National Dialogue advances discussions on Social Protection in Solomon Islands

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), through its Social Welfare Division, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs and with technical support from UNICEF and funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency through its climate smart fund, has conducted a one-day National Dialogue on Social Protection in Solomon Islands on Tuesday 6^th October 2026.

The National Dialogue is part of the process to advance the social protection agenda in Solomon Islands and was mainly to present key findings from series of consultations conducted in Honiara and some provinces on inclusive discussions with persons with disabilities, elderly, children, women, youth, community leaders, churhces and community representatives.

The dialogue provided an important platform for stakeholders to contribute their views, experiences and perspectives towards advancing the social protection agenda and strengthening social protection systems in Solomon Islands.

The dialogue also provided an opportunity for participants to develop a common understanding of climate-smart social protection, and the role social protection programmes can play in supporting vulnerable people and communities, including in the face of climate-related risks and other shocks.

Through the consultation, it is hoped to achieve:

1. Build a shared understanding of climate-smart social protection and the role of social protection programmes in Solomon Islands.
2. Take stock of the current social protection landscape, including existing policies, cash programming, child protection systems and poverty-reduction initiatives, drawing on relevant national strategies and partner-supported studies.

1. Capture and share the feedback and opinions on key groups and stakeholders that will inform and identify priority actions and a roadmap for development of a national social protection framework/policy aligned with NDS 2016–2035 and LDC graduation aspirations in 2027.
2. Key policy makers and vulnerable groups gain understanding on climate smart social protection systems.

Ms Linda Tupe, Director Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and Medical Services highlighted the importance of bringing together government agencies, development partners, NGOs and community representatives is to ensure that future social protection arrangements reflect the needs and realities of Solomon Islanders.

“Social Protection is not a handout, it is a foundation for dignity, resilience and opportunity. The Government will ensure that the systems it builds must protects every family, supports our children, stands with our most vulnerable and helps our communities withstand the shocks of poverty, disasters and climate change.”

The consultation represents an important step towards strengthening coordination and dialogue around social protection and ensuring that the voices of vulnerable groups are considered in the development of future policies and programmes.

Through continued collaboration between government ministries, civil society organisations, representative groups and development partners, the National Dialogue is expected to help identify priorities and inform a roadmap towards a more inclusive, responsive and climate-smart social protection system for Solomon Islands.

Some of the participants at the dialogue.

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