The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MAL) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable land management and evidence based reporting by participating in a subregional capacity-building workshop in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, aimed at preparing Pacific countries for the 2026 reporting cycle of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Held from 27 April to 1 May 2026 at The Edgewater Resort & Spa in Arorangi, the workshop brought together national focal points, reporting officers, and technical experts from across Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The training focused on strengthening national capacity to produce high-quality, data-driven reports on land degradation, desertification, and drought.
Representing Solomon Islands are Ms. Hellina Baraso, Chief Information Officer, and Ms. Reeya Rakchhandha, Chief Economic Officer.
Their participation underscores the Government’s commitment to enhancing technical expertise and improving the quality and reliability of national environmental data.
The workshop provided hands on training in the use of the PRAIS 4 reporting platform and Trends and Earth geospatial tools. Participants gained practical skills in data collection, processing, validation, and reporting, with a strong emphasis on using high resolution, nationally owned datasets that reflect the unique environmental conditions of Pacific Island countries.
This initiative comes at a critical time as countries prepare to report against key global targets, including Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and Sustainable Development Goal 15.3.1, which tracks progress in combating land degradation.
For Solomon Islands, the ability to generate accurate and context-specific data is essential for informed decision-making, policy development, and sustainable land use planning.
In addition to technical training, the workshop promotes regional collaboration and knowledge sharing, enabling countries to learn from each other’s experiences and address common challenges such as limited data availability and technical capacity.
Solomon Islands is a Party to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), a global agreement that supports countries in addressing land degradation and promoting sustainable land management practices.
As a Small Island Developing State, Solomon Islands faces unique challenges, including land pressure, climate variability, and the need to balance development with environmental conservation.
Through its engagement with the UNCCD, Solomon Islands is committed to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality by preventing further land degradation and restoring degraded lands.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development plays a central role in coordinating national efforts, working closely with stakeholders to integrate sustainable land management practices into national policies and development strategies.
Participation in this workshop marks an important step in strengthening Solomon Islands’ institutional and technical capacity to meet its international reporting obligations and advance national priorities for sustainable land use and environmental resilience.
