RAMSI's Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, today congratulated Nauru on the celebration of its Independence Day, noting the valuable role it played as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
Nauru, which celebrates its national day today, is one of 15 Pacific Island Forum nations that contribute to RAMSI. Mr Wilson thanked the people of Nauru for their important contribution, saying that the involvement from the 21-square kilometre island nation was much more than just a symbolic one."I extend sincere congratulations and appreciation to the people of Nauru as they celebrate their Independence Day," said Mr Wilson. "Nauruans past and present have contributed to making Solomon Islands a safer place. Their policing experience has helped with the rebuilding of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF)."
There are currently three Nauruan police serving with RAMSI's Participating Police Force (PPF), whose primary role is to build the long-term capacity of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. Nauru has been a part of RAMSI since its inception in July 2003.
With a population of around 10,000 people, the nation's contribution is a proportionately generous one. The countries that make up the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.