This week, Ms. Helen Clark, the former New Zealand Prime Minister and former UNDP Administrator begins her visit to Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Ms. Clark is in Honiara at the invitation of UNDP to engage with youths as well as provide support to women’s political participation in view of the upcoming National General Elections. 

Ms. Clark will be opening the National Women's Leadership workshop where various women leaders from the different Provinces and intending women candidates will take part. Ms. Clark will be sharing her experiences and will be speaking on “Inclusion and equality: Why women’s political leadership matters”

Ms. Clark will also be present at the National Youth Policy Launch, where the Hon. Prime Minister and the Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs will be present to launch. After the launch, Ms. Clark will have the opportunity to dialogue with young people and to talk about their role and potential in cementing peace and promoting sustainable development in Solomon Islands.

Taking advantage of her visit, Ms. Clark will also be engaged in various side events with the Political parties, the Private sector as well as various bilateral meetings. 

Ms. Clark will be in Honiara until the 23rd of August. Ms. Helen Clark was Prime Minister of New Zealand for three successive terms from 1999–2008. She was the first woman to be elected as Prime Minister in New Zealand.

In April 2009, Ms. Helen Clark became Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She was the first woman to lead the organisation, and served two terms. At the same time, she was Chair of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), a committee consisting of all UN funds, programs, agencies, and departments working on development issues. As Administrator, she led UNDP to be ranked the most transparent global development organisation. She completed her tenure in 2017.

Ms. Clark continues to be a strong voice for sustainable development, climate action, gender equality and women’s leadership, peace and justice, and action on non-communicable diseases and on HIV.