AGP Executive Report

Regional Health & Travel: Fiji’s PSH Hospitals is drawing patients from across the Pacific, including Solomon Islands, for advanced cardiac care thanks to its Nadi-area facilities and fast access from Nadi International Airport. Sports Development: Makira-Ulawa’s first Oceania Sport Education Programme and Physical Education training just wrapped, boosting school and sports reps in coaching, governance, and child safety. Inclusive Sport: SINIS hosted a Play for Equity Open Day with adapted games and seated volleyball for more than 180 participants from disability organisations. Community & Culture: Popondetta’s 4th Arts and Music Festival ran Sept 4–6, spotlighting local Oro talent alongside international Solomon Islands artist Sean Rii. Honiara Events: The 2026 Annual National Trade Fair opens Sept 9–16 at FOPA Village, with culture, innovation, and entertainment plus a grand float parade. US Partnership: Solomon Islands and the US signed to renew the Peace Corps programme, with volunteers set to return after more than 20 years. Water Disruption: Solomon Water warned east Honiara customers of low/no supply from the Panatina Tank due to borehole pump problems, with repairs underway.

Sports & Community: Honiara’s Panatina Tank is running critically low after borehole pump problems, with east Honiara areas like Ranadi Industrial Area, Panatina Sports Stadiums and King George Secondary School likely to face low pressure or no water until the tank refills. Football (OFC): New Zealand’s Bonnie Rice scored a late winner as the Young Football Ferns beat Fiji 1-0 at the National Stadium in Honiara to reach the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship semi-finals. Rugby Sevens (Regional): Solomon Islands will compete in the Oceania 7s Women’s Cup at Rotorua’s 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup, with SVNS 3 qualification places on the line. Netball Development: The ADF Netball Association will run coaching and umpiring training in Honiara (Sept 21–25), with provincial reps encouraged to apply. Arts & Culture: Popondetta’s 4th Arts and Music Festival (Sept 4–6) showcased Oro talent, with Solomon Islands artist Sean Rii performing. US Partnership: Solomon Islands and the US signed to renew the Peace Corps programme, set to restart after more than 20 years. Health & Skills: A Makira-Ulawa OSEP/PE training trained 60 school and sports representatives, while SINIS hosted an inclusive “Play for Equity” open day for people with disabilities.

Jerusalem Embassies: Pacific nations are pushing to open embassies in Jerusalem, with experts pointing to deep Christian belief and biblical prophecy as a key driver behind support for Israel. Water Disruption in Honiara: Solomon Water warns east Honiara residents around Ranadi Industrial Area, Panatina Sports Stadiums and King George Secondary School may face low pressure or no water as Panatina Tank levels hit critical lows, caused by borehole pump problems. Football (OFC U-16 Women): New Zealand’s Bonnie Rice scored a late winner to beat Fiji 1-0 in Honiara, sending the Young Football Ferns into the semi-finals. Sports Development: Makira-Ulawa trained 60 school and sports representatives through its first Oceania Sport Education Programme and Physical Education training, focusing on governance, coaching, athlete development and child safety. Inclusive Sport: SINIS hosted a Play for Equity Open Day bringing 180+ participants from seven disability organisations together for adapted games, including seated volleyball. Trade & Culture: Honiara’s Annual National Trade Fair runs Sept 9–16 at FOPA Village, with daily exhibitions plus cultural performances and a float parade. Peace Corps Returns: Solomon Islands and the US signed an agreement to renew the Peace Corps programme, with volunteers set to restart after more than 20 years. Popondetta Festival: Oro’s Popondetta Arts and Music Festival (Sept 4–6) celebrated local talent in music and dance, with Solomon Islands artist Sean Rii among performers. Netball Training: The ADF Netball Association will run coaching and umpiring sessions in Honiara Sept 21–25, with provincial nominations encouraged.

Rugby & Community Sport: Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup next month, with Solomon Islands in the women’s Oceania 7s Women’s Cup alongside Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and Niue. Water Disruption: Solomon Water warns east Honiara residents of low/no supply due to critically low levels at the Panatina Tank, caused by borehole pump problems, with repairs underway but full restoration after refilling. Football (OFC U-16): New Zealand’s Bonnie Rice scored a late winner to beat Fiji 1-0 in Honiara, sending the Young Football Ferns into the semi-finals. Trade & Culture: Honiara’s 2026 Annual National Trade Fair runs Sept 9–16 at FOPA Village, SINU, featuring local products, innovation, and cultural performances. Peace Corps Returns: Solomon Islands and the US sign an agreement to renew the Peace Corps programme, set to resume after more than 20 years. Inclusive Sport: SINIS hosts a “Play for Equity” open day bringing 180+ participants from disability organisations together for adapted games, including seated volleyball. Popondetta Arts Buzz: Popondetta’s 4th Arts and Music Festival (Sept 4–6) spotlights Oro culture through music, dance, and local talent, with Sean Rii among featured artists.

Sports & Community: New Zealand’s Young Football Ferns edged Fiji 1-0 in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Honiara, with Bonnie Rice scoring a late winner to send NZ into the semi-finals. Rugby Sevens: Solomon Islands will feature in the Oceania 7s Women’s Cup at Rotorua’s 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup, alongside Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and Niue. Inclusive Sport: The National Sports Council and National Disability Forum Solomon Islands held a Play for Equity Open Day at SINIS, bringing 180+ participants from seven disability organisations together for adapted games, including seated volleyball. Grassroots Development: Makira-Ulawa’s first Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP) and Physical Education training trained 60 school and sports representatives, focusing on governance, coaching, club sustainability and child safety. Arts & Culture: Popondetta’s 4th Arts and Music Festival kept Oro’s culture alive through music, dance and local talent, with international artist Sean Rii performing. Film & Storytelling: POP48 in Fiji is challenging Pacific filmmakers to take control of the narrative, with teams from Solomon Islands among the competitors. US Partnership: Solomon Islands and the United States signed an agreement to renew the Peace Corps programme, with volunteers set to return to support education, health and community capacity.

Melanesian Spearhead Group diplomacy: Australia is seeking observer status at the MSG, but questions remain over whether Torres Strait Islanders will get a meaningful role, after Australian ministers discussed the bid at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. Sports development: Makira-Ulawa’s first Oceania Sport Education Programme and Physical Education training just wrapped in Kirakira, boosting school and sports reps with coaching, governance and child-safety skills. Inclusive sport: SINIS hosted a “Play for Equity” open day bringing 180+ participants from disability organisations together for adapted games, including seated volleyball. Football in Honiara: New Zealand’s U-16 women edged Fiji 1-0 with a late winner from Bonnie Rice to reach the OFC semi-finals. Culture on stage: Popondetta’s 4th Arts and Music Festival ran Sept 4–6, spotlighting local Oro talent alongside international acts like Sean Rii. Community events: Honiara’s National Trade Fair returns Sept 9–16 at FOPA Village, with daily exhibitions plus cultural performances and a float parade. Peace Corps restart: Solomon Islands and the US signed an agreement to renew the Peace Corps programme, with volunteers set to resume work in schools, health and community support.

OFC U-16 Women’s Championship: Bonnie Rice’s late stoppage-time strike rescued New Zealand with a 1-0 win over Fiji at the National Stadium in Honiara, sending the Young Football Ferns into the semi-finals. Sport Development: Makira-Ulawa’s first Oceania Sport Education Programme and Physical Education training wrapped in Kirakira, with 60 school and sports reps learning governance, coaching, child safety and sustainable club building. Inclusive Sport: SINIS hosted a Play for Equity Open Day bringing 180+ participants from seven disability organisations together for adapted games, led by seated volleyball. Netball Pathways: Solomon Islands Netball Federation announced ADF Netball Association coaching and umpiring sessions in Honiara (Sept 21–25), with provincial nominations encouraged. Arts & Culture: Popondetta’s 4th Arts and Music Festival (Sept 4–6) kept Oro’s culture alive through music, dance and local talent, featuring international artist Sean Rii. Film Challenge: POP48 is gearing up across Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands, pushing Pacific filmmakers to tell their own stories in 48 hours. Community Events: Honiara’s National Trade Fair runs Sept 9–16 at FOPA Village, with cultural performances, floats and entertainment alongside business and innovation. Peace Corps Return: Solomon Islands and the US signed to renew the Peace Corps programme, with volunteers set to resume work in education, health and community support.

Sporting Spotlight: Pacific athletes kept stacking medals and records, from Mediterranean Games podiums to rugby milestones, as the wider region celebrates another big week of off-island success. Grassroots Sport in Makira-Ulawa: The first Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP) and Physical Education (PE) training in Kirakira wrapped up for 60 school and sports representatives, focusing on sport governance, coaching, child safety and building sustainable clubs. Inclusive Recreation at SINIS: A “Play for Equity” open day brought 180+ participants from seven disability organisations together for adapted games and seated volleyball at the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport. Popondetta Arts & Music Festival: Popondetta’s 4th annual festival (Sept 4–6) kept Oro culture alive through music, dance and local talent, with international and visiting performers joining the stage. Honiara Trade Fair: The 2026 Annual National Trade Fair runs Sept 9–16 at FOPA Village, SINU, with daily exhibitions plus cultural performances and a grand float parade. Peace Corps Returns: Solomon Islands and the US signed an agreement to renew the Peace Corps programme, with volunteers set to support schools, health services and community development. Netball Development: ADF Netball Association training is coming to Honiara (Sept 21–25), with provincial coaches, umpires and officials invited to nominate representatives. Film & Storytelling: POP48 is challenging Pacific filmmakers to tell their own stories in a 48-hour, short-film sprint, with Solomon Islands among the host countries.

Security & Aid: Solomon Islands and the United States have signed an agreement to renew the US Peace Corps programme, with Foreign Affairs Minister Rick Houenipwela signing in Honiara and leaders also holding talks on broader cooperation. Sports Development: Makira-Ulawa’s first OSEP and PE training trained 60 school and sports representatives in Kirakira, focusing on coaching, governance, child safety and building sustainable clubs. Inclusive Sport: SINIS hosted a “Play for Equity” open day bringing 180+ participants from seven disability organisations together for adapted games, including seated volleyball. Netball Pathways: The ADF Netball Association will run coaching and umpiring training in Honiara (Sept 21–25), with provincial nominations encouraged since the team won’t travel to outer islands. Culture & Community: Honiara’s National Trade Fair runs Sept 9–16 at FOPA Village, SINU, with local products, innovation, artists, entertainment and a grand float parade. Music Spotlight: Popondetta’s 4th Arts and Music Festival (Sept 4–6) kept Oro’s culture alive through music, dance and local talent, with Solomon Islands artist Sean Rii featuring. Film & Storytelling: POP48 is pushing Pacific filmmakers to tell their own stories, with Solomon Islands among the host countries recruiting teams for a 48-hour challenge. Regional Watch: Pacific leaders in Palau called for 24-hour advance notice for future missile tests after China’s July launch.

Grassroots Sport in Makira-Ulawa: Kirakira hosted the first Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP) and PE training for 60 school and sports representatives, focusing on sports governance, coaching, athlete development, event planning, risk management, child safety and building sustainable clubs. Inclusive Recreation at SINIS: More than 180 people from seven disability organisations joined an inclusive “Play for Equity” open day at the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport, with adapted games and seated volleyball as the main action. Netball Development Boost: The Solomon Islands Netball Federation says provincial coaches, umpires and officials can apply for an Australian Defence Force netball coaching and umpiring programme in Honiara (Sept 21–25), with training at SINIS. Popondetta Arts & Music Festival: Popondetta’s fourth annual festival (Sept 4–6) is set to spotlight Oro culture through music, dance and local talent, with international artist Sean Rii among performers. Honiara Trade Fair: The National Trade Fair returns Sept 9–16 at FOPA Village, SINU, with daily exhibitions, cultural performances, and a float parade kicking off the event. Peace Corps Resumes: Solomon Islands and the US signed an agreement to renew the Peace Corps programme, with volunteers set to support schools, health services and community capacity. Tuna Bites Campaign: FFA and SPC launch a Pacific-wide “Tuna Bites” culinary campaign for World Tuna Day, with national tuna-dish competitions across Solomon Islands and other Pacific countries.

US Peace Corps Return: Solomon Islands and the United States have signed an agreement to renew the Peace Corps programme in the Solomons, with Foreign Affairs Minister Rick Houenipwela signing in Honiara alongside US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau; the volunteers are set to resume after more than 20 years, focusing on community support plus capacity in schools and health services. Trade & Culture Spotlight: Honiara will host the 2026 Annual National Trade Fair from Sept 9–16 at FOPA Village, SINU, running daily from 8:00am to 10:30pm, with a theme on innovating for a sustainable future and plenty of local products, performances, and entertainment. Music & Arts Moment: Popondetta’s 4th Arts and Music Festival saw Solomon Islands singer-songwriter and producer Sean Rii take the stage, bringing fresh energy to the local scene. Food Culture Campaign: The FFA and SPC launch “Tuna Bites” for UN World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, with a tuna-dish competition across Pacific countries including Solomon Islands, plus TV broadcasts of the results. Sports Development: Solomon Islands chess federation president Simon Chottu joins a Melbourne roundtable on tech and sustainable sport, exploring ways to expand chess in schools and grow youth opportunities back home.

National Trade Fair: Honiara will host the 2026 Annual National Trade Fair from Sept 9–16 at FOPA Village, SINU, with daily displays and cultural entertainment, plus a grand float parade and opening ceremony—spotlighting local products, enterprise, artists, and tech innovators. Sports & Community: Solomon Islands’ US Peace Corps is set to return after more than 20 years, with leaders backing the programme’s renewed role in schools, health services, and community support. Beach Soccer: Bilikiki coach James Naka is trimming his OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup squad to a final 12 travelling players, shifting focus from fitness to tactics, defending/attacking, and set pieces. Food Culture: The FFA and SPC launch “Tuna Bites” for UN World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, with country tuna-dish competitions across Solomon Islands and other Pacific states, broadcast on TV. Film & Storytelling: POP48 is challenging Pacific filmmakers to tell their own stories in a 48-hour, four-to-six-minute film sprint—teams from Solomon Islands are among the hosts’ competitors. Arts & Music: Sean Rii wowed crowds at the 4th Popondetta Arts and Music Festival in Popondetta.

US Peace Corps Return: Solomon Islands and the United States have signed an agreement to restart the Peace Corps programme in the country after more than 20 years, with Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela signing in Honiara and PM Matthew Wale highlighting renewed community support in schools, health and sports. Bilateral Talks in Honiara: Wale also met US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau during the same visit, reaffirming shared priorities and people-to-people ties. Pacific Language & Culture: Tok Pisin is celebrated as a living, unifying language in New Zealand’s Tok Pisin Wik events, with PNG community voices praising how it connects people across cultures. Beach Soccer Build-Up: Bilikiki coach James Naka is narrowing his squad for next month’s OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup in Tahiti, moving from 16 players down to a final 12. Tuna Bites Campaign: FFA and SPC launch “Tuna Bites” for UN World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, featuring a Pacific-wide tuna dish competition with Solomon Islands among participating countries. Sports & Community: Solomon Islands chess president Simon Chottu joins an Oceania sports roundtable in Melbourne on tech and sustainable development in sport, including expanding chess in schools. Film Challenge Momentum: POP48 is gearing up across host countries including Solomon Islands, pushing Pacific filmmakers to tell their own stories in a 48-hour challenge.

Beach Soccer: Bilikiki coach James Naka is narrowing his OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup Tahiti squad, cutting from 16 down to a final 12 travelling players, with focus shifting to defending, attacking and set pieces. Music & Arts: Popondetta Arts and Music Festival delivered a big moment for Solomon Islands singer-songwriter Richard Saeni, aka Sean Rii, as he took the stage. Sports Development: Solomon Islands Chess Federation president Simon Chottu is in Melbourne for an Oceania roundtable on tech, innovation and sustainable funding in sport, including expanding chess in schools. Film Challenge (Regional): Pasifika TV’s POP48 48-hour film challenge is ramping up, with Solomon Islands among the host countries recruiting teams to create short films in just two days. Football (Regional): Labasa are gearing up to defend the B.O.G title in Fiji, bringing Solomon Islands futsal coach Jerry Sam as technical advisor. Governance & Sport Funding: The National Hosting Authority accepts serious findings from the 2023 Pacific Games special audit, including procurement breaches and court rulings affecting special funds. Bilateral Cooperation: Solomon Islands and Japan reaffirm cooperation on education, infrastructure, aviation and sports, including continued Japanese experts supporting local education work.

Tuna Bites & TV Culinary Challenge: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and SPC launch “Tuna Bites” for UN World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, with one-day tuna-dish competitions in Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu—broadcast on TV to spotlight tuna’s role in Pacific food security and culture. POP48 Film Challenge (Solomon Islands in the mix): Pasifika TV’s 48-hour People of Pasifika film challenge is pushing Pacific filmmakers to tell their own stories, with teams from Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands racing to produce 4–6 minute films and audiences voting across PCBL platforms. Sports Spotlight (Solomon Islands): Labasa’s Extra Battle of the Giants title defence in Ba brings in Solomon Islands futsal coach Jerry Sam as technical advisor, while the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship in Samoa features Solomon Islands in Group A. Arts & Screen Funding: Screenrights announces 2026 Cultural Fund recipients under “Learning Through Story,” including projects supporting disabled creatives and story-led screen training. Local Governance Watch: The National Hosting Authority accepts Auditor-General findings on the 2023 Pacific Games, including procurement and control weaknesses, and says it will work with Finance to fix special-fund warrant requirements. Solomon Islands–Japan Cooperation: Solomon Islands and Japan reaffirm cooperation on education, infrastructure, aviation and sports, with Japanese experts continuing work via the education task force.

Pacific Food & TV: The FFA and SPC launch “Tuna Bites” for UN World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, with Solomon Islands among eight countries running a one-day tuna dish contest judged by top chefs, then broadcast on TV to spotlight tuna’s role in Pacific food security and culture. Film & Storytelling: POP48 — People of Pasifika’s 48-hour film challenge — is pushing Pacific filmmakers to “tell their own stories,” with Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands hosting teams that will write, shoot and edit short films in 48 hours. Sports & Community: Labasa’s Extra Battle of the Giants title defence is underway in Ba, with the club bringing in Solomon Islands futsal coach Jerry Sam as technical advisor. Arts Funding: Screenrights announces 2026 Cultural Fund recipients under “Learning Through Story,” including a disability-led screen training project and story-led learning initiatives. Local Governance & Culture: The 18th Synod of the Diocese of Ysabel (DOY) wraps up in Jejevo, with church leaders and partners thanking communities for food, hospitality and entertainment during the week of deliberations. Bilateral Spotlight: Solomon Islands and Japan reaffirm cooperation in education, infrastructure, aviation and sports, including continued Japanese expert support.