MNPDC Minister, Hon. Peter Kenilorea Junior, speaks at the Summit. Minister Kenilorea and UN Resident Coordinator, H.E. Dirk Wagener, co-chaired the Summit.
Development Partners Summit to become an annual event
The Development Partners Summit that concluded in Honiara last week will become an annual event.
The one-day Summit that was successfully hosted in Honiara on 17th August has provided a platform for bilateral development partners in Honiara and other development partners who joined online, government ministries and agencies, academia, civil society, Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) to sit down and strengthen coordination, partnership and alignment of development assistance with Solomon Islands’ national priorities.
The Summit was co-hosted by the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) and the United Nations (UN).
Prime Minister, Hon. Mathew Wale, delivered the keynote address which set the tone for discussions around partnerships and the way forward.
Speaking during the Summit at the Heritage Park Hotel, MNPDC Minister, Hon. Peter Kenilorea Junior, outlined the GREAT coalition government’s development priorities.
Among other things, Minister Kenilorea informed the summit that the government intends to properly resource institutions like the existing anti-corruption body so it can perform its statutory functions.
It also plans to establish a National Human Rights Commission or similar institution. The government also plans to ensure there is financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislature.
Minister Kenilorea said adding value to raw products before export is a central economic policy of the GREAT coalition having learned the lessons from the round-log forestry model.
He also highlighted the government’s free education policy being the GREAT coalition’s flagship investment.
Minister Kenilorea said this investment is not only a social service but an economic priority.
The MNPDC Minister said the GREAT coalition prefer partnership framework that is centred on “shared wins” where the Solomon Islands decide where resources are needed most with support from development partners in line with local systems.
Minister Kenilorea encouraged development stakeholders and partners to commit to genuine dialogue and coordinated action as the nation navigates this crucial transitional period.
Officials and representatives from development partners, stakeholders, civil society, government ministries and agencies who attended the summit in Honiara.
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