46 Years of Democracy for the People, by the People of Solomon Islands

On this International Day of Democracy, the Solomon Islands is celebrating the 46th anniversary of its democratic system with the theme "Democracy by the people, for the people, of the people." The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in the Solomon Islands has expressed appreciation for the Solomon Islands' democratic development and UNDP's contributions.

Heartfelt congratulations are extended to all the people of the Solomon Islands and to the various institutions that contributed to this celebration, including the Political Parties Commission, the Political Parties Registration Office, the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption, Transparency International Solomon Islands, and the National Parliament. The roots of democracy lie in the ancient Greek words "Demos" and "Kratos," representing "people" and "power or rule," respectively, echoing this year's theme. The combination of these two words gave birth to a revolutionary idea that has inspired countless generations: the destiny of a nation lies in its own hands.

This is also true of the Solomon Islands today, where the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) is tasked with the grand mission of uniting and transforming the nation. UNDP supports the democratic vision of unity and transformation, which is deeply rooted in our mandate. We firmly believe that democratic institutions can be the foundation for peace, prosperity, equality, and inclusion. We consistently emphasize that well-functioning democratic institutions can give voice to the people and their aspirations.

Our collaboration with the Solomon Islands government and key integrity institutions demonstrates our commitment to the democratic process. Projects such as the "Strengthening Electoral Cycle in the Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP)," the "Provincial Governance and Service Delivery Project," and the "Strengthening Parliament Development in the Solomon Islands Project" support your country's vision of strengthening democracy by the people, for the people, of the people. A highlight of this year's democratic journey was the successful election held on April 17, which was supported by SECSIP, a flagship project that UNDP has been working on since 2013 to strengthen the democratic process. SECSIP is now in its third phase, providing technical assistance, logistical support, and capacity building to electoral institutions. The Solomon Islands Electoral Operations Centre, which was inaugurated last year, is a testament to these ongoing efforts.

We also work with legal experts, community leaders, and civil society in the provinces to support the government in reaching consensus on improving electoral laws, particularly through the Provincial Government (Amendment) Bill, the Provincial Assemblies and Honiara City Council Bill, and the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, thereby facilitating this year's joint elections. In addition, we have partnered with women's organizations, including the National and Provincial Women's Councils, and helped establish the Solomon Islands Women in Leadership Network. The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy (2022-2024), approved last year, is a milestone in expanding women's voices and strengthening their participation in the democratic process.

At the provincial level, we support the government in strengthening decentralization through the Provincial Governance and Service Delivery Project, emphasizing the importance of partnerships at the provincial level, while mainstreaming gender equality to ensure equal opportunities in accessing services and participating in decision-making processes, and leveraging technology and innovative approaches. By working together, we hope to improve governance, service delivery, climate resilience, and citizen participation in the provinces, with the ultimate goal of building a more inclusive and resilient society. Following the elections, we partnered with Parliament to support the induction of the 50 members of the 12th Parliament, including newly elected and re-elected members. The week-long training program focused on topics such as separation of powers, the role of Parliament, engagement with marginalized groups such as women and youth, and media relations, ensuring that parliamentarians are well-equipped to fulfill their responsibilities and uphold democratic values during their term.

As UNDP, we work with the Government of the Solomon Islands, integrity institutions, and civil society, as well as international partners including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to these partners for their continued trust and cooperation, and to the Government of the Solomon Islands for its trust in UNDP, enabling it to contribute to these meaningful efforts. Together, we will shape a future that truly gives voice to the vision of unity, inclusion, and shared prosperity for the people, achieving democracy by the people, for the people, of the people.