Press Release
13 June 2026
Solomon Islands National University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau, participated in the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2026, held from 10โ12 June 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne, Australia.
Professor Aqorau delivered a keynote address titled โFrom Honiara to the World: Small Island Cities, Youth, and Education in Building a Just Sustainable Future Beyond the SDGs.โ His address brought a Solomon Islands and Pacific perspective to global discussions on sustainable development, urban resilience, education, climate vulnerability, and the future of small island cities.
In his keynote, Professor Aqorau highlighted the importance of placing communities, young people, and local institutions at the centre of sustainable development. He emphasised that universities such as SINU have a critical role in preparing future leaders, planners, researchers, and policymakers to respond to the complex challenges facing small island developing states.
During the conference, Professor Aqorau also contributed to a “Crisis Lab Roundtable” on emergency procurement, flood response, and rebuilding. Drawing on the realities of Honiara and Solomon Islands communities, he stressed that flooding is not only an infrastructure issue, but also a social, housing, livelihoods, governance, and climate-risk challenge.
Professor Aqorau also chaired a session on โGoverning the Transition: Policy, Finance and SDG Delivery,โ which explored how policy, finance, standards, institutions, and public-private partnerships can support sustainable infrastructure and liveable cities.
His participation provided an important opportunity to share Solomon Islands and Pacific perspectives at a global forum and to strengthen SINUโs international engagement in sustainability, education, urban resilience, and climate-responsive development.
ENDS//