Australia to support Solomon Islands in delivery of safe and successful 2023 Pacific Games

The 2023 Pacific Games is being held in Honiara from 19th November to 2nd December 2023 and with a theme of ‘Challenge, Celebrate, Unite’ and as one of the region’s biggest events will bring together about 5,000 athletes, officials and support staff from 24 Pacific teams.

Australia is supporting Solomon Islands to host a safe and successful 2023 Pacific Games through the $17 million Pacific Games Partnership and additional personnel deployments, at the request of the Solomon Islands Government.

Australia will deploy around 100 additional Australian Federal Police (AFP) personnel to join more than 50 colleagues already in the Solomon Islands as part of the Solomons International Assistance Force (SIAF).

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will supplement this deployment to support the SIAF, with 350 personnel who will assist in security, logistics and other support roles.

The AFP and ADF personnel will work under the leadership of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) alongside partners from Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand, to support a safe and secure event.

Under Australia’s Pacific Games Partnership, almost $17 million in direct support will leave a lasting legacy in Solomon Islands, including upgrades to seven schools and deeper ties with Australian sporting institutions.

Australia will be represented by a 75-strong team, that will compete in events including athletics, archery, boxing and weightlifting. Some competitions are qualifying events for the Paris Olympics for some sports.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles notes “Australia and Solomon Islands have a deep and enduring history, and we’re proud to continue working together under our Bilateral Security Treaty, and with Pacific partners, to support the hosting of a safe and secure Pacific Games.

“The additional AFP and ADF deployment builds our longstanding security partnerships across the Pacific.”

Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy shared “The Games’ theme of ‘Challenge, Celebrate, Unite’ will bring together athletes and communities, as we celebrate the achievements of the Pacific’s sporting talent.

“I thank and congratulate Solomon Islands for hosting this important event which brings us together both on and off the field.”

Minister for Sport, Anika Wells added “The Pacific Games will be a brilliant exhibition of athleticism, inclusion and competition and provide another example of how our journey to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is about more than just Australia. We wish all athletes and the organisers a successful Pacific Games.”