Rome, Italy (1 July 2025) – Minister for Agriculture and Livestock of the Solomon Islands, the Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi is in Rome this week to represent Solomon Islands at the 44th Session of FAO conference. FAO is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations whose headquarters is in Rome, Italy.
Minister Wasi kick-started his participation on 29 June with the High-Level Ministerial Special Event for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developing Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCS) themed “From Vulnerability to Resilience”, emphasizing the collective efforts required from FAO and member states. These are among the world’s most vulnerable nations due to climate change impacts, environmental degradation, economic instability, high food import dependency and limited access to resources.
“Connectivity on air, land and sea is very important for sea-locked countries in the blue pacific, including the Solomon Islands, “stated the Minister. He also joined the ministerial statement which calls on FAO to develop a comprehensive strategy and an action plan for agrifood systems transformation focusing on their specific priorities.
In his opening remarks, FAO Director-General, Qu Dongyu called attention to the need for affordable and healthy diets underscoring that over 80 percent of SIDS populations are unable to afford a healthy diet, and landlocked and least developed countries are not far behind.
To date, FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) allocated nearly $85 million to 347 projects between 2024 and 2025, with 70 percent of resources directed to 93 SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs. The Hand-in-Hand Initiative now supports 65 of the 93 countries. In Solomon Islands, this initiative has mobilised agrifood investment of USD 40 million in total which sets to expand value chains in coconut and poultry sectors including overall agriculture development over the next six years.
The FAO Conference (28 June-4 July) is FAO’s paramount governing body and meets every two years. Representatives from 194 member nations of FAO will discuss the Organization’s priorities and the proposed Programme of Work and Budget for 2026-2027.
This year’s conference focused on FAO’s four betters for sustainable agri-food systems; better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life.
The national delegation of Solomon Islands to the 44th Session of FAO Conference is composed of the Minister, the Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Samson Viulu.
This is Minister Wasi’s first visit to the FAO headquarter in Rome since becoming minister for MAL in 2024 and as such, is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the Director General this Thursday, to discuss priority areas of partnerships and collaboration.
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