Solomon Islands Minister for Development Planning & Aid Coordination, Danny Philip and the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Leonidas Tezapsidis have signed a new partnership programme to guide EU development cooperation with Solomon Isla
The EU-Solomon Islands National Indicative Programme (NIP), supported by a bilateral financial envelope of SB$360 million (US$44.7 million) from the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), will target improvements to Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) and Rural Development.
The programme has been prepared jointly by the European Union and the Government of Solomon Islands to address key development challenges in rural and urban areas of the country.
It will be complemented by the Pacific Regional Indicative Programme SBD$1.5 billion (US$186 million), as well as by actions funded under the EU global thematic programmes, such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Solomon Islands, I to wish take this opportunity to extend our deepest appreciation to the European Union for its ongoing support and now the 11th EDF support. This is a clear manifestation of EU’s increasing firm commitment to reform and improve the economy of Solomon Islands and development strategies”.
“Our aim now is to ensure that the implementation of the 11th EDF NIP resources brings about the intended results, noting that the signing of the NIP is only the beginning to its implementation. On this note, I wish to urge ALL Government agencies and development partners that will be involved in the implementation of the 11th EDF funds plus any other EU funding to ensure timely, efficient and effective implementation, recognising the importance of combined efforts for results”
"I am delighted to sign together with the Government of Solomon Islands this programming document which heralds a new era of strengthened cooperation between the European Union and Solomon Islands, supported by a fully-fledged EU Delegation in Honiara. It reflects EU's commitment to support the Government's efforts to drive forward sustainable development and to improve citizens' access to basic services", Tezapsidis said.
The Solomon Islands Government has identified WASH and Rural Development as the focal areas for support under the 11th EDF. The European Union will, in partnership with government institutions and civil society organisations, support the country's policies and programmes in these areas over the next five years.