Foreign Affairs

Dr. Etherington and wife Maureen showing Mr. Sisilo the DME/coconut crushing machine he invented.

With the COVID-19 restrictions easing, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia Mr. Robert Sisilo, is reaching out to small and medium enterprises investing in Solomon Islands.  Kokonut Pacific Australia (KPA), based in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, in joint-venture with Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI) since 2004, was Mr. Sisilo’s first port of call last month.

Mr. John Santolin (left) and Mr. Robert Sisilo

The “Pacific Step-Up” is one of Australia's foreign policy priorities highlighted in its 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper and 2016 Defence White Paper as of fundamental importance. This is to engage with Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island Countries at a new level, launching a new chapter in their relations.  Hence the Pacific/Aus Sports Initiative.

Emily Free & Kriti Mahaja with the High Commissioner

The Solomon Islands High Commission in Canberra had the unique opportunity to introduce two young women students from the Australia National University (ANU) to the world of diplomacy and politics. On 28 October, for a one day event, the Girls Leadership Network (TGLN) matches participants with High Commissions and Embassies in Canberra and give them the chance and opportunity to experience work at the Missions.

L-R: Mr Kereta Sanga, Mr Paul Johnstone, and Ms Karen Aquino

On the 21st October, the Solomon Islands Consulate General in Brisbane, Australia,  Mr Kereta Sanga, presented the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) International Law Enforcement Cooperation Medal (ILEC) to Mr Paul Johnstone, a former Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) officer who served in Solomon Islands in 2007.

L-R: Ms Helen Heidke, Mr Jonathon Lynn, Mr Johnson Oge, Mr Richard Manuroho, Ms Rita Jackal, Mr Edward Kutr

On the 21st October, Solomon Islands Immigration officers, Mr Johnson Oge andMr Richard Manuroho, participated in a half day passports training at the Australian Passport Office in Brisbane.

Consul-General Mr. Kereta Sanga & Sir Bruce Saunders

On the 1st September 2020 Sir Bruce and Lady Keithie Saunders paid a courtesy call on the Consul-General of Solomon Islands to Australia,

L-R: Mr Johnson Oge, Mr Kereta Sanga, Ms Sophia Meolver, and Mr Richard Manuroho

On the morning of the 21st September 2020 the Consulate General of Solomon Islands in Brisbane opened its doors as the country’s first diplomatic mission to offer passport renewal services to Solomon Islanders outside of the country.

Mr. Robert Sisilo

About 300 Solomon Islanders are now working in Australia under the Seasonal Workers Programme (SWP) and 100 under the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS).  This is expected to increase to 2,500 by 2023 according to the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, Mr. Robert Sisilo.

Sisilo testifies before the Australian Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT).

Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, Mr. Robert Sisilo, has likened the Covid-19 Pandemic to a big dark cloud that has descended on planet earth, bringing death and destruction. 

High Commissioner Soaki (3rd from left) with the Fiji Police Acting Deputy Commissioner, Itendra Nair (centre), Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Esala Nayasi (1st left) and members of the resident Diplomatic Missions jointly cut the cake to signify the launching of the PICP Strategic Plan. (Phote: Fiji Polic Force)

The Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency William Soaki joined the Fiji Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Itendra Nair, Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Esala Nayasi, and members of Diplomatic Corp to launch the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) five year Strategic Plan early this month in Suva.