The Solomon Islands Government and the United Kingdom today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalising their partnership on forest governance under the UK-funded Forest Governance, Markets and Climate programme (FGMC).Â
FGMC works with tropical forested countries to strengthen forest stewardship through inclusive dialogue, evidence-based policymaking, and market-based initiatives – supporting nationally-led reform processes.Â
The MOU was signed by the Hon. Makario Tagini, Minister for Forestry and Research, and His Excellency Paul Turner, British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, at a ceremony at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.
In Solomon Islands, the partnership will focus on three areas:Â
- Strengthening forest sector policies and regulations through inclusive, deliberative processes such as the Solomon Islands National Forest Committee.
- Supporting accountability and enforcement in the forest sector, including through collaboration between the Ministry of Forestry and Research and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Helping Solomon Islands explore sustainable economic pathways for its forests, from high-integrity carbon credits to domestic downstream processing of timber.
The partnership recognises the central importance of Solomon Islands’ customary land tenure systems and is designed to work within – not around – governance structures. It aligns with the National Development Strategy 2016-2035 and the Government’s broader reform agenda.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Tagini said “This MOU paves the way for us to explore new and exciting economic pathways. This is about moving from simply exporting raw resources to becoming an agent in the sustainable forest economy of the future.”
High Commissioner Turner described the agreement as a partnership built on honest dialogue and mutual accountability, noting that the UK’s role is to support the priorities Solomon Islands has set for itself.
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