Solomon Islands and United States Sign Bilateral Explosive Ordnance Agreement

Permanent Secretary Karen Galokale stated “On behalf of the Government of Solomon Islands, we greatly appreciate the support of the United States for this program which will go a long way towards strengthening the partnership to remediate UXO throughout Solomon Islands.

This assistance will instill sustainable capabilities within the RSIPF and support the long-term development plan of the Government to create a UXO Center of Excellence. Additionally, the package will complement combined efforts to enhance the RSIPF’s EOD capabilities.”

Chargé d’Affaires Anthony Calegari commented that “This program further deepens our cooperation with the Government of Solomon Islands and demonstrates the United States’ continued commitment to remediate UXO in Solomon Islands. Additionally, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with the RSIPF to augment ongoing EOD efforts. The lasting capabilities this program develops will provide wide-spread benefits towards increasing the security and prosperity of the people of Solomon Islands.”

The U.S. Navy EOD team will facilitate training and equipping that will take place on a rolling basis beginning in 2024.

The United States has invested since 2011 more than $11 million for Solomon Islands’ conventional weapons destruction activities to locate and mark UXO, support updates to the national UXO database, and provide national capacity support.

This included training and equipping the RSIPF explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit which was created through a joint assistance initiative between the United States and Australia; training 13 engineers who have conducted more than 1,200 explosive ordnance callouts and destroyed more than 29,746 items of UXO.

ENDS//

–U.S. Embassy in Honiara, Solomon Islands Press Release