Solomon Islands Senior Public Service Leaders Gather for Landmark “Leadership Reflection Tok Stori”

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – Senior leaders across the Solomon Islands Public Service last Friday 10^th July 2026 convened for the first “Leadership Reflection Tok Stori,” a unique initiative designed to strengthen the nation’s leadership capacity in the face of increasingly complex national challenges.

The event was officially opened by Mr David Hiriasia, Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM).

The event marks a collaborative partnership between the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), the Ministry of Public Service (MPS), and Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). The gathering brought together the Secretary to the Prime Minister’s office, Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of 12 government ministries, to engage in dialogue and promote a culture of reflection and continuous improvement.

The Tok Stori occurred during a significant week for the nation, coinciding with the 48th Independence Celebrations and the announcement of the GREAT Coalition Policy Statement. PS Hiriasia noted that while senior leaders face the daily pressure of delivering essential services with finite resources, they rarely have the opportunity to pause and examine their leadership approaches.

“If we continue to address persistent challenges in the same way, we should not be surprised if we continue to produce the same results,” stated Mr Hiriasia during his opening remarks. “Real transformation requires us to think differently, learn continuously, and be willing to adapt”.

The Tok Stori event featured a high-level panel discussion with distinguished panellists, including the Secretary to the Prime Minister’s office, Dr. Melchior Mataki, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), Mr. Brian Lenga, and the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Mr. David Hiba Hiriasia. Each of the panel members were asked to reflect on questions posed by the moderator, relating to their leadership experience working in the public sector. Dr. Mataki emphasised how he identifies leverage points where he can influence change within the complex public service system. PS Lenga drew from his experience to suggest what leadership, institutional and cultural shifts are needed for risk informed development. He noted the need for a holistic system of government, rather than remaining a collection of separate initiatives. Finally, PS Hiriasia shared his experience of recent disaster events (including TC Maila and the current El Nino) on leadership decisions and conditions that are critical for adaptation. He emphasised the need for adaptation in all sectors, to strengthen national resilience in future crises.

The Tok Stori highlighted that modern leadership requires more than technical expertise; it demands the ability to interpret complexity and work effectively across different institutions. The event was unique in providing a space for leaders to reflect honestly on their leadership roles and the systems they operate within, learn from one another’s experiences and recognize recurring patterns in development challenges and strengthen trust and collaborative efforts across the government.

Building on the momentum of this initial dialogue, a three-month learning and leadership program will soon be launched across seven pilot ministries including the Ministry of Public Services (MPS). This program aims to nurture “systems leadership” values and behaviors, embedding these modern approaches directly into the institutions of the Solomon Islands Public Service.

By investing in these leadership capabilities, the government aims to build a more resilient and effective public service capable of enabling the outcomes the people of Solomon Islands need for the future.

“By investing in our own learning… we strengthen our collective capacity to serve our nation more effectively,” PS Hiriasia concluded.

The Permanent and Deputy Secretaries Leadership Reflection Tok Stori was supported by the UNDP Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific (Gov4Res) program and the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP). PICAP is a joint initiative between the UNCDF (United Nations Capital Development Fund), UNDP and UNUEHS (United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security).