Australia is supporting Solomon Islands to strengthen border security as it prepares to host the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
Australian Border Force officers have been partnering with Solomon Islands Customs and Immigration since 2023 to build Solomon Islands sovereign border security capability and facilitate legitimate travel and trade.
Ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, Australian Border Force officers are working closely with the Solomon Islands aviation sector to help manage over 1,000 expected arrivals. With strong backing from Solomon Islands border agency leadership, Australian Border Force officers delivered three specialist aviation courses, one document examination and impostor identification course, and one border intelligence and targeting workshop.
Training was provided to over 100 officers from Solomon Islands Immigration, Customs, Biosecurity and Police, covering passenger risk assessment, interviewing, baggage examinations, narcotic testing, evidence handling, border intelligence and targeting, indicators of transnational organised crime, human trafficking, and impostor detection. ABF also gifted document examination equipment to Solomon Islands Immigration to assist with identity verification at the border.
Australia is supporting the rollout of the SBD18 million Border Management System, announced by Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Honourable Richard Marles MP in May 2024. Delivered through a trilateral partnership with Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, the Border Management System digitises visa processing and management of border movements. It went live in July 2025 – just in time for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
These initiatives not only strengthen border security but also support economic prosperity by improving trade facilitation, streamlining revenue collection, and enhancing the efficiency of travel and tourism. A secure and well-managed border environment helps attract investment, boost business confidence, and create opportunities for growth.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton said “Australia remains committed to supporting Solomon Islands to build its sovereign capability across all sectors, particularly border protection and management.
“Whether its technology or specialist training, Australia will always be ready to help Solomon Islands address the challenges we share at our borders and harness the benefits of economic activity across borders,” High Commissioner Hilton said.
Director of Immigration Chris Akosawa said “Solomon Islands Immigration Division is proud to be doing our part to ensure the success of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. We look forward to demonstrating the new Border Management System. The Border Management System will be a new source of revenue for Solomon Islands and allow us to improve the economy while also protecting the community. I thank Australia for their ongoing support.”
Supervising Customs Comptroller John Lagi said “a strong aviation enforcement capability is vital in protecting the Solomon Islands community from revenue evasion and transnational crime threats such as trade-based money laundering, narcotics, illegal resource extraction, importation of firearms or other prohibited or illicit goods from entering the community.”
“The skills gained from the training provided by the Australian Border Force will allows us to use our resources more effectively and efficiently to target high-risk travellers and goods, while facilitating legitimate travel and trade.”
Australia is Solomon Islands’ primary border security partner – across airports, seaports and remote outposts – helping to keep the country safe, secure and economically resilient.
