Solomon Islands launches a US$3 million peacebuilding programme supporting constitutional reform, decentralisation and inclusive governance.
The Solomon Islands Government today officially launched the Peacebuilding Fund Programme, a 24-month initiative aimed at strengthening peace, social cohesion, inclusive governance and decentralisation across all nine provinces.
Speaking at the launch in Honiara, Hon. George Temahua, Minister for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs, said the programme comes at a “significant time” in the country’s peacebuilding and constitutional reform journey.
“The Townsville Peace Agreement, signed in November 2000, was an important milestone. More than two decades later, we continue to draw important lessons from that experience,” Minister Temahua said. “One of those lessons is that lasting peace requires more than resolving immediate conflict. It requires us to address the underlying political, social and economic issues that can create tensions within our society.”
The US$3 million programme, approved in 2025, will run from April 2026 to April 2028. It is jointly delivered by UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women, with UNDP as lead convenor, in close partnership with the Government of Solomon Islands.
Minister Temahua said the purpose of the investment is to support Solomon Islands to “seize the renewed momentum around constitutional reform and decentralisation” and to ensure the process is “transparent, accountable, inclusive and evidence-based.”
The programme will provide technical assistance to the Constitutional Reform Unit, the Constituent Assembly, and other institutions. It will also generate evidence on decentralisation options appropriate for Solomon Islands, and examine issues relating to rights, resources and gender-responsive governance.
“Effective decentralisation is also about rebuilding and strengthening the social contract between the people and the state,” the Minister said. “Our people want improved services. They want development that reaches their communities. They want their voices to be heard.”
The programme will support initiatives at provincial, constituency and ward levels and will assist in the implementation of the Constituency Development Fund Act 2023, with a focus on inclusive and gender-responsive planning through Constituency Development Committees.
Minister Temahua emphasised that women and youth must be central to the process.
“Women are not simply beneficiaries. They are leaders, community organisers, peacebuilders and decision-makers. Our youth have an important role to play in shaping the future of Solomon Islands,” he said.
The programme will also promote public awareness and country-wide dialogues through radio, TV, SMS and social media to ensure people across all provinces can participate in shaping reform decisions.
Minister Temahua acknowledged the support of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund and the partnership of UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women. He also thanked the New Zealand Government for its complementary contribution toward a national peacebuilding and governance perception survey.
“The United Nations and our development partners can provide technical expertise and resources. But the reform choices must be informed by the people of Solomon Islands and led through our national institutions,” he said.
“The success of this programme should be measured by whether it helps us build stronger institutions, improve public trust, and create governance arrangements that better respond to the needs of our people,” Minister Temahua added.
He concluded by calling for continued partnership in the spirit of “transparency, accountability, inclusion and national ownership” and urged all Solomon Islanders to use this opportunity to build a more peaceful, inclusive and united nation.
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