Ministry of Forestry and Research drives reforms to boost sustainable forestry practices
Honiara, Solomon Islands – The Ministry of Forestry and Research is pushing ahead with reforms to ensure the sustainable management of the country’s forestry resources, a key pillar of the Solomon Islands economy.
The forestry sector contributes approximately 20% of government revenue, 60% of export earnings, and provides around 10,000 jobs, representing about 20% of national employment.
To maintain this vital sector, the Ministry is updating legislation and policies to align with modern forestry practices and environmental standards.
Several notable reforms in the sector in the first quarter of 2026, include the Cabinet approval of the Draft Forestry Amendment Bill 2025 for submission to the Bills and Legislation Committee.
The Ministry is also making progress with the Downstream Processing and Value-Adding Policy, which is nearing completion and is expected to be launched in April 2026.
Another of the key programmes advanced by the Ministry is the Solomon Islands Carbon Trading Policy, which is currently under development and is expected to be released in late 2026 or early 2027.
The Ministry continues to monitor and enforce compliance with forestry legislation, inspecting annual harvesting plans and ensuring adherence to logging codes of practice.
“These reforms will support long-term economic development and ensure our forests remain a renewable resource for future generations,” said Permanent Secretary Richardson Raomae.
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