By DALCY LULUA
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale and his delegation are expected to arrive in Port Moresby tomorrow for a one-day official visit that will further strengthen relations between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister Wale is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae before holding a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister James Marape at Melanesia Haus.
A bilateral meeting between the two leaders and their respective delegations will follow, during which Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are expected to sign the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves (MOCOR) Declaration and a Framework Agreement on Development and Economic Cooperation.
The agreements are aimed at enhancing cooperation in marine conservation, sustainable resource management, trade, investment and economic development between the two Melanesian countries.
Last month, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu signed the MOCOR Declaration during the Pacific Ocean Summit, committing to greater collaboration in protecting and sustainably managing the region’s marine resources.
Solomon Islands was unable to participate in the signing at the time due to its ongoing prime ministerial election process. The signing in Port Moresby will formally bring Solomon Islands into the regional initiative, reinforcing a united Melanesian approach to ocean conservation and sustainable development.
Prime Minister Marape will later host an official luncheon at Parliament House in honour of Prime Minister Wale and his delegation.
The visiting delegation is also expected to meet with executives of Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited and Kumul Minerals Resources Development Company to discuss opportunities in the resources sector.
The visit will conclude with the departure of Prime Minister Wale and his delegation from Port Moresby later in the afternoon.
The visit highlights the close relationship between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands and their shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, environmental stewardship and economic growth.