Solomon Islands

They are also in support of full membership of ULMWP to the Melanesian Spearhead Group .

The MSG members said they are committed to advocating for West Papua and strongly adhere to the principles that are at the core of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, which is the ‘Political aspirations of self- determination of our Melanesian people.’

There is recognition that such a commitment will require bold and ethical leadership and a clear understanding of our Melanesian values.

RNZI report the Solomon Islands Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace which has just completed a week of national reconciliation ceremonies for Solomon Islands own ethnic crisis in 1998, now want to pursue reconciliation with PNG and Bougainville.

Its National Peace Advisor Father John Patteson Ngalihesi said resolving past differences is the only path to true peace and security in the border regions.

This follows the withdrawal of all services operated and supplied by Solomon Airlines effective June 7, 2016 until further notice.

Air Niugini’s flight PX082 from Port Moresby to Honiara and Port Vila on Tuesday has been rerouted to operate from Port Moresby to Port Vila direct.

Flights between Port Moresby and Nadi, Fiji will be nonstop and not via Honiara until further notice.

Air Niugini is waiving rebooking and cancellation fees for disrupted Honiara passengers.

During their meeting, Prime Minister Sogavare expressed appreciation on behalf of the government and people of Solomon Islands to the Government and people of Vanuatu for backing Solomon Islands bid to host the 2023 Pacific Games.

He said with the support of Vanuatu, the other two MSG Member countries, Partners to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) from the Micronesian region and a few Polynesian countries, Solomon Islands successfully secured the hosting right for the regional games in 2023.

Solomon Islands won the bid to host the 2023 Games following a close tussle against Tahiti at the second and final day of the Pacific Games Council (PGC) General Assembly in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Tahiti in their bid made excellent and professional presentations with most of the facilities used in previous games to be upgraded for 2023 should they win. 

Ministry of Lands officials said two sites have been identified in the capital Honiara but have yet to get the final endorsement by cabinet.

The officials said there are also issues of illegal settlers on one identified site.

The Pacific Games Council's General Assembly voted in favour of the Melanesian country by one vote over French Polynesia, which also lost out to Tonga in the final vote for the 2019 Games.

RNZI reports both delegations made their final presentations in Port Vila on Wednesday.

According to RNZI, the Solomons delegation includes the provincial government minister, David Tome, and the opposition leader, Jeremiah Manele.

The bid will seek votes from the 22 member countries on the Pacific Games Council.

Solomon Islands is up against French Polynesia, which lost the 2019 rights to Tonga.

RNZI reports the Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare asked for a special adjournment in parliament to facilitate the trip and promised to back the bid with funding.

The Solomons effort is being run on the basis that the Games have eluded the country for far too long, with the last event, the 1982 Mini Games.

Asking for a special adjournment in parliament, he said a delegation would be travelling to Vanuatu to make the bid.

In recent months, the government revealed it was interested in bidding and promised to back the bid with funding.

Mr Sogavare says members of parliament will be part of this delegation.

The leader of the opposition Independent Group, Dr Derek Sikua, wished the government success in the bid.

He said the Pacific Games had eluded Solomon Islands for far too long, and said the last games, the Mini Games the country held in 1982, was too long ago.