Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Rick Houenipwela signing the Peace Corps Agreement with the United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in the presence of Prime Minister, Hon Matthew Wale, senior government Ministers alongside officials from both governments.
Solomon Islands and United States Sign Agreement to Renew Peace Corps Programme
The Solomon Islands Government and the Government of the United States of America today (Sunday 6th September 2026) signed an agreement to renew the Peace Corps programme in Solomon Islands, marking an important step in strengthening the longstanding friendship and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The agreement was signed at the Prime Minister’s Office in Honiara between Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Rick Houenipwela and the United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in the presence of Prime Minister, Hon Matthew Wale, senior government Ministers alongside officials from both governments.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Rick Houenipwela, welcomed the signing describing it as the renewal of a longstanding partnership between Solomon Islands and the United States.
“The signing of this Agreement is more than the signing of a document. We renew a friendship,” Minister Houenipwela said.
The Minister noted that Peace Corps Volunteers have a long history of serving in Solomon Islands, with volunteers having worked in villages, schools and health facilities for more than 50 years.
He said the return of Peace Corps Volunteers would contribute to Solomon Islands’ development priorities by supporting communities, strengthening capacity in schools and health services, and promoting skills and knowledge exchange.
Minister Houenipwela said the agreement reflects Solomon Islands’ commitment to genuine partnerships based on respect for sovereignty, development priorities and strong people-to-people connections.
The Minister also acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale, whose visit to Washington earlier this year helped set the agreement in motion, and thanked Deputy Secretary Landau for his commitment to advancing the agreement and travelling to Solomon Islands for its signing.
The renewed Peace Corps partnership forms part of broader cooperation between Solomon Islands and the United States, including development financing, the Millennium Challenge Corporation Threshold Program, maritime security cooperation and ongoing efforts to address unexploded ordnance left from the Second World War.
“Solomon Islands engages with all of our partners — near and far — in a manner consistent with our national interest and our long-standing tradition of friends to all, enemies to none,” Minister Houenipwela said.
The Solomon Islands Government looks forward to working closely with the United States Government to complete the necessary arrangements for Peace Corps Volunteers to return to Solomon Islands communities at the earliest opportunity.
The signing of the Agreement is expected to open a new and enduring chapter in the friendship and cooperation between Solomon Islands and the United States of America.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Rick Houenipwela with the United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau after signing the Peace Corps Agreement at the PMO today.
The United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau speaking after the signing of the Peace Corps Agreement.
Prime Minister, Hon. Matthew Wale speaking today.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Rick Houenipwela giving his officials remarks