Policy Statement of the Government of Solomon Islands.

This Policy Statement presents the vision and policies of the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) for the next four years to the people of Solomon Islands. The DCGA commits to foster the progressive development of policies and programs aimed at creating a peaceful, united, and forward-looking Solomon Islands. This vision will be guided by ethical, accountable, respected, and credible leadership that enhances and safeguards the spiritual, cultural, social, and economic wellbeing of the Solomon Islands’ people. The objectives of the DCGA include but not limited to: (i) stimulate and advance social and economic growth; (ii) strengthen and advance a good governance system; (iii) advance and institutionalize a relevant traditional government system in the country; (iv) ensure recognition, respect and strengthening of traditional leaders and land ownership for proper local governance; (v) address the needs of people in the rural areas; and (vi) protect traditional rights of indigenous resource owners to ensure maximum benefit and ownership from the development and utilization of their resources.
The Government will maintain and refine existing key reform programs, especially the National Development Strategy (NDS), while introducing new and innovative reform agendas and programs to align with the new government policy direction. The Sectoral Reform Programme outlined by the Government focuses on enhancing various sectors to drive economic recovery and growth. Key areas include agriculture, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, forestry, environment and climate change. Strategic investment incentive packages will be promoted in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining and tourism sectors.
Agriculture and livestock development under the Reform Program focuses on enhancing commercial agriculture and food security. Key initiatives include supporting the development of high-value cash crops, restructuring the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for better policy and technical capacity, and promoting agribusiness ventures. The Government aims to improve agricultural production and marketing, strengthen quarantine measures, and establish a National Agriculture Research Institute. Additionally, there is an emphasis on land use planning and ensuring adequate human resources and facilities for the sector.
The Government aims to strengthen national and provincial fisheries governance, improve small-scale fisheries for food security, and distribute benefits through innovation and technology. Additionally, the Government commits to enhance commercial tuna fisheries, support rural fishers, and establish marine managed parks, monitor tuna fishing, support indigenous resource owners, and to promote on-shore fisheries processing to improve living standards in fishing communities.
Solomon water reform programme will be carried out to ensure the provision of safe and reliable water and wastewater services to urban communities. The legal framework in management and administration of water resources will be developed. A National Program will be established to support appropriate interventions in water supply and sanitation systems through Adaptation Strategies for increasing the resilience of water supply and sanitation systems and communities to the impacts of climate change.
The forestry sector will be developed by reviewing and legislating the Forest Resources and Timber Utilisation Act, supporting downstream processing programs, and partnering with institutions for timber industry training. Small, medium, and large forestry plantations will be encouraged through out-grower schemes and reforestation and afforestation will be promoted. The Government will enforce sustainable forest management principles, participate in global carbon storage assessments, and support local entrepreneurs in the forestry and timber industry. Research on resilient genetics and improved tree growth will also be encouraged.
The Government will take measures to ensure effective management and protection of the country’s environment by addressing biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk management. Furthermore, the Government emphasizes development of social sectors, such as health, education, gender, youth and social development.