BY NED GAGAHE
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reaffirmed its commitment to support Solomon Islands in governance, electoral strengthening and climate resilience.
Speaking to local media yesterday, Ms Munkhtuya Altangerel, Resident Representative of the UNDP Pacific Office, said her visit to Solomon Islands involved extensive consultations with the new Government, civil society organisations and development partners.
“I had a meeting with most ministers in the new Government of Solomon Islands, the Great Coalition,” Ms Altangerel said.
She said discussions were held with the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Planning, Mining, Provincial Government, Police and Rural Development, along with the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, Parliament, civil society groups and donor partners.
Ms Altangerel described governance as one of the key pillars of nation-building and highlighted UNDP’s ongoing support towards strengthening provincial government systems.
“When I say governance, it’s not just governance of the public sector. We help support provincial governments to determine their own priorities and also build capabilities in financial management systems, procurement and asset management,” she said.
She added that UNDP is also supporting climate-resilient rural infrastructure projects and community development initiatives.
A major issue discussed during her visit was transparency in the extractive sector.
Ms Altangerel revealed that UNDP, together with the United Kingdom, will support Solomon Islands to rejoin the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
“Having accountable and transparent governance arrangements for the extractive sector is the foundation for sustainable development of the country,” she said.
She stressed that transparent revenue-sharing arrangements are important to ensure mining communities benefit directly from resource developments.
Ms Altangerel also highlighted UNDP’s continued support towards the country’s electoral processes ahead of the 2028 national and provincial elections.
“So, 2028 is just nearby, and we really need to ensure that the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission is ready again to hold elections with accountability and transparency,” she said.
She said UNDP will continue to assist with voter registration systems and promote political participation among young people, who make up around 75 percent of the country’s population under 35 years old.
On climate resilience, Ms Altangerel said UNDP is currently supporting weather balloon stations and meteorological observation systems in key provinces.
“As our United Nations Secretary-General mentions all the time, every person living on this planet has the right to advanced early warning systems so not a single life is lost,” she said.
She described the week-long mission as productive and valuable, saying she also appreciated the opportunity to meet ordinary Solomon Islanders and hear their expectations and priorities under the new government.
Photo credit: Ned Gagahe
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