BY NED GAGAHE
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen partnership and development cooperation with the new Solomon Islands Government following a series of high-level meetings last week.
UNDP Pacific Office Resident Representative Ms. Munkhtuya Altangerel said her official visit to Solomon Islands involved extensive consultations with government ministers, Parliament leaders, development partners and civil society organisations.
Speaking to local media in Honiara last week, Ms. Altangerel described the engagements as “very substantive”, saying discussions covered a wide range of national development priorities.
“I had a meeting with most ministers, the new ministers in the Government of Solomon Islands, the Great Coalition,” she said.
Ms. Altangerel said her mission began with meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before holding discussions with Minister of Planning and officials from the Ministry of Finance.
“We had a very substantive dialogue with the Minister of Finance,” she said.
She also held meetings with the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Provincial Government, Ministry of Police and Ministry of Rural Development, as well as the Forum Fisheries Agency.
“So, I would say we’ve covered the entire spectrum of the civil service here in Solomon Islands,” Ms. Altangerel added.
The UNDP representative also met with the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, Parliament representatives and several civil society organisations, including the Solomon Islands National Women’s Council, disability organisations and youth groups.
“I also had a discussion with the partners, including Australia, United Kingdom, China, Japan and also New Zealand,” she said.
According to Ms. Altangerel, governance remains a central pillar of UNDP’s support in Solomon Islands, particularly in areas relating to provincial governance, elections, transparency and community development.
“UNDP is a United Nations agency that works on governance. So, it’s a key pillar of any nation building,” she said.
She highlighted continued UNDP support for provincial governments in areas such as financial management systems, procurement capability, asset management and climate-resilient rural infrastructure.
Ms. Altangerel also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the extractive sector, revealing that UNDP and the United Kingdom will support Solomon Islands to rejoin the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
During her visit, she also met Prime Minister Matthew Wale and Speaker of Parliament Patteson Oti during celebrations marking King Charles’ birthday.
“In general, it’s been quite busy,” Ms. Altangerel said.
Photo credit: Ned Gagahe
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