LocationsUN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific meets with Solomon Islands Prime Minister to Strengthen Cooperation
October 9, 2023
From left: UNDP Pacific Resident Representative, Munkhtuya Altangerel, Solomon Islands' Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, and UN ASG and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Kanni Wignaraja.
Honiara, Solomin Islands - The United Nations Assistant Secretary General (UN ASG), UNDP Assistant Administrator and UNDP Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Kanni Wignaraja met with Hon. Prime Minister Manasseh Damukana Sogavare on Monday. Ms. Wignaraja was accompanied by UNDP Pacific Resident Representative, 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.
For more information or media inquiries please contact:
Daniel C. Gonzalez, Communications Specialist, UNDP Solomon Islands Office, daniel.calderon.gonzalez@undp.org +677 7740 740 / +34 656 565 270
