The Solomon Islands Government and its development partners came together in Honiara for the Development and Partnerships Summit 2026, focused on turning national priorities into concrete action that leads to measurable improvements in the lives of Solomon Islanders.
Opening the Summit, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Honourable Matthew Wale outlined the GREAT Coalition Government’s ambition for a more prosperous, resilient, inclusive and well-governed Solomon Islands, calling on development partners to match the Government’s ambition and align their support with nationally determined priorities.
The Prime Minister highlighted priorities including free education, affordable energy, stronger institutions, responsible decentralization, infrastructure, good governance and transforming the economy from exporting raw materials towards greater domestic processing and manufacturing—creating jobs and opportunities, particularly for young people.
“To you our development partners, I say plainly, Solomon Islands wants to be a reliable partner, a dependable one.”
The United Nations Resident Coordinator to Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, Dirk Wagener, called for development to be measured not simply by the number of projects delivered, but by the difference they make in people’s lives.
“Development cannot ultimately be measured by the number of projects we launch, workshops we organise, or agreements we sign. It must be measured by whether a young person can find a decent job; whether a woman can build a business and participate equally in economic life; whether children receive a quality education; whether communities in the provinces can access essential services; and whether families can look to the future with greater security and opportunity.”
The Summit brings together Government, development partners, the UN, civil society and the private sector to identify opportunities for better-coordinated development financing and practical actions to accelerate implementation.
The United Nations and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade supported the Summit, with UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji supporting its convening.
