BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM) has proposed key legislative reforms aimed at advancing its vision and delivering tangible, practical results for the people of the Solomon Islands.

Minister Polycarp Paea made the announcement in his remark during the debate of the sine die motion in Parliament on Monday December 15, 2025, where he addressed the ongoing work on several critical pieces of legislation within the ministry.

He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to achieving clear, measurable outcomes as the country moves closer to 2026.

Minister Paea said that the ministry is focused on stewarding national resources effectively to ensure they deliver concrete benefits to the people.

In this context, he revealed that work is already underway on updating the Environment Act 1998 through the drafting of the new Environment Bill.

In addition to this, Paea noted that amendments to the Meteorology Act, a review of the National Disaster Council Act, and the introduction of a Climate Change Bill are also part of the reform agenda.

“These legislative reforms are crucial in providing a strong legal framework that will protect our environment, strengthen resilience, and ensure that our domestic efforts align with our international commitments,” the minister said.

Furthermore, Minister Paea emphasized the ministry’s plan to enhance its presence in the provinces by improving visibility and outreach efforts on issues related to the environment, climate change, disaster management, and meteorology.

This initiative, he explained, will ensure that local communities are actively engaged in policy development and decision-making processes, while also improving coordination with provincial governments and partners to maximize resource use and avoid duplication of efforts.

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