Solomon Islands has joined governments, non-government organisations, forest and education institutions including many forest resource owners around the world in marking this year’s international forest day celebrations.
The Ministry of Forestry and Research, together with the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC+) under SPREP, JICA, VATA, SINU and Secondary Form six students from Mbokona High School collaborated in commemorating the International Day of Forest that falls on the 21st of March 2024.
This year’s theme is, ‘Forests and Innovation: new solutions for a better world.’
Forestry Permanent Secretary, Richard Raomae in his message says this is a time that we all must reflect on the importance that the forest has instilled for us the past years, make ready to ensure forests continue to do so sustains our livelihood going forward.
“On this International Day of Forests, take a moment to re-connect yourself with the Forest, think of the many benefits our forest provides especially the contributions of forests to our health and well-being.
“After all, healthy forests contribute to healthy people. Let’s all stand united and umi together for luk afterem gud Forest Blo iumi, today, tomorrow and into the future. Think trees, grow trees.”
PEBACC+ SI Coordinator, Joanne Aihunu also emphasised the benefits that the forest provides for us and the crucial role it plays.
“We need to acknowledge the many benefits that forests bring, as forests play a critical role in sustaining life on our planet; forests are important in safeguarding our food security and water security.
“Forests are critical ecosystems, providing habitats for most of the planet’s species and livelihoods for nearly one billion people. Healthy forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by acting as carbon sinks, absorbing billions of metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
“Forests is a key driver to economic development and key to addressing biodiversity and climate change issues, not only in the Solomon Islands, but globally.
“As we commemorate this year’s World Forest Day with the theme Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World. This is timely as we need to embrace innovative approaches and technologies to contribute to addressing issues of deforestation and forest degradation.”
Mrs Aihunu highlighted the significance of this year’s theme as a very important reflection to the many challenges facing our forests, and the need to take that bold step forward.
“To provide some statistics 10 million hectares are lost annually due to deforestation and approximately 70 million hectares are affected by fires.
“Innovations are essential for early warning systems, sustainable commodity production, and empowering Indigenous Peoples through land mapping and climate finance access.”
She further adds SPREP on this same path has been promoting the ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to address issues related to climate change and environmental degradation and deforestation.
In this regard, SPREP is proud to collaborate with the Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and Ministry of Forestry and Research to implement a four-year project called the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change or PEBACC+.
“We recognise the efforts of the government in ensuring ecosystem restoration in implementing of biodiversity conservation initiatives and plantation restorations, and reforestation activities that are currently occurring across the country.
“These efforts, can significantly contribute to climate mitigation and enhance food security while promoting sustainable wood products.
“In doing so, the project has and will continue to support the historical sites of the Barana Community Nature and Heritage Park, Honiara Botanical Garden and will scale out activities in Small Malaita.
“With key activities will include nursery improvement, reforestation programmes including tree planting, support to livelihoods and income generation, support to information centre and learning ecosystem services assessments and greening of Honiara.,” she adds.
A total of 500 plus trees have been planted in marking this year’s international forest day to promote tree planting as one of the activities to commemorating this day. An awareness talk episode with SIBC, followed with a public display of the various stalls by the Ministry of Forestry and Research at Town Ground.
– MoFR PRESS