The Solomon Islands Government has hosted a delegation from Fiji as part of ongoing discussions on the proposed relocation of Commonwealth war graves of Fijian servicemen who lost their lives during the Second World War in Solomon Islands.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Mr Collin Beck, received the courtesy visit on Monday, 2 February 2026.
The Fiji delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Mr Mason Smith, and included Fiji’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E. Jackson Evans, along with other senior officials.
During the meeting, the Fiji delegation briefed Solomon Islands officials on plans for the proposed relocation, building on bilateral discussions held in 2024. The current Commonwealth War Grave site at the Number Three area near Vara Creek has been affected by ongoing encroachment from informal settlements.
Mr Beck paid tribute to Fijian military personnel who served in Solomon Islands during the Second World War, as well as those who later served under the Commonwealth, RAMSI, and the Solomon Islands Armed Forces.
He expressed regret and concern over the desecration of the cemetery site, noting that the situation has affected relations between the two Melanesian neighbours and families with loved ones buried there.
He emphasised that respecting the resting places of the deceased in Honiara is a shared responsibility and a mark of honour for all who have contributed to the history and development of Solomon Islands.
An alternative site for the relocation of the remains of both Fijian servicemen and civilians is currently under consideration, with further consultations scheduled between the Fiji delegation and relevant Solomon Islands authorities during the week.
Mr Beck wished the visiting delegation a productive and constructive engagement during their time in Solomon Islands.
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