BY CHRIS ALEX
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined Members of Parliament, officials and international partners on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 for the official launch of the professional development programme for MPs on the committee system at Heritage Park Hotel.
The three-day programme ends today.
Delivering remarks on behalf of UNDP, Solomon Kalu, programmer specialist, highlighted the agency’s longstanding partnership with the Parliament of Solomon Islands, describing the event as “a reaffirmation of our shared belief that a capacitated, empowered, and independent Parliament is essential to Solomon Islands’ democratic and development journey”.
Kalu acknowledged the pivotal role of Parliament in the country’s democratic governance and commended the leadership of Speaker Patteson Oti.
“We are witnessing renewed momentum to modernise and enhance parliamentary capacity to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
Since 2001, UNDP supported Solomon Islands Parliament through various initiatives, beginning with the Parliamentary Strengthening Project. Between 2002 and 2015, collaborative efforts focused on enhancing parliamentary independence, improving committee effectiveness, and increasing public understanding of Parliament’s role.
That support continues today through regional initiatives such as the Strengthening Legislation in Pacific Island Countries Project, funded by Japan, and the Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiative, supported by New Zealand.
Recent achievements include the post-election induction of the 12th Parliament, civic outreach in Marovo constituency, international exchange programs for parliamentary educators, and the development of an IT roadmap to guide digital transformation within Parliament.
Kalu also highlighted ongoing support for financial oversight through the regional Floating Budget Office initiative and reaffirmed UNDP’s full backing of the Parliament’s Strategic Plan 2022–2026.
“This includes strengthening independence, revitalising committee work, and advancing procedural reforms,” he said.
A key component of the current programme is a training partnership with New South Wales Parliament, which offers MPs technical mentorship and peer learning.
Kalu described this model as “reflective of global best practices championed by inter-parliamentary unions” and emphasised its potential to deepen institutional effectiveness.
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