PM Matthew Wale meets G7+ leaders to strengthen Solomon Islands’ chairmanship, peacebuilding, economic development and advocacy
PRIME Minister Matthew Wale today met with the secretariat of the G7+ at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC).
Discussions were centred on strengthening Solomon Islands’ leadership of the organisation and expanding its role in peace building, mediation, economic development and international advocacy.
The G7+ General Secretary Dr. Helder da Costa congratulated Solomon Islands on assuming the chairmanship of G7+ and praised Prime Minister Wale’s leadership on his international engagements.
He also outlined opportunities for Solomon Islands to use its chairmanship to advance the interests of G7+ members, including through greater engagement at the United Nations and strengthening the organisation’s observer status.
Prime Minister Wale welcomed the engagement stating that Solomon Islands could benefit significantly from greater cooperation and experience sharing among G7+ members.
He also reflected on Solomon Islands’ own experience with conflict, peace building and transitional justice.
Prime Minister Wale also emphasised the need for the G7+ to gradually build its capacity and credibility rather than taking on more than it can manage.
He said the organisation has the potential to provide an important platform for countries facing conflict and political challenges to engage in dialogue rather than violence.
The Prime Minister also highlighted Solomon Islands’ interest in learning from Timor-Leste’s experience in managing natural-resource revenues, including through its sovereign wealth fund, as the country considers how to ensure its mineral and natural resources contribute to long-term national development.
Dr da Costa welcomed Solomon Islands’ priorities and expressed confidence that the country’s chairmanship could help strengthen the organisation’s international visibility, peer-to-peer cooperation and role as an “agent of peace.”
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to work closely together during Solomon Islands’ G7+ chairmanship.
Solomon Islands is expected to hold high-level meetings with the G7+ in New York on the margins of the United Nation General Assembly later this year.
SOURCE//: Prime Minister Office Press Release
