SOLOMON Islands is committed to the principles of good governance and transparency.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela highlighted this when addressing the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York recently.
The Prime Minister told leaders at the UN Assembly that his Government has passed an Anti-Corruption Act which aims to eliminate the scourge of corruption from all levels of society.
In addition, Prime Minister Houenipwela said the Solomon Islands Parliament has also passed a Whistle-blowers Protection Act; giving due protection to those who report issues of corruption to the attention of relevant authorities.
“Solomon Islands is committed to the democratic principles and processes and we are equally committed to the holding of a free and fair elections in early 2019,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Solomon Islands is also an ardent believer in collective action.
“We are staunch supporters of multilateralism. As such we stand in solidarity with all members of the UN body – which is the pinnacle of multilateralism,” he said.
Prime Minister Houenipwela said without UN, small island countries like Solomon Islands will not be heard as other loud voices from developed countries will continue to drown the voices of small island nations.
“Our expectations from this organisation will remain high. As such, adequate resources for programmes and projects that will impact citizens is needed. The UN has flaws. But Solomon Islands continues to feel the impact of the power of working together on global issues that are championed by the UN. We believe that the principles and values upon which the UN is founded remain relevant,” he said.
–OPMC PRESS
