The Coconut Inquirer

24/08/2024

Learn about the mandates of our country's development planners..

17/08/2024

30/07/2024

16/07/2024

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Solomon Islands emphasized the pressing need for strengthened global partnerships and increased climate finance to address the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) during a high-level panel discussion on the margins of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York.

Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination Hon. Rexon Ramofafia highlighted the interconnected structural challenges that SIDS face, including vulnerabilities to climate change, narrow-based economies, geographical dispersion, and susceptibility to global economic shocks and conflicts.

Hon. Ramofafia noted that these factors undermine the ability of SIDS to achieve economic prosperity and hinder the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"For the Solomon Islands, our National Development Strategy 2016-2035 serves as the key framework to achieve our national development priorities and address climate change. Our climate change adaptation and mitigation priorities are further articulated in our national climate change policy, nationally determined contribution, and low emissions development strategy," Hon. Ramofafia stated.

Highlighting the importance of partnerships, Ramofafia called for enduring and genuine collaboration with international partners, including the United Nations.

"Partnerships are critical as SIDS transition to green and digital economies. However, these partnerships must be nationally coordinated and tailored to meet our national needs and priorities," he emphasized.

Addressing the issue of climate finance, Hon. Ramofafia urged for increased financing through aid modalities, ensuring accessible, flexible, concessional, and predictable funding that jointly address climate change and development needs because our vulnerability to climate change is deeply rooted in our development challenges.

"Our estimate for critical infrastructure and investments to support our graduation from LDC status stands at about US$4 billion. Mobilizing all forms of finances including climate finance is pivotal for us and other SIDS," he stressed.

Furthermore, the MNPDC Minister called for enhanced partnerships for infrastructure development, particularly in funding resilient infrastructure that can withstand climate impacts and disasters. This includes building robust transportation networks, energy grids, communication systems, and establishing early warning systems.

"By leveraging these strategies and support mechanisms, SIDS can effectively navigate the climate crisis while accelerating the shift to a green and digital economy," Hon. Ramofafia concluded.

-𝘔𝘕𝘗𝘋𝘊 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢@𝘏𝘓𝘗𝘍,𝘕𝘠

16/07/2024

16/07/2024

𝐒𝐈 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐍 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐈𝐆 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤

Over the weekend, the Solomon Islands Mission to the United Nations hosted a post-independence celebration with the Solomon Islands delegation and Solomon Islanders residing in New York.

The event commemorated the country’s 46th Independence Anniversary. A small group of Solomon Islanders gathered at the Mission Office to honor this milestone.
Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), Hon. Rexon Ramofafia, delivered a short reflection on the nation’s growth, achievements, and challenges. He emphasized the importance of unity and collective effort in building a stronger Solomon Islands.

“Our country needs you, needs everyone to work together to build our nation and move it forward. The government has set a 100-day policy, and achieving this requires collaboration among the private sector, our development partners, NGOs, CSOs, and other stakeholders,” Hon. Ramofafia stated.

“As we are about to graduate from LDC status in 2027, it is crucial that we all put our efforts together to see our economy grow and ensure services are delivered to our people.”

The celebration concluded with a delightful sharing of food and drinks, fostering a warm sense of community and solidarity among everyone present.

The SIG delegation, including the head of delegation and MNPDC Minister Hon. Ramofafia, PS Dr. Melchior Mataki, and two other staff members, are in New York to attend the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). They will present the Solomon Islands Voluntary National Review (VNR) report for 2024 .

Hon. Ramofafia is scheduled to present the VNR country statement on Tuesday, highlighting the progress made by the government in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

- MNPDC Media@HLPF, NY
ENDS///

23/03/2024

08/03/2024

01/02/2024

Congratulations MCC for reaching the 20 Years milestone. Also SIG for the partnership!👏

The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), on behalf of the Solomon Islands 🇸🇧 Government (SIG) sincerely congratulates the Millennium Challenge Corporation - MCC for the 20-year journey in reducing poverty through economic growth.

MNPDC was appointed as MCC’s primary counterpart on behalf of SIG on the USD $20 million MCC Solomon Islands Threshold Program (SITHP) grant signed ✍️ in early 2022🤝. Its primary aim is at supporting the national government reduce poverty and increase economic growth in the country.

Two project components are currently on the implementation phase under the MCC SITHP. They are; the Forest Value Enhancement Project (FoVEP) 🌳 and the Accessing Land for Tourism Investment Facilitation (ALTIF) Project🏝️. The MCC-SITHP is working in close collaboration with government ministries and other implementing partners to implement program activities.

Viru Harbour community in Western Province becomes the first beneficiary under the FoVEP project. The program assist the community preserve their forests from destructive logging practices, while at the same time earn money through carbon trading initiatives.🌲💰

NaFinua Island in East Makira has also been confirmed as the first location for the MCC- SITHP under the ALTIF project component. SITHP is supporting the construction of a luxury resort on the island of NaFinua. 🏨✨

These MCC’s initiatives are very well align to the delivery and achievement of the National Development Strategy (NDS 2016-2035) as the strategic roadmap of the country.

MCC is a bilateral United States 🇺🇸 foreign aid agency established by the U.S. Congress in 2004.

@20 🇸🇧🇺🇸✊

05/06/2023

SI NDS Review..

15/04/2023

25/12/2022

🎄𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬⭐️

Our heartfelt and warm Christmas greetings to you all, both at home and abroad as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.✨

19/12/2022

𝐌𝐍𝐏𝐃𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) is undertaking initial preparations towards the review of the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-2035.

This is one of the Ministry’s key activities for 2023, in addition to a number of important reforms the Ministry will be undertaking in 2023.

In a statement, MNPDC said the purpose of the review is to analyse the performance of NDS in terms of the achievements of the five objectives and the vision at the outcome and impact levels.

The review will also be conducted to analyse the relevance of the NDS and make amendments to address new and emerging issues.

It will also be conducted to identify success and add value, identify gaps and opportunities for improvement in terms of alignment, monitoring and evaluation.

MNPDC Permanent Secretary, Ms. Susan Sulu told the recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Hearing that the ministry was unable to undertake the review in the first half of the year due to capacity constraints.

“But hopefully, with the full force of capacity in 2023, we will undertake that,” Ms. Sulu said.

MNPDC is currently working closely with development partners on this course, in particular the New Zealand Government through the New Zealand High Commission Office in Honiara and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through the Governance for Resilient Development (Gov4Res) Project to support the review of NDS.

The five objectives of the NDS are (1) Sustained and inclusive economic growth, (2) Poverty alleviated across the Solomon Islands, (3) Access to quality health and education (4) Resilient and environmentally sustainable development with effective disaster risk management, response and recovery, and (5) Unified nation with stable and effective governance and public order.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted that another key activity that the ministry is undertaking is on the development of an information system database.

Having this database will strengthen the work of MNPDC and sister line ministries to accurately reflect Donor and Development Partners support.

Another key reform is the Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Analysis (MESA) national consultations currently going on.

“We are progressing on these undertakings, as well as undertaking MESA to help us develop a capacity development plan to improve Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning capacity across the Government machinery,” Ms. Sulu said.

MNPDC is also working on other key reforms - the review of the Planning Manual and the White Paper for the new Planning Bill to be approved by cabinet in 2023.

© 𝘔𝘕𝘗𝘋𝘊 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴

19/12/2022

𝐌𝐍𝐏𝐃𝐂 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤-𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) and development partners are taking important steps on risk-informed development to make sure resilience is always at the core.

MNPDC Permanent Secretary (PS), Susan Sulu said ensuring the integration and a clear recognition of risk-informed development process is very important.

The MNPDC PS highlighted that her ministry is working closely with development partners to develop risk-screening tools, and as well as integrate consideration into the planning and budgeting process.

“MNPDC is taking important steps to ensure that development across Solomon Islands is risk-informed.”

Ms Sulu said the launch of Roadmap for Improving to Climate Finance recently, shows that the government and development partners are working collaboratively to implement the recommendations set out in the Solomon Islands Climate Change and Disaster Risk Finance Assessment Report that was launched five to six years ago.

PS Sulu encouraged all stakeholders and partners to implement the recommendations and the direction the roadmap has set as it is very important.
While congratulating the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT), the UNDP Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific (Gov4Res) project and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) on driving this very important work forward, Ms Sulu said risk-informing the planning process, and risk informing the policy formulation process and decision making are important.

Minister of Finance and Treasury (MoFT), Hon. Harry Kuma emphasized that the impacts of climate change and disaster risks remain a top priority for the government and these are clearly articulated in Policy frameworks such as National Development Strategies, National Adaptation Plans, Solomon Islands Climate Change Policy, Disaster Management plans, and so on.

“Solomon Islands alone cannot response effectively without accessing global climate finances to support its interventions. Unlocking access to these funds is very important and I urge development partners, line ministries, NGOs and the private sector that our collaborations is very important for a resilient Solomon Islands,” Hon. Kuma said.

MoFT Permanent Secretary McKinnie Dentana emphasized that MoFT, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) and MNPDC are working in partnership to promote cohesion across sectors and through all national development planning and financing, to ensure resilience is at the core.

Mr Dentana also thank PIFS and UNDP Gov4Res project for supporting SIG in developing this 5-year climate finance roadmap.

“Umi together for a Resilient Solomon Islands,” said PS Dentana.

© 𝘔𝘕𝘗𝘋𝘊 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴

01/12/2022

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦.

🇸🇧

01/12/2022

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

🇸🇧

Learn More➡️ https://solomons.gov.sb/ministry-of-national-planning-and-development-coordination/

12/11/2022

Solomon Islanders, please go and follow this page to know about your government, its engagements, plans and achievements.

📣𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐔𝐬📌

We deliver services through six divisions. Follow us to know about our engagements, plans, activities and more...

🇸🇧

04/10/2022

𝐌𝐍𝐏𝐃𝐂 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐏𝐆 𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐃𝐏 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞

The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) handed over a Toyota Land Cruiser to the Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) during a brief handover ceremony at the Guadalcanal Province Headquarters in Honiara on Tuesday 3rd October, 2022.

The vehicle was part of assets from the Rural Development Programme (RDP) which was implemented by the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) through the MNPDC, with the program team, development partners, provincial governments and rural communities.
MNPDC handed over the vehicle to GPG as RDP has come to a closure as of 30th September, 2022, significantly reaching a milestone of 14 years of implementation since phase 1 and now phase 2.

MNPDC Permanent Secretary (Ag) Roy Mae said, GPG has been identified as one of the important stakeholders that RDP has worked with over the many years that the program had been implemented, and has been very supportive of the program.

“Therefore, we are pleased to handover this vehicle to you. I would like to encourage you to take good care of this asset and put it to good use in many more years to come to achieve the province’s development aspirations and programs, as well as to overcome the challenges that you are facing at the moment,” the Acting PS, Mae says.

Mr Mae also acknowledged and thanked the partners who contributed funding towards RDP and made its implementation possible. This includes; The Australian Government (DFAT), The European Union (EU), The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), The World Bank (WB) and SIG.

In acknowledging the very good work of the RDP program during the brief hand over, PS (Acting) Mr. Mae also acknowledged RDP program management. He states: “I would like to commend the Program Manager of the RDP and his staff for a job well done in ensuring the successful implementation and completion of the program.”

Guadalcanal Premier, Honourable Francis Sade acknowledged SIG through MNPDC for the timely handing over of the vehicle. He said the current GPG executive has been faced with a lot of challenges and one is on logistics.
“Logistics is one of our challenges that we have been faced with over the last couple of months. We are blessed that you make the decision to give us this vehicle,” he said.
The Premier also acknowledge the work RDP has done in the province, and said his executive is happy

09/09/2022

MALAITA PROVINCE ON TOVOSIA’S PARLIAMENT DEBATE

The Office of the Premier,
Malaita Province,
Auki
September 9th 2022

In light of Tovosia’s controversial parliament debate where he challenged people to return to their places. A challenge that is believed to be directed at the people of Malaita.

A number of the MARA Malaita Province Executive held an urgent meeting today in Auki on the matter and issue this statement.

That it is the overwhelming belief of the MARA government that what was said by Hon Tovosia on the floor of parliament during his debate on the controversial Constitutional Amendment bill is a continuation of what other prominent Solomon Islanders have also said in the past about the Malaita people.

However, in this case, the call is being made in the National Parliament and that is of great concern.

According to premier Suidani and his executive, what was said by Tovosia being a senior minister in the DCGA coalition government could not just be a careless slip of the tongue. It should be seen as a reflection of the national government’s treatment of Malaita province and its people.

Similarly, it would be a mistake to think that the sentiment uttered by Hon Tovosia is not being targeted at Malaitans. What we have seen was a direct assault on Malaita province and its people which is nothing less than ethnic profiling of Malaita people.

In light of this, the premier calls on the government to address the issues that were submitted in the log of claims given to the government during the second appointed day in August last month.

The 28 days period given to the national government to respond to the 15 points claims will lapse on Monday the 12th of September 2022 which is Monday next week.
I would like to make it clear to the DCGA Government that if my government does not receive any responses to the claims that we submitted on the 15th of August.

Claims that the DCGA government themselves requested us to put together and submit, then my MARA government will decide on the next appropriate form of actions we will take in light of the government’s nonresponsiveness to the claims. Stated premier Suidani.

Finally, the premier would like to call on all the peace-loving people of Malaita province to keep a positive attitude in light of the provocative sentiments that were said in parliament by Tovosia.

Let us be united as one people despite the label any high-ranking government minister would like to put on us.
//end//

15/08/2022

Dr Jerry Siota, remember this?

24/06/2022

𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐒𝐂 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐬

Shark Guardian investigators have been busy digging out evidence of systematic shark finning taking place in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). What they dug out is nothing less than shocking.

The investigation is based on a review of fishery observer data sets for the years 2017-2021 obtained from the Fijian National Observers Programme (FJOB), the Solomon Islands National Observers programme (SBOB) and the PNA Observer Agency (POA), as well as subsequent in-country investigations conducted by Shark Guardian researchers.

𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:

● Shark finning

● Fishing boats deliberately setting their nets around schools of tuna associated with
live whales or whale sharks

● Inappropriate treatment of Species of Special Interest (SSI), including cetaceans and whale sharks caught inside nets and landed on deck dead or dying due to negligence

● A helicopter illegally dumped at sea

● Violations of observer rights

● Fishing on highly environmentally destructive Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) during specified FAD closure period

● High grading (discarding the on-board catch to make room for better quality, larger
size fish or for more marketable species)

● Discrepancies in daily catch and effort reporting by the vessel

More Information and Pictures Here: https://www.sharkguardian.org/post/slipping-through-the-net