PAPUA NEW GUINEA AND SOLOMON ISLANDS ADVANCE STRATEGIC BORDER PRIORITIES AND REVIEW BILATERAL COOPERATION AT PORT MORESBY WORKSHOP
Senior officials from the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICSA) and the Solomon Islands Immigration Division have successfully concluded a two-day bilateral workshop in Port Moresby, held from November 5–6, 2026.
The high-level meeting focused on reviewing the foundational 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and its implementation action plan to realign and advance the two nations shared strategic priorities.
During the sessions, delegates reviewed the 2024 agreement to assess progress and align the next steps, updating the MOU to reflect a formalised governance arrangement for joint collaboration. The updated MOU will be officially signed in Honiara early next year, coinciding with the launch of the Solomon Islands Immigration Division’s new Border Management System e-Payment Gateway.
A major highlight of the review was the evaluation of the previous action plan, which included key targets such as PNG supporting the Solomon Islands in establishing its independent border management system.
Officials formally celebrated this milestone, which was fully achieved last year. They noted that the Solomon Islands’ border systems initiative had been a great success in modernising regional border operations and strengthening administrative capacity.
The workshop also provided an opportunity to discuss recent infrastructure milestones and long-term strategic priorities, including the official opening of the international border crossing at Kangu, Bougainville.
Commenting on the work of PNG border agencies in opening the Kangu border crossing, PNG Immigration Chief Migration Officer Wellington Navasivu said, “The Kangu crossing was a critical development for the safe and orderly movement of people and goods across the shared border.”
To strengthen these ongoing efforts, the parties developed a joint policy statement during the workshop, clearly outlining their operational focus and strategic direction.
“Building upon a long history as close neighbours and deeply rooted people-to-people links, Solomon Islands Immigration and PNG Immigration are united in a joint commitment to facilitate genuine travel across our shared borders, including traditional border inhabitants, while coordinating their border security efforts to rigorously secure these arrangements against exploitation,” said Mr Navasivu.
Looking ahead, both delegations used the review of the action plan to identify future strategic priorities.
Key areas of focus under the updated plan include enhancing real-time intelligence sharing, refining standard operating procedures for traditional border crossers, and coordinating regional capacity-building efforts to combat human trafficking and transnational organised crime.
In his closing remarks, the Solomon Islands Director of Immigration said, “By continuing to implement the framework established in 2024, both immigration authorities will ensure that border crossings become more efficient for genuine travellers and local communities while maintaining robust security measures against illegal exploitation.”
