improved teacher salary structures and plans for housing and leave arrangements. Health Access: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre moves to 24/7 operations from 6 October. Local Tech & Skills: Australia-backed training will upskill hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders in mobile phone repair, supporting inclusive employment.

Aviation & Digital Services: Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Communication and Aviation has opened and handed over the new US$5.77m Communication and Aviation Complex at Honiara International Airport, bringing MCA, CAASI and Customs/Immigration/Quarantine under one roof to improve coordination. Climate Diplomacy: Ahead of COP31, Pacific leaders in Fiji and Tuvalu are pushing to keep warming near 1.5°C, pointing to Tuvalu’s sea-level rise and calling for stronger Pacific influence in global climate decisions. AI in Government: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says the government is exploring an AI management system for the national Treasury to support real-time decision-making, while SINU’s leadership urges responsible AI use in education. Education & Skills: SINU graduation highlights women’s strong presence overall (63% of graduates) but low numbers in Science and TVET; meanwhile World Teachers’ Day marks reforms to improve teacher salaries, housing and leave. Health Access: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre expands to 24/7 operations from 6 October, including continuous low-risk maternity services. Agriculture Research: MALD’s rice trial of MAL 1 and MAL 2 enters final field stages ahead of harvest, with yield and quality tests planned. Local Tech & Training: An Australian-backed program trains hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders in mobile phone repair, aiming to boost inclusive employment.

Climate Diplomacy: Ahead of COP31 (Oct 5–8), Pacific leaders in Fiji and Tuvalu pushed a united push for stronger global climate action, with Solomon Islands’ environment minister Wayne Ghemu saying the region will “hold the pen” on ambition. Sea-Level Reality Check: Prime Minister Matthew Wale is visiting Tuvalu to show high-tide impacts of sea-level rise firsthand, as leaders argue Pacific voices must sit at the centre of climate decisions. AI in Government: PM Wale says the government has started exploring an AI management system for the national Treasury to support real-time decision-making on live data, while warning about rogue AI agents. SINU Capacity Building: Two SINU staff returned from a China training on governance, risk management, digital governance and responsible use of emerging technologies including AI. Education & Tech Skills: SINU graduation highlighted responsible AI use and a gender gap in Science/Tech/TVET; separately, Australia-backed phone repair training will upskill 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders. Health Services Upgrade: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre moves to 24/7 operations from 6 October, expanding continuous outpatient and low-risk delivery services. Agriculture Research: MALD’s rice trial (MAL 1 and MAL 2) is in final field stages ahead of harvest, aiming to test yields and local suitability. Climate Impacts on Livelihoods: El Niño-linked rain and shifting tides are disrupting seaweed farming in Western Province, compounding earlier cyclone damage.

AI & Education: SINU Vice Chancellor Transform Aqorau urged responsible AI use in education, warning students to learn tools’ limits, protect privacy, and boost women’s participation in science, tech and trades. Gender in STEM: SINU’s 2026 graduation showed women made up about 63% overall, but only 8 of 48 Science & Technology graduates were women, with all TVET graduates men. Climate pressure on livelihoods: In Western Province, El Niño-driven rain and shifting tides are disrupting seaweed farming, compounding damage from Tropical Cyclone Maila. Climate diplomacy: Pacific leaders in Fiji and Tuvalu are pushing COP31 priorities, including keeping 1.5°C within reach, while Tuvalu’s sea-level rise is used as “frontline evidence” for action. Health access upgrade: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre moves to 24/7 operations from 6 October, expanding outpatient and low-risk delivery services. Mining data for Makira: Makira Ulawa Province is mapping minerals with MMERE, Curtin University and a Chinese lab, using river rock samples to update older findings. Infrastructure & tech services: MCA opened a new US$5.77m aviation complex, and SINPF urged responsible long-term investment to support the economy.

Climate & Food Security: El Niño is already disrupting Solomon Islands seaweed farming in Western Province, with nonstop rain delaying drying, packaging and sales, on top of earlier damage from Tropical Cyclone Maila. Education Reform: World Teachers’ Day in Guadalcanal and Honiara highlighted government moves to improve teacher pay and conditions, including a new salary and classification structure and plans for housing and leave arrangements. AI & Skills: SINU Vice Chancellor Transform Aqorau urged responsible AI use in education and called for more women in science, technology and trades, pointing to gender gaps in Science & Technology and TVET graduates. Agriculture Research: MALD’s rice trial of varieties MAL 1 and MAL 2 is in its final field stage ahead of harvest, aiming to test yields and quality for local farming. Health Services: Honiara’s Naha Birthing & Urban Health Centre will expand to 24/7 operations from 6 October, including continuous outpatient and low-risk delivery services. Infrastructure & Tech: The Ministry of Communication and Aviation opened a new US$5.77m aviation complex, bringing agencies including CAASI and a digital transformation unit under one roof. Inclusive Tech Training: Australia-backed training with Smart Technology will equip 10 hearing-impaired Solomon Islanders with mobile phone repair skills. Global Policy: PM Matthew Wale told the UN that AI benefits must be shared by all, and pushed for stronger climate adaptation and resilience finance for small island states.