United Nations begins second phase of peacebuilding project in Solomon Islands

This phase, "Consolidating Peace, Stability and Social Cohesion in Solomon Islands Post RAMSI 2018", is again being jointly implemented by UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). RAMSI, or Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, is a partnership between Solomon Islands and 15 Pacific countries to lay the foundations for the country's long-term stability, security and prosperity.

With funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, the new United Nations project aims to support sustaining peace in the immediate post-RAMSI and election period. This will include creating space for dialogue among key stakeholders, including women and youth; supporting structures within and outside of government that continue dialogue; and supporting actions addressing conflict triggers. The 18-month project lasts until June 2019.

In a speech launching the project on 28 February, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Rick Hou said that peacebuilding is about speeding up development, getting everyone to participate, and building the nation.

"We surely cannot have peace at the national level if some of our communities are left behind," he said. "Nobody should be left behind. This is our international commitment and it is our government's commitment."

Osnat Lubrani, United Nations Resident Coordinator, said the new project builds on work done in the last two years during the first phase, which created space for dialogue at both provincial and national levels among women's groups, youths, religious leaders, chiefs, government officials, Members of Parliament, academia and civil society.

"Sustaining peace is sustaining development in the country," Ms. Lubrani said. "This is an ambitious but also an exciting agenda."

UN Women's Solomon Islands Country Programme Coordinator, Alvina Erekali, emphasised the importance of creating space for dialogue within the peacebuilding process.

"We are pleased to support this programme that builds on the Government's national peacebuilding policy and its ongoing efforts to promote women's leadership and women's rights in partnership with UN Women," said Ms Erekali.

"Part of our commitment to support this programme is to provide further technical support to the Government's response to national dialogues and to ensure a lasting inclusive space for dialogue, with a particular focus on the engagement of women and youth."

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