THE Premier of Guadalcanal, Hon. Willie Atu, met with the Honorable U.S Ambassador Anne Marie Yastishock in Honiara on Monday to discuss the ongoing partnership between Guadalcanal and the United States, through the U.S Embassy in the Solomon Islands.
Premier Atu extended his congratulations to Ambassador Yastishock for her new role and highlighted the enduring historical connection between Guadalcanal and the United States, rooted in their shared history during World War II. In response, Ambassador Yastishock also congratulated the Premier for his new role.
During the meeting, Premier Atu expressed his profound gratitude to the U.S Embassy and Government for their invaluable support, especially amidst the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. He also thanked the U.S Ambassador for the Climate Change resilient programs funded by USAID in few parts of Guadalcanal.
Furthermore, Premier Atu reiterated Guadalcanal Province’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with the U.S. in critical areas such as Forest Management/Conservation. He proposed piloting the S.C.A.L.E (Strengthening Competitiveness, Agriculture, Livelihood, and Environment) program on Guadalcanal to further drive sustainable practices in the country.
Looking ahead, Guadalcanal aims to sustain its forest management efforts while seeking to expand its international partnerships through the Sister City International (SCI) program with a city in the United States. This initiative is envisioned to not only strengthen cultural exchanges, but also foster mutual understanding at both the provincial and city levels between Solomon Islands and United States.
As the Guadalcanal Provincial Government enters the next four years, it remains steadfast in its commitment to fortifying the historical ties between Guadalcanal and the United States while cultivating new collaborations that will promote sustainable development and prosperity for both regions.
