Gizo, Western Province — The Western Provincial Government (WPG) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pacific, Solomon Islands Office, have today formally renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a signing ceremony held at the Premier’s Office in Gizo. 

The renewed MoU reaffirms a long-standing partnership focused on strengthening coastal fisheries management, improving community governance structures, and supporting resilient livelihoods across Western Province. 

During the ceremony, the WWF-Solomon Islands team met with the Premier, Hon. Billy Veo, and the Deputy Provincial Secretary, Mr. Collin Zamu, to discuss ongoing collaboration and future priorities. 

Premier Veo highlighted the importance of strong and enduring partnerships between the Provincial Government and development partners working across the province. 

“My government values partnerships with NGOs who are working tirelessly in our communities. We remain committed to supporting your programs at both community and ward levels,” Hon. Billy Veo, Premier, Western Province. 

Representing WWF-Solomon Islands, Mrs. Angellah Anisi, Country Manager, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting WPG’s development priorities, especially around Coastal Fisheries Management. 

“WWF is committed to working alongside the Western Provincial Government to advance sustainable coastal fisheries and community-level resilience. This renewed MoU strengthens our shared vision for healthy ecosystems and empowered communities," she said.

WWF Conservation Programme Manager, Mr. Henry Kaniki, provided a brief presentation outlining WWF’s key strategic approaches at the project level and emphasised how these approaches align with WPG’s own governance and development frameworks. 

Ms. Salome Topo, WWF Western Seascape Programme Manager, highlighted WWF’s ongoing support to communities in strengthening formal governance structures and empowering local leaders through leadership and capacity building initiatives. 

This renewed MoU marks an important step forward in advancing shared priorities for conservation, sustainable resource management, and resilient community development across Western Province. 

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