Australia, Solomon Islands Prime Ministers' Joint Statement

1. Solomon Islands and Australia share longstanding and growing ties, embedded in our ancient cultural connections, shared geography, faith, and a history of standing together in challenging times.
2. Prime Minister Albanese was honoured to host Prime Minister Wale on his first international visit since his appointment on 15 May 2026.
3. Our countries have a relationship spanning economic, development and security sectors. Australia and Solomon Islands recognise the security, stability and prosperity of both nations and the Pacific region are inextricably linked.
4. Prime Minister Albanese welcomed the new vision and focussed energy Prime Minister Wale is bringing to the relationship. He further acknowledged Prime Minister Wale's wish to bring about transformational change in the relationship, cemented in a treaty, and significant enhancement of the bilateral development assistance partnership between the two countries. Prime Minister Albanese assured Prime Minister Wale of his commitment to work closely with him to achieve a shared vision for the partnership.
5. During their discussion, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Wale committed to elevate the bilateral relationship on the basis of mutual trust, respect and open dialogue. Both leaders agreed to commence negotiations towards a comprehensive treaty to capture the two countries' joint ambition for the relationship. Leaders tasked Foreign Ministers, in consultation with other relevant Ministers, to lead the development of this comprehensive treaty with a view to it being concluded as expeditiously as possible.
6. Both leaders agreed that while the treaty is being developed, Australia, as a committed and reliable partner to Solomon Islands and the Pacific, agreed to provide SBD200 million (AUD35 million) to assist Solomon Islands with the response to Tropical Cyclone Maila and the impacts of global energy shocks. Both leaders also agreed to continue discussions on how Australia could further support the new government's agenda based on the vision for the relationship shared by Prime Minister Wale with Prime Minister Albanese.
7. In recognition of the priority Prime Minister Wale's government places on education, Australia agreed to double the number of training and vocational scholarships to 1500 in 2027. Australia committed to work with all willing partners to help Solomon Islands achieve the new government's goal of free education and provide the next generation of Solomon Islanders a brighter future. Leaders also discussed other opportunities to deepen the education partnership going forward. Leaders welcomed the impending opening of the Australian-funded Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre in Honiara.
8. Leaders celebrated recent growth in our economic relationship, including the contributions of Solomon Islands PALM workers in Australia. Leaders also agreed to increase the number of Pacific Engagement visas to be offered to Solomon Islands to 300 for the next year of the program. This increase represents a doubling of Solomon Islands' Pacific Engagement visa allocation and will further strengthen people-to-people ties and encourage greater cultural, business and educational exchange.
9. Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Wale reaffirmed the importance of the Solomon Islands-Australia security partnership. Leaders welcomed the continued partnership to grow the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, including the planned completion of a new police academy in Honiara in 2028. The Leaders agreed to maintain the policing partnership through the next phase of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force - Australia Policing Partnership Program.
10. Noting Australia's longstanding investment in Solomon Islands' sovereign security capabilities, including multiple projects across the country, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Wale acknowledged that Solomon Islands' Western Border Outpost was nearing completion. The new facility will bring together police, customs, and immigration officials in a single location, enhancing Solomon Islands' border security and maritime surveillance capability.

On the Regional front

11. Leaders reiterated Australia and Solomon Islands are proud members of the Pacific Islands Forum and committed to work closely and energetically with other PIF members to strengthen the Pacific's premier regional organisation.
12. Leaders reiterated their support for the view of Pacific leaders, as expressed most recently in the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration, that Pacific peace and security is best led and handled by the Pacific.
13. Prime Minister Albanese consulted Prime Minister Wale, as current Pacific Islands Forum Chair, on the difficult global circumstances facing the Pacific, including climate change and rising energy prices, and the critical role the Pacific Islands Forum plays in bringing the region together to find shared solutions, including on maritime transnational crime. Leaders noted 2026 is an important year to amplify Pacific voices on climate action, with the Pre-COP Leaders' Event to be held in the Pacific.
14. Leaders expressed their commitment to shared responsibilities and contributions to regional security including through the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI). They welcomed that Solomon Islands, under Prime Minister Wale's leadership, signed the PPI Memoranda of Understanding to enable Royal Solomon Islands Police Force participation in the Pacific Police Support Group, which deploys at the request of other PIF members.

Conclusion

15. Finally, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Wale, jointly affirmed the strong and enduring partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands and reiterated optimism for transformational and deepening engagement that will lift the relationship to another level.