BY NED GAGAHE
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says it will support Solomon Islands to rejoin the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) as the country pushes for stronger accountability and transparency in the mining and extractive sector.
Speaking to local media in Honiara over the weekend, UNDP Pacific Office Resident Representative Ms. Munkhtuya Altangerel said transparent governance arrangements in the extractive sector are critical for the country’s long-term sustainable development.
“This whole week, there has been a lot of news on the transparency in the extractives industry,” Ms. Altangerel said.
“So together with the United Kingdom, we will be supporting the Government of Solomon Islands on rejoining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, or EITI.”
She said accountable and transparent governance systems in the extractive industry are essential to ensure that benefits from the country’s natural resources reach communities.
“Having a good governance, and not just good governance, but also accountable and transparent governance arrangements for the extractives sector is the foundation for sustainable development of the country,” she said.
Ms. Altangerel added that transparent revenue-sharing arrangements for communities living around mining areas are equally important.
She made the remarks following a week of consultations with government ministers, state institutions, development partners and civil society organisations during her official visit to Solomon Islands.
The UNDP representative met with several government ministries, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Provincial Government and the Ministry of Rural Development.
She also held discussions with the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, members of Parliament, development partners and civil society organisations.
Ms. Altangerel said governance remains one of UNDP’s core priorities in Solomon Islands.
“UNDP is a United Nations agency that works on governance. So, it’s a key pillar of any nation building,” she said.
She said UNDP is continuing to support provincial governments with financial management systems, procurement capacity, asset management and climate-resilient rural infrastructure development.
The renewed push for EITI engagement comes amid increasing public discussion around transparency and accountability in Solomon Islands’ extractive industries sector.
Solomon Islands was previously an EITI implementing country before withdrawing from the initiative in 2018. Recent consultations involving UNDP, the United Kingdom and stakeholders have focused on helping the country re-engage with the global transparency framework.
Photo credit: Ned Gagahe
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