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Environment

SAFE Project conducts Critical Biosecurity Workshop to Strengthen National Defenses Against Invasive Alien Species

By Eliza Kukutu

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SAFE Project under the Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) and UNDP is currently running an important workshop focused on strengthening national biosecurity systems and procedures for its stakeholders  to address the nation’s high vulnerability to invasive alien species.

The workshop is an important capacity-building initiative, supported by the SAFE Project under the UNDP, specifically to reinforce the SAFE Project’s Output 1.3. The overall goal is to enhance the capacity of national and provincial stakeholders.

In her opening remarks  Ms Jean Manepora Director of Biosecurity Solomon Islands in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) said biosecurity is considered essential for protecting the nation’s biodiversity and supporting sustainable development.

She said invasive alien species pose serious threats to the Solomon Islands’ agriculture, environment, and economy.

She emphasized that as trade and movement increase, risks at ports of entry must be mitigated.

The training workshop supports current efforts to improve readiness, coordination, and operational efficiency at both international and domestic borders.

Over the course of the training workshop, participants, including frontline officers, will engage in key activities, which include the Reviewing the national biosecurity framework and relevant international obligations, identifying key risks, pathways, and threats at ports of entry, applying risk assessment and profiling tools for cargo vessels, and passengers and Using standard operating procedures (SOPs) for inspection, surveillance, and interception documentation.

The expected outcomes of the capacity-building program are centered on improving professional capabilities and coordination. These include Improved officer capacity in inspection and reporting, Completion of sample profiling templates, Recommendations for enhancing SOPs and inter-agency coordination

Participant for the workshop came from Biosecurity Solomon Islands, Customs, Port Authorities, and other relevant agencies.

Ends///

– MECCDMM PRESS RELEASE

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