PM MANELE RECEIVES US CONGRESSMAN

Prime Minister Honorable Jeremiah Manele MP, has received a courtesy call from congressman Amerish Babulal Bera, a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The visiting US legislator used the opportunity to reaffirm US’s focus on the Pacific region and in particular to reconnect and develop some of the programs once ran by US such as the Peace Corp program.

Congressman Amerish Babulal Bera also pledged support for Solomon Islands’ ambition to set up an office in New York.

Bera also revealed that US through Global Fund has provided $8 million to Ministry of Health and Medical Services to step up the effort in eradicating and eliminating malaria, and non- communicable diseases (NCDs).

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele acknowledged US’s on- going effort to clear off World War II unexploded ordinances.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged US’s provision of the floating hospital- Mercy Ship- who made two trips to Honiara, one in 2022 and last year during the Pacific Games.

PM Manele paid tribute to US for the funding assistance of $8m for health, and stating that NCDs are number one killer in the country. The Prime Minister acknowledged that the financial assistance will help to step up the effort to eradicate NCDs.

The Prime Minister further reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ wish for the re- establishment of the Peace Corp program.

PM Manele underscored Solomon Islands’ ambition to set up an embassy office in New York, adding that it is imperative to have a presence on the ground and tap opportunities to further strengthen Solomon Islands and US bilateral relationship.

PM Manele highlighted the need for Solomon Islands to be included in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and that necessary steps will be taken to satisfy the conditions of MCC.

The Prime Minister reiterated that Solomon Islands will continue to explore other areas of common interests with US and that such will enhance and strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries.

Solomon Islands and US look forward for more bilateral engagements at the margins of the United Nation General Assembly meeting this year.