1 May 2013
Annual talks for the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership for Development
Solomon Islands and Australia have agreed to an enhanced Partnership for Development at today’s high level aid partnership talks in Honiara.
The expanded Partnership now covers justice services, support for elections and strengthened support for public sector management. This reflects the transition of RAMSI development programs to the Australian aid program, which takes place from 1 July 2013.
This support complements ongoing efforts through the Partnership to improve the delivery of health and education services, promote rural development, support transport infrastructure and maintain macroeconomic stability.
Leading the Solomon Islands delegation, Minister for Development, Planning and Aid Coordination, the Hon. Connelly Sandakabatu, welcomed the enhanced Partnership.
“I wish to reiterate our strong commitment to work closely with Australia within the spirit and principles of our Partnership for Development; those of mutual respect and mutual responsibility,” Minister Sandakabatu said.
Minister Sandakabatu also committed to working with ministries to improve data collection, transparency of budget expenditure, and alignment of budget allocations to agreed priorities.
“We will continue to improve transparency and accountability to ensure the resources of both Solomon Islands and Australia are used effectively and for their intended purpose”, he said.
AusAID Director General, Mr Peter Baxter, who led the Australian delegation, said the enhanced Partnership reflects Australia’s strong commitment to Solomon Islands.
“The Partnership for Development is the bedrock of our aid relationship. Through the Partnership, Australia’s assistance is directed where it’s most needed – in support of the Solomon Islands Government’s priorities as outlined in the National Development Strategy,” Mr Baxter said.
“We are pleased to be able to maintain the gains of former RAMSI development programs under the longer-term Partnership”, he said.
Mr Baxter said the transition process of moving programs in justice, governance and electoral management to the Partnership has been a valuable exercise.
“The redesign of programs has allowed us to reassess our priorities. We have been able to discuss new and better ways of working together to help all Solomon Islanders, such as reforming aspects of human resources and financial management across our programs,” he said.
The talks also provided a forum for partners to discuss progress and achievements of the Partnership in 2012 such as the reduction in malaria cases from 199 per 1000 in 2003 to fewer than 45 per 1000; and improved access to services and markets through the maintenance on 344 km of roads.
At the talks, Australia and the Solomon Islands governments set ambitious targets for the year ahead through the Partnership, including increasing funding to primary education and improving literacy levels.
Partners also agreed to work in health to provide more resources to provincial health posts and to provide an additional 10 000 rural people with access to safe water and basic sanitation.
In 2013, the partners will focus the justice program on improved court case management, addressing human resource issues and expanding legal aid and community-level dispute management services. Australia will also continue to support the Solomon Islands Government implement the SAFENET program to help victims of gender-based violence.
Over the coming year, the Partnership will provide more than 12 000 farmers with agricultural training. Australia will work together with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands to ensure 30 000 people have access to sustainable, affordable and sound financial services. Australian funding will also continue to assist with the maintenance of the road network, and improve the water supply in Honiara by supporting Solomon Water.
Australia remains the biggest donor to Solomon Islands, providing more than SBD1 billion in development assistance each year.