Australia’s Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Senator the Hon. Nita Green, concluded her three-day visit to Solomon Islands on Friday 28 November with a series of landmark initiatives aimed at empowering women, strengthening skills development, and boosting tourism.
The day began with the launch of the second Women of Influence series, celebrating the leadership and contributions of Solomon Islands women in the public sector.
The event featured trailblazers including Christina Maoma Marau, Florence Barimata Joel, Needy Taingeia, Patricia Leta, and Ronnelle Panda.
Assistant Minister Green announced a new package of support for the Institute of Public Administration and Management’s (IPAM) Mentoring Program, which helps women in public service grow and lead with confidence.
Assistant Minister Green also launched Pacific Strong: Amplifying Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls (PAVE), committing SBD 13 million over five years to expand frontline services for survivors of gender-based violence.
The funding will strengthen the work of the Family Support Centre and Christian Care Centre, as part of a regional effort supporting eleven crisis centres across nine Pacific countries.
Later, alongside the Minister for Education and Human Resources Development, Honourable Tozen Leokana, Assistant Minister Green launched the Pacific Australia Skills program in Solomon Islands.
The initiative will build on nearly two decades of collaboration under the Australia Pacific Training Coalition, focusing on skills development, training systems, and job pathways to help Solomon Islanders secure employment and support their communities.
Earlier in her visit, during the 2025 PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting, Assistant Minister Green jointly announced with New Zealand’s Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Scott Simpson, a joint commitment by Australia and New Zealand to provide SBD170 million over the next five years to support Pacific Island members of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus.
Assistant Minister Green also met Foreign Minister Peter Shanel to discuss Australia’s deep and enduring partnership with Solomon Islands.
The Assistant Minister finished her final day in Honiara meeting with local tourism operators to discuss Australia’s role as Solomon Islands’ number one tourism partner. She highlighted plans to scale up partnerships with dive and surf operators to showcase the country’s pristine marine environment and attract more Australian visitors.
“Australia is committed to working hand-in-hand with Solomon Islands to build a future that is safe, inclusive, and full of opportunity,” Assistant Minister Green said.