Minister of Forestry for Fiji Hon. Alitia Bainivalu (third from left) and her delegates in a bilateral meeting with Solomon Islands delegates – Forestry Permanent Secretary Richardson Raomae (second from left) Agriculture Minister, Franklyn Wasi (centre) and Forestry’s Deputy Secretary Technical, Terrence Titiulu (third from right).
Ministry of Forestry and Research (MoFR) Permanent Secretary, Richardson Raomae is currently attending the regional research symposium, coincide with the 4th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF), and the Pacific heads of Agriculture and Forestry (PHOAFS) held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
The Regional research symposium brings together Agriculture and Forestry research experts who shares research work on various areas in the two sectors (Agriculture & Forestry).
PS Raomae is an observer in the symposium event, and is a member to the Regional Research agender peer review team representing Solomon Islands to assess priority research needs for pacific island countries.
In a statement from Nukualofa, PS Raomae said his participation in the regional research review is indeed an opportunity for him to share our national research needs as research information is crucial for growth in both the Agriculture and Forestry sector.
He further added that out of the 49 research topics identified in the region through hearing pacific voices and regional research peer review consultations, four (4) key areas are cross cutting topics that needs both national and regional attention.
They are, food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture and forestry systems, climate change and enablers & tools.
Apart from these main events, PS Raomae also attended various side events at the Pacific week of agriculture and forestry, sharing progresses in the forestry sector in light to Solomon Islands status, the challenges as well as calling on regional countries to do more in terms of joint research, data sharing and capacity building.
He is also part of the Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Forestry meeting that continue to deliberate on development and implementation of regional strategies for growing Pacific agriculture and forestry.
PS Raomae has also been engaged in several bilateral meetings to advocate for Solomon Islands’ Forestry interests and strengthen cooperation with regional partners.
One such bilateral meeting was with counterparts from Fiji. The meeting fosters on key specific areas that both countries have common interests on that can become pathway for partnership on forestry.
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[MoFR Press]
