Solomon Islands is now a member of AIIB

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Honiara, Solomon Islands — Solomon Islands has now become a member of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) after receiving the official Certificate of Membership this month from the President of AIIB in Beijing.

The President of the Asia Infrastructure Bank or AIIB, Jin Linqun, finally presented the official Certificate of Membership to the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Honorable Harry D. Kuma, at the margin of the 10^thAIIB Board of Governors meetings, in Beijing, from 24th – 26th June, 2025.

Early this month, the Solomon Islands was announced as a new regional member of the Bank, which now has a total global membership of 110 members.

“Solomon Islands will greatly benefit as a Regional Member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB),” Minister Kuma said, following his discussions with President Jin Linqun and the senior management of the Bank.

The Honorable Minister revealed that a way forward to commence discussion with the government and to confirm pipeline investments or financing from AIIB will start in the coming months.

Minister Kuma also revealed that the Bank will soon schedule a mission to the Solomon Islands to discuss with Government officials on the prospective investment plan as well as project preparation for financing.

Possible investment areas discussed with the President and senior management of the AIIB include connectivity infrastructure, urban investments like utilities, as well as investment in energy sectors.

The AIIB is a multilateral development bank that provides financing for infrastructure projects for its members, not only in Asia but also beyond. Like other multilateral development banks (MDBs), the mission of AIIB is to improve the lives of its members through the financing of quality infrastructure projects as a basis for improved development and economic growth.

Solomon Islands first applied to be a member of AIIB in 2023. After complying with all membership requirements, including the Instrument of Accession and the first installment capital subscription payment of US$100,000.00, the Solomon Islands has now fulfilled the terms and conditions outlined in Resolution No. 123 of the Board of Governors and is now a Regional Member of AIIB as of June 9, 2025.

The AIIB was proposed by the current Chinese leader, President Xi Jinping, to provide developing countries with alternative financing options apart from institutions like the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.

It began operations in January 2016. The AIIB Board of Governors’ annual meeting in Beijing (China) also reflected on the bank’s performance over the last ten years. Forged in the spirit of multilateral support for infrastructure development in Asia and its member countries, the AIIB Article of Agreement reflected the desire of the 57 founding member countries to work together and learn from the experience of other multilateral development banks that came before it.

The Minister of Finance reported that AIIB now has 110 members. The Minister also reported that despite the global economic uncertainties and increased geopolitics over the last ten years, AIIB is now recognised as a trusted multilateral development bank, with over US$60 billion spent on approved infrastructure projects over the last ten years.

Membership of AIIB will benefit the Solomon Islands. Minister Kuma confirmed that Solomon Islands will greatly benefit from AIIB concessional project funding under its four thematic infrastructure investment priorities, namely green infrastructure, connectivity and regional cooperation, technology-enabled infrastructure, and private capital mobilization efforts.

During the AIIB Board of Governors meetings from 24th – 26th June 2025, the Minister of Finance and Treasury also discussed the infrastructure investment needs of Solomon Islands with the AIIB President, Mr. Jin Linqun, and senior staff of the bank’s infrastructure investment and environment teams.

The Minister also discussed Solomon Islands’ development concerns with the Executive Director of the AIIB 7th Constituency (where Solomon Islands is a member), and other senior staff of the Multilateral Cooperation Centre for Development Finance (MCDF) that AIIB looks after. Minister Kuma had confirmed that his Permanent Secretary, Mr. McKinnie Dentana, and economic advisor, Mr. Ishmael Wore, also attended the AIIB Board of Governors Annual meeting and discussions with relevant senior staff of AIIB.

President Jin Linqun noted Solomon Islands’ development challenges and agreed that AIIB would provide concessional infrastructure investment funding for Solomon Islands, depending on the government’s infrastructure project proposal submission.

The President also agreed for AIIB to visit Solomon Islands in the near future after the planned AIIB regional meeting with its Pacific Islands members in August 2025.

Apart from discussing the infrastructure investment needs of the country, Minister Kuma also participated in the AIIB Board of Governors election of the new AIIB President, Madam Zou Jianyi.