A delegation comprising of Solomon Islands Government officials and industry leaders are attending the region’s largest infrastructure conference, focusing on climate resilient, locally-led infrastructure development in the region.
The Australian Government is facilitating the trip.
The Pacific Infrastructure Conference 2025 which is being held, in Brisbane, Australia, brings together political and business representatives from all 16 Pacific Islands Countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, Japan, France and other bilateral partners and multi-lateral development agencies like ADB, World Bank, and UNDP.
Solomon Islands has a strong delegation representing five key ministries, nine construction companies, and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
The ministerial delegation, led by the Minister of National Planning and Development Cooperation, Hon. Rexon Ramofafia and Minister of Infrastructure Development, Hon Ricky Fuo’o, will attend a range of bilateral meetings, a networking event with Solomon Islands and international construction companies, as well as presenting the challenges, opportunities and priorities for Solomon Islands infrastructure.
Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said Australia’s support for the large delegation recognised the value of the coming together as a region to share and engage with trusted partners, and Australian and regional construction sector companies.
“The conference, side meetings and industry tours will be about delivering more locally-built Solomon Islands infrastructure, in smarter ways, that benefit more Solomon Islanders with jobs, skills and the proven ability to bid for bigger contracts,” Mr Hilton said.
Minister of National Planning and Development Cooperation, Hon. Rexon Ramofafia said the Solomon Islands – Australia Partnership has a good story to tell about increasing local content, building to last, and infrastructure recreating economic impact.
“Good infrastructure development relies on trusted partnerships, sector development and alignment with government priorities, and that is the story our delegation will share with Australia and other Pacific countries,” Mr Ramofafia said.
Minister Fuo’o will present a keynote address to the conference and convene a networking event that will bring together Solomon Islands private sector with Australian and New Zealand construction companies to develop partnerships that best meet local infrastructure needs and capacity building priorities.
The delegation will also visit Logan City Council near Brisbane, to understand how a large urban council delivers public works for its 400,000 residents.
After the conference, the ministerial delegation, including Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Minister of Rural Development, and Minister for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs will attend a number of high-level industry, diplomatic and cultural events in Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney, covering sustainable mining practice and ports development.
