๐’๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง ๐ˆ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐š๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐”๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐๐š๐œ๐ข๐Ÿ๐ข๐œ ๐‘๐ž๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ง-๐†๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ง๐ฆ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐š๐ฅ ๐Ž๐ซ๐ ๐š๐ง๐ข๐ณ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐’๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐Œ๐ž๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐š๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐”๐ง๐๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ๐š๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ 

๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐‘๐ž๐ฅ๐ž๐š๐ฌ๐ž

๐Ÿ“ ๐’๐ž๐ฉ๐ญ๐ž๐ฆ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“

The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the Pacific Regional Non-Governmental Organization (PRNGO) today formalized a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration during the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM54) in Honiara.

The MoU was signed by Dr William Parairato, SINU Acting Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor Corporate, and Mr. Joey Tau PRNGO representative , marking a significant step in promoting regional dialogue and advocacy on pressing issues affecting Pacific peoples.

Under the agreement, both institutions commit to working together to support civil society engagement, strengthen local leadership, and encourage inclusive participation in discussions around governance, climate change, oceans, and sustainable development.

Speaking at the signing, Dr William highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating that โ€œthis MoU reflects SINUโ€™s role as a national institution that not only educates but also provides a platform for meaningful dialogue and inclusive participation in regional affairs.โ€

Mr. Joey Tau of PRNGO emphasized that the partnership seeks to create public dialogue on issues facing not only the Pacific region but also the Solomon Islands. โ€œThis is about engaging students, academia, and the general public to ensure these spaces are more accessible. We extend our deep appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and SINU for this support. We hope this is not a one-off, but the beginning of more partnerships,โ€ he said.

Acting Vice-Chancellor of SINU, Dr William, welcomed the collaboration, noting its value at both national and regional levels. โ€œThis partnership is very important, especially with the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum. The engagement will further encourage local leadership, strengthen long-term relationships, and support governance at the regional level. The University is very pleased to assist,โ€ he stated.

This MoU outlines the responsibilities from both parties:

  • SINU will provide facilities, promotional support, and academic expertise through lectures, panel participation, and public forums.
  • PRNGO will contribute by covering venue and catering costs for selected events, convening diverse CSO perspectives, and ensuring community voices are represented.

Planned Activities during PIFLM54

  • Saturday, 6 September โ€“ CSO Roundtable (closed to CSOs).
  • Monday, 8 & Tuesday, 9 September โ€“ Pacific Peoples Tok panel discussions (open to the public).
  • Wednesday, 10 September โ€“ Public forum sessions.
  • Thursday, 11 September โ€“ CSO Debriefing session (closed).

The MoU is non-binding and will remain in effect until the conclusion of PIFLM54. Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and regional cooperation, recognizing the importance of civil society in shaping Pacific futures.

ENDS//