Youth Leadership Summit Honiara 2025
In November 2025, the Pacific-Australia Youth Association Inc. (PAYA) proudly hosted the 2025 Youth Leadership Summit in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from 26–30 November 2025, bringing together emerging young leaders from across the Pacific and Australia for four days of leadership development, cultural exchange and regional collaboration. The Summit marked PAYA’s 4th annual edition and welcomed delegates from Australia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, West Papua and Nauru.
Held under the theme “Youth Shaping Pacific Leadership, Environmental Sustainability and Financial Security”, the Summit created a space for young people to connect, exchange ideas and strengthen their understanding of shared regional challenges and opportunities. Throughout the program, delegates participated in leadership workshops, networking activities, cultural sessions, field visits and collaborative group projects designed to empower youth-led solutions and foster stronger regional understanding.
The Summit officially commenced with a welcome dinner and opening ceremony at the Honiara Hotel. Delegates heard remarks from representatives of the Australian High Commission, the Solomon Islands Ministry of Women, Children, Youth and Family Affairs, and PAYA leadership, while also enjoying a cultural performance by the Kirio dancers. The following days included sessions exploring Solomon Islands history, culture and governance, as well as an interactive Pidgin language class where local and international delegates worked together to practice conversational skills and build intercultural connections. Delegates also visited the National Parliament and Solomon Islands National Museum to deepen their understanding of the host country’s history and institutions.
One of the highlights of the Summit was the leadership panel featuring PAYA President Dominic de Moura McCarthy, PAYA Vice President Gladys Bartlett and Josie-Anne Ashley from the Solomon Islands National Youth Congress. Panellists shared their personal leadership journeys and encouraged delegates to pursue positive impact within their communities. Delegates also participated in interactive team-building activities, including collaborative problem-solving exercises and visits to Tenaru Falls and Amazing Grace Farms, where participants learned about sustainable agriculture and cocoa farming practices in Solomon Islands.
A major component of the Summit was the Group Projects initiative, where delegates worked in diverse teams to develop innovative ideas responding to the Summit theme. The winning project, “Youth Entrepreneurship Workshop”, proposed a two-day program focused on equipping young people with practical business skills, leadership development opportunities and mentorship support. The project was recognised for its strong potential to support youth-led economic development and entrepreneurship across the region.
The Summit delivered strong outcomes for participating delegates, with post-event survey results showing that 100% of participants reported high or very high knowledge of project development following the program. Additionally, 87.5% reported significant improvements in leadership skills, teamwork and collaboration, while 100% expressed interest in continuing engagement through PAYA’s regional youth leadership network. Delegates described the experience as inspiring and life changing, highlighting the value of regional collaboration, cultural exchange and learning from fellow young leaders across the Blue Pacific.
The Youth Leadership Summit Honiara 2025 continued PAYA’s vision of building a connected Pacific-Australia youth community by equipping young people with the skills, networks and confidence to lead change in their communities. As PAYA looks ahead to future initiatives and continued growth across the region, the organisation remains committed to creating opportunities that empower young leaders to collaborate, innovate and shape a stronger future for the Pacific.
PAYA extends its sincere gratitude to all delegates, volunteers, sponsors, partners and supporters who contributed to the success of the Youth Leadership Summit Honiara 2025. A special thank you is extended to Local Summit Director, Chrisam Habu, for his leadership and dedication throughout the planning and delivery of the Summit, as well as the Solomon Islands Local Summit Committee members whose hard work and commitment helped make the event possible. PAYA also acknowledges the support of its Executive Team, Board Directors and community partners who continue to invest in youth leadership and regional collaboration across the Pacific.
