The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing biodiversity conservation in the Solomon Islands.
SINU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau, and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager, Dr. Raluca Eddon signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) on Thursday 12 December at SINU to formalize the partnership.
The collaboration will focus on implementing key components of the UNDP project, Safeguarding Solomon Islands Endemic and Globally Threatened Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (SAFE).
The partnership, valued at SBD 1,181,565 (approximately USD 147,695), demonstrates a significant commitment to advancing biodiversity conservation and addressing key environmental challenges in the Solomon Islands.
The SAFE project will be rolled out across five (5) provinces: Temotu, Isabel, Choiseul, Malaita and Western Province.
The partnership is designed to address critical environmental challenges, including land degradation, invasive alien species, and unsustainable resource use, which threaten both biodiversity and food security in the region.
At the heart of this partnership is the integration of scientific research with community-driven solutions. SINU will contribute significantly to the execution of critical activities, such as baseline assessments, environmental evaluations, and data collection. This involvement ensures that the project’s interventions are based on sound scientific research while incorporating local knowledge to address the unique environmental challenges facing the Solomon Islands.
SINU will also provide opportunities for both faculty, academic staff, and students to engage in various aspects of the project, including research, community outreach, and environmental management.This participation will contribute to the growth of local expertise and strengthen the capacity for sustainable environmental stewardship.
Through hands-on experience in biodiversity conservation and resource management, the initiative will help nurture the next generation of environmental leaders equipped to tackle the unique challenges facing the Solomon Islands.
Aligned with SINU’s mission to foster local knowledge, enhance academic capacity, and advance sustainable environmental management, this partnership strengthens the university’s role as a knowledge hub in the Solomon Islands and across the region.
By integrating global expertise with local insight, the SAFE project ensures that conservation strategies are not only scientifically rigorous but also grounded in the realities of local communities.
In addition to scientific research, SINU’s participation in the SAFE project will facilitate deeper engagement with local communities, creating a collaborative framework for biodiversity conservation that involves both researchers and residents.
This will empower communities to actively contribute to conservation efforts, ensuring that solutions are both effective and culturally relevant. The signing event was attended by senior officials from both organizations, reinforcing the partnership between SINU and UNDP, with future opportunities to support the sustainable development of the Solomon Islands and the broader Pacific region.
SINU expresses its gratitude to UNDP Solomon Islands for their continued support of the development aspirations of SINU and the Solomon Islands.
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Photo Caption: SINU and UNDP representatives posed for a group photo following the successful signing of the strategic partnership.
SINU Press Release
