The United Nations Assistant Secretary General (UN ASG), UNDP Assistant Administrator and UNDP Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Kanni Wignaraja met with the Hon. Prime Minister, Manasseh Damukana Sogavare yesterday.
Ms. Wignaraja was accompanied by UNDP Resident Representative, Pacific Office, Ms. Munkhtuya (Tuya) Altangerel.
Ms. Wignaraja expressed her gratitude for the Government of Solomon Islands’
steadfast commitment to sustainable development and strong cooperation with the
United Nations system, and specifically UNDP.
The discussions focused on UNDP’s and Government’s common priorities in
addressing the multidimensional development challenges faced by Solomon Islands, which are further compounded by climate change and socio-economic impacts of COVID-19.
Ms. Wignaraja expressed her desire to further enhance UNDP’s partnership with the
government to achieve national development priorities. Ms. Wignaraja also elaborated on UNDP’s new Country Programming Cycle for 2023-2027 and its alignment with Solomon Islands’ own national development priorities.
The UN ASG and the Prime Minister reaffirmed their commitment to work together to strengthen peace and reconciliation, electoral support, promote local governance and area-based development, preparation for Least Development Country (LDC)
graduation, accelerate climate change action, expand access to renewable energy,
disaster risk management and resilience and digital transformation.
Ms. Wignaraja commended the government’s preparations for the 2024 elections,
recognizing the logistical complexities of conducting two elections simultaneously.
The UN ASG congratulated Solomon Islands for hosting the Pacific Games,
expressing hope that this occasion would foster national unity and create new
prospects, particularly for the youth of Solomon Islands.
Source: Press Release, UNDP Solomon Islands