Development Services Exchange

14/10/2026

Dick Stanley Pirione is new Ombudsman

14/10/2026

Last week, DSE General Secretary had the privilege of meeting, for the first time, members(56) of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) from across the globe who serve on their respective countries’ Multi-Stakeholder Groups (MSGs) at the EITI Global Convention in Brussels, Belgium.

As a member of the Solomon Islands EITI MSG, representing Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the experience was both inspiring and enlightening. It was an opportunity to listen to the experiences of fellow MSG members, learn from best practices, and understand how different countries are working to ensure that their governments, Indigenous Peoples and resource owners benefit fairly from their natural resources.

Sessions of interest include how governments, extractive industries—including mining, oil and gas—and civil society organisations work together with local communities to promote transparency, accountability, and equitable benefits from resource extraction. There are challenges however lessons learnt by each country shared during peer learning sessions gave insights of what are best practices and what can be done together differently and innovatively to overcome the challenges.

During the event, the EITI Secretariat formally recognised countries that are meeting the EITI Standard, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources.

Solomon Islands rejoined the EITI only last month, marking an important step towards strengthening transparency and accountability in our extractive sector.

Now is the time for action. With consultations on the Minerals Bill currently underway in Solomon Islands, we have an important opportunity to ensure that transparency and accountability are embedded in our laws. DSE strongly believe that the Bill should include provisions requiring extractive industries to adhere to EITI principles and standards, including mandatory annual reporting on their operations, revenues, payments, and other relevant information.

Such provisions would help ensure that our natural resources are managed responsibly, that communities and resource owners are better informed, and that the benefits of extraction are shared more fairly with the people of Solomon Islands.

It is not too late to get this right. As we review and shape our minerals legislation, let us seize this opportunity to strengthen transparency, promote accountability, and ensure that the voices and interests of our communities, Indigenous Peoples, and resource owners are protected.

Our natural resources belong to our people. They deserve transparency, accountability, and a fair share of the benefits. For more information about the countries reports and updates you can access at https:EITI.org/documents. Here is a example of a report by a EITI member country and most reports are accessed on line. https://eiti.org/documents/burkina.faso-2024-eiti- report. Solomon Islands report is scheduled for 2028. Thanks to EITI Solomon Islands through the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with Ministry of Energy and Mines with support from United Kingdom who and UNDP who made it possible for DSE to attend this important convention.

14/10/2026

Get ready for disasters. Use the 'UmiRedi' newly launched app which has all information readily available.

𝗨𝗺𝗶𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗶 𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS — 13 October 2026 — The Government, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), has officially launched the UmiRedi mobile application to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve access to climate information across Solomon Islands.

The launch took place at the Heritage Park Hotel Yesterday, 12 October 2026, marking an important step in the country’s efforts to use digital technology to improve disaster readiness and community resilience.

The UmiRedi application, now available on Google Play, is designed as a national one-stop platform providing access to climate information, disaster alerts, early warnings, preparedness resources and recovery reporting.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Environment Wayne Osopo Ghemu said the initiative marked an important milestone in the country’s efforts to build a safer, more resilient and digitally connected future.

“Today, we are not simply launching a digital platform. We are launching a national commitment to preparedness,” Mr Ghemu said.

The Minister said UmiRedi would bring climate and disaster information together in one accessible platform for communities, schools, government agencies and emergency responders.

He added that the application would help strengthen coordination, improve decision-making and ensure that people receive information from a trusted source.

Minister Ghemu encouraged citizens, churches, schools, businesses, community organisations and government institutions to embrace the application and incorporate it into their disaster preparedness efforts.

The launch of UmiRedi represents a further step towards improving access to timely and relevant information, enabling Solomon Islanders to better prepare for disasters and make informed decisions before hazards escalate into emergencies.

The public is encouraged to download the UmiRedi application from Google Play to access climate information, disaster alerts and early warnings.

ENDS///

Photo caption: MECDM Minister, Hon. Wayne Ghemu (Centre), MECDM Permanent Secretary David Hiba Hiriasia, Tory Clawson Country Director Save the Children Solomon Islands, Stakeholders and Donor Partners, Private Sector representatives and other line ministries pose for a group photo after the launching at Heritage Park Hotel.

13/10/2026

important message to CBOs and NGOs interested in the ABC - AI digital training. please note our second training session is at 5pm today. topic is DATA PRIVACY. Here is the zoom link. https://zoom.us/j/93042232434?pwd=pPZNLas656Ns2La7TDAVRJksY0eWf5.1. Thanks to the Latvia government for making it possible for us to attend. Sessions will continue until first week of December.

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

29/09/2026

Last year DSE did a submission on behalf of 12 other NGOs under the 4th UPR cycle on pressing issues affecting our country which includes education, Human Rights institution, UNDRIP, child marriage, Temporary Special Measures(TSM), climate change related issues etc. We acknowledge the government for responding to the issues and we call on the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide a short to medium plan on how it will pursue it's plan with the help of other stakeholders including NGOs. We will continue to monitor the implementation of the UPR recommendations.

𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬’ 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐏𝐑 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬

The United Nations Human Rights Council, during its 63rd Session in Geneva, Switzerland, has adopted the outcomes of Solomon Islands’ Fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Solomon Islands recalled its participation in the 52nd Session of the UPR Working Group on 11 May 2026, during which it presented its national report and engaged in an interactive dialogue with Member States. Solomon Islands received a total of 181 recommendations.

The Solomon Islands delegation reaffirmed that human rights are guaranteed under the Constitution and national legislation and reiterated the Government’s commitment to the principles of universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights.

The delegation expressed appreciation to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Troika comprising China, Malawi and Switzerland, the Commonwealth Small States Office and all participating Member States for their support throughout the review process.

Solomon Islands also underscored its continued support for the UPR as a cooperative, transparent and constructive mechanism that promotes accountability, dialogue and multilateralism.

Following consideration of the recommendations received, Solomon Islands supported 140 recommendations and noted 41 recommendations.

In presenting developments since the review, the Solomon Islands delegation highlighted the country’s recent accession to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

The delegation stated that this demonstrated the Government’s commitment to addressing transnational organised crime, including human trafficking, and called for continued international cooperation and capacity-building support.

The delegation also reiterated that the establishment of a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles remains a national priority. It indicated that efforts would be accelerated towards establishing an independent and fully functional institution before the next review cycle.

Solomon Islands further emphasised that its national development agenda is closely aligned with its human rights commitments.

Key priorities include universal free education, the development of energy, telecommunications and other critical infrastructure, constitutional and governance reforms, reforms in the mining sector, modernisation of financial institutions, climate change mitigation and resilience, and the promotion of disability inclusion.

These efforts form part of a broader commitment to integrating human rights into sustainable development and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Regarding the 41 recommendations that were noted, the delegation stressed that this should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment to human rights.

As a least developed country and small island developing State, Solomon Islands emphasised the importance of ensuring that adequate resources and implementation capacity are available before assuming additional international obligations.

The delegation noted that further consultations with relevant authorities and stakeholders would be required and called on international partners to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support.

In concluding, the Solomon Islands delegation reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fulfilling its human rights obligations and advancing the welfare, dignity and rights of all Solomon Islanders.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade acknowledges and extends its appreciation to the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, all relevant government ministries and agencies, and Solomon Islands’ regional and international partners for their tireless work, cooperation and support towards the preparation and presentation of the report.

---𝐌𝐅𝐀𝐄𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄

𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆́ 𝒅'𝑨𝒇𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒏 𝑰𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒂, 𝑴𝒓. 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏 𝑲𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒇𝒐𝒏𝒐 𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔.

29/09/2026

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