A team of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) analysts has paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Tuesday.
The visit was to express appreciation for the fine leadership he has demonstrated in advocating for good governance as well as the cooperation and partnership that the Democratic Coalition for Change Government has provided in support of UNDP programmes in the country.
The team which consists of Phil Matsheza and Patrick Duong from the UNDP Office in Bangkok, Thailand and Mr Mohammed Mozeem from the UNDP Office in Suva, Fiji.
They are in the country to look at how best the UNDP can assist the Solomon Islands Government advocate for good governance, ensure its programmes are consistent with the Solomon Islands Government needs and priorities and how it can localise the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
“We appreciate your meeting with us. We move around supporting our (UNDP) country offices to make sure our programming is consistent with the needs and priorities of UN partner countries.
“We also come here amidst the changes happening with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). We have to see how we are going to localise them. We are also here to look at how your programming will reinforce your priorities in the area of good governance.”
Mr Matsheza added that, “As a good governance person, I can say we really appreciate your leadership and call for accountability. This is a much welcomed development and it is something we find resonating with what is happening both at the regional level and global level.
“We will also be highlighting the efforts you have made. Solomon Islands may not be big in numbers but I think that moral leadership is always something that can be encouraging to other people. So we will be taking up your examples at both the regional and global level.”
Mr Matsheza said it is good to see confidence in the government being brought back in post-conflict Solomon Islands and that a leadership that is considered highly accountable is in place.
He said they had been talking to their colleagues in Solomon Islands, bilateral missions in the country as well as the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and they have all expressed appreciation for the healing process that has taken place in the country and how things are moving forward.
Prime Minister Sogavare in turn thanked the UNDP analysts for calling on him and sharing their observation of the positive developments that have taken place in the country.
He commended the UNDP for the significant role they are playing in assisting with the implementation of various government programmes.
The Prime Minister said Solomon Islands has moved in a big way from the year 2000 when the country collapsed in the ethnic crisis and if it is to move forward, it must address the reason behind the problem.
He said the ethnic crisis was a wake-up call to the government to decentralise development and it would be grossly irresponsible of it to take the call lightly.
Prime Minister Sogavare also used the opportunity to inform the UNDP analysts of the progress the Democratic Coalition for Change Government has made in terms of the proposed establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption.
“The Anti-corruption bill being worked on by my government will be tabled in Parliament in the first quarter of 2016 and we are looking forward for its enactment,” he said.
– PM’s Press Secretariat
