The Speaker of Parliament Hon Patteson Oti met in a virtual dialogue with Chairman Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, on Wednesday 2 June 2021.
The virtual meeting took place at the Chinese embassy where the Speaker and the Chairman discussed various issues including bilateral cooperation between legislative institutions, climate change, covid -19 and poverty alleviation.
On Climate change, the Speaker echoed the threat of climate change to the livelihood, security and wellbeing of Solomon islanders and the urgent need for the Government, Parliament, Bilateral partners and stakeholders to all work together – for the effective planning and implementation of appropriate climate change adaptation and mitigation actions.
Whilst acknowledging the People’s Republic of China for supporting the Solomon Islands in its fight against the covid -19 pandemic, Speaker highlighted the importance of ensuring that small parliaments have the technical capacity to support its Committees and the Plenary – particularly in the review and oversight of Covid related legislation, regulations and covid focused budgets and expenditure.
Overall, Hon Oti welcomes inter parliamentary dialogue and Speaker led – Parliamentary Diplomacy – he stressed that “such exchanges are important, not only as means of exchanges of best practices and experiences between parliaments but also as a space that allows leaders to contribute a parliamentary perspective to global governance”.
The Speaker’s delegation at the virtual dialogue were:
• Hon Stanley Sofu – Deputy Speaker
• Hon Lilly Maefai – Chair of the Environment & Conservation Committee,
• Hon Charles Sigoto – Chair of the Health & Medical Services Committee, and
• Mr David Kusilifu – Clerk to Parliament
Also in attendance were Mr Collin Beck – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External, and Ambassador Li Ming, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Solomon Islands.
SOURCE: NATIONAL PARLIAMENT MEDIA
