Manasseh Sogavare

In 2013, the General Assembly voted for a resolution sponsored by Solomon Islands to re-inscribe the territory on the UN decolonisation list but Paris has all but ignored the decision.

France has said it won't buy into the UN decolonisation process and also ruled out holding an immediate independence referendum as requested by the territorial assembly.

Speaking at the UN in New York, Sogavare has urged France to change.

Sogavare made the call in New York Thursday in his address at the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“All states have a legal duty and moral responsibility to uphold, respect and promote human rights and where necessary take preventive, protective and punitive measures against human rights abuses or violations in accordance with the UN Charter and applicable international laws,” Sogavare said.

 The leaders discussed the issue of Climate Change at the margins of the 70th UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the meeting concluded with a resolution by the Pacific SIDS Leaders to speak with one firm voice on climate change as agreed upon in the Suva Declaration on Climate Change.

The Suva Declaration emanated from the recent Pacific Islands Development Forum held in Suva, Fiji.

Last Monday Minister Bartholomew Parapolo and his PS Vaeno Vigulu visited Asia Pacific Investment Development Ltd’s (APID) agro forestry on Rennell Island without informing the Premier and his executive.

This has led to Premier Singamoana questioning the visit because there was no courtesy call made to his office.

He said, as the head of the provincial government, he was embarrassed and humiliated because no communication was made to his office of the visit. Also, there was no courtesy to call at his office at Tigoa provincial headquarter.

Announcing these changes, the Prime Minister said, “With the proposed Forestry Reforms currently being undertaken by the DCC Government and due to the significance this sector has on the national economy, we want to ensure that any progress made to effectively regulate the industry, maximise returns and improve sustainability, is not compromised by personal conflict of interests which might complicate the process.”

“For this reason the Hon Bodo Detkke will now be mandated with the important task of driving this government’s priority sector as the new Minister for Tourism”

Indicative of the Solomon Islands government’s drive to see tourism become a major economic contributor within the next five years, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has officially launched a key National Tourism Development Strategy (SINTDS).