Millennium Challenge Corporation-SITHP Joint Task Force Meeting
HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS (September 26, 2025) — The Solomon Islands Threshold Program (SITHP), a partnership between the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) and the United States Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), held a joint Task Force meeting for its two funded projects: the Accessing Lands for Tourism Investment Facilitation (ALTIF) and the Forest Value Enhancement Program (FoVEP).
The MCC’s Resident Threshold Director in Solomon Islands, Charles Jakosa, welcomed high-level SIG officials to the meeting, including Permanent Secretary Brian Lenga, Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination and Permanent Secretary Bunyan Sivoro, Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Representatives of SITHP’s implementing partners: Nakau, Live & Learn Solomon Islands, Tetra Tech, and the International Finance Corporation also participated.
“This meeting is a gathering of high-level Government officials and program partners who represent the driving force behind overwhelming positive reforms in the tourism and forestry sectors in Solomon Islands. With support from MCC, these officials and partners are helping to develop a portfolio of promising projects that will stimulate tourism investment and income-generating activities and ensure the Solomon Islands receives value for its timber resources,” Mr. Jakosa said.
“The success of SITHP is realized by the strong participation that the SIG has demonstrated and the transparency that all MCC-funded programs provide. MCC is very pleased with the progress achieved so far by SITHP.”
Solomon Islands Government is grateful to have SITHP resuming its operations in the country following the United States Government review of its foreign assistance program.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination, Brian Lenga, thanked the United States Government for continuing its support and assured all SITHP partners of SIG’s ongoing support to the MCC-SITHP Program. PS Lenga called on all MCC and Implementing Partners to accelerate ALTIF and FoVEP implementation to achieve the SITHP Program outcomes within the remaining duration of SITHP. He further stated that demonstrating SIG support to SITHP Program is critical as the country aspires to qualify to be considered for the Compact funding by the time SITHP ceases.
Photo credit: Roger Dakamae
Group photo above
Back Row from Left: Eldine Devesi (ALTIF Coordinator, IFC). Joseph Waleanisia (Senior FGR Facilitator, CCPS). Mason Fugui, Deputy Registrar of Titles, MJLA. Andrew Nihopara Board of Directors, Solomon Airlines. Allan Siale, Deputy Policy Secretary, OPMC. Lynette daWheya, Director, InvestSolomon. Josef Hurutarau, Director Environment Conservation, MECDM. Charles Jakosa, Resident Threshold Director, MCC
Middle Row from Left: Brian Lenga, Permanent Secretary, MNPDC. Agnetha Karamui, Deputy Secretary Technical, MECDM. Mark Ligo, Principal Tourism Officer, MCT. Patricia Pollard, FGR Facilitator, CCPS. Banyan Sivoro, Permanent Secretary, MCT. Florrie Alalo, Team Leader Tetra Tech.
Front Row from Left: Jonathan Taisia, Principal Tourism Officer, MCT. Elma Panisi, Country Manager, Live & Learn. Jenny Barile, Director for External Trade, MFAET. Nelly Kalisango Aba’iete’e, Deputy Commissioner of Lands, MLHS.
