A new partnership between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands is set to strengthen prosecution services in both countries through practical cooperation under a specialized twinning program.
To progress initial activities under this partnership, a delegation of three officials from the Office of the Public Prosecutor of Papua New Guinea visited Honiara to meet with key justice sector leaders. This visit served to shape the overall program, establish immediate priorities, and agree on the next steps for implementation.
The initiative directly builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2025, which establishes a framework for ongoing training, knowledge sharing, and professional exchanges between the two legal teams.
The newly formed program focuses on practical, hands-on capacity building for prosecutors, specifically targeting critical legal areas such as cybercrime, financial crimes, corruption, and family and sexual violence.
Further, the collaboration will offer active professional placements for prosecutors in both countries to improve internal systems and elevate prosecution standards.
Papua New Guinea’s Acting Public Prosecutor, Ms. Helen Roalakona emphasized that the initiative reflects a strong, shared commitment to results-driven cooperation.
"This partnership is about building capability where it matters most, through hands-on learning, shared experience and trusted relationships. Together, we are strengthening our ability to deliver justice more effectively for our communities," said Ms. Roalakona.
Legal leaders from both nations recognize that pooling resources and insights is the most effective way to address local legal complexities. Director of Public Prosecutions of Solomon Islands, Mr Andrew Ega Kelesi, welcomed the partnership and its deeply practical focus on mutual development. "Despite being different countries, the Pacific Region, especially Melanesians, we have unique challenges, but very similar. It’s important to enable this partnership for both offices to share the challenge, share the action, share the experience, and look at ways in which we can both improve," said Mr. Kelesi.
This regional legal initiative is backed by institutional support from Australia through dedicated regional law and justice programs.
Specifically, the collaboration receives assistance from the Australia–Papua New Guinea Law and Justice Partnership alongside the Australia-Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice. Ultimately, the successful Honiara visit highlights a growing momentum behind regional alliances that deliver tangible system improvements, while reinforcing a shared, long-term commitment to upholding the rule of law across the Pacific.
