The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Jeremiah Manele has launched the revised Solomon Islands Government Protocol Hand Book in Honiara Friday last week.
Entitled “Administration of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities for Diplomatic Corps Accredited to and Resident in Solomon Islands 2019”, the hand book sets out guidelines that assist Government Administrative Departments to ensure Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities are upheld.
The handbook upholds Solomon Islands duties as a receiving State to accredited diplomats and seeks to balance expectations of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and requirements of our local laws and regulations.
The previous handbook that addressed administering Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities was last produced in the early 90’s and much of the current practices required amending and improving.
Mr Manele said the launching of the booklet also marks an achievement set out by the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) in its 100 days policy in ensuring that this milestone is achieved in a given timeframe.
He added that this handbook is not final and will be reviewed when necessary due to the evolving nature of Protocol to be inclusive of Protocol practice locally and internationally.
Mr Manele also used the occasion to announce the appointment of Mr Trevor Ramoni as the new Chief of Protocol (COP), who will be responsible to ensure the administrative processes and guidelines in this booklet are adhered to.
Mr Ramoni replaces former Chief of Protocol Mr Kereta Sanga, who played a key role in ensuring that this handbook was published.
Mr Sanga was recently appointed as the new Solomon Islands Consular General to be based in Brisbane, Australia.
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Minister Jeremiah Manele (right) and former Chief of Protocol Mr Kereta Sanga displays the handbooks at the launching ceremony