The National Parliament of Solomon Islands on Friday marked a major milestone in its digital transformation journey.
This came following the official handover of new ICT equipment under the Strengthening Legislatures’ Capacity in Pacific Island Countries (SLIP) Phase II Project at Paul Tovua Complex.
The ceremony was attended by the Honourable Speaker Patteson John Oti, Chairpersons and Members of the ten Parliamentary Standing Select Committees, His Excellency Mr. Higuchi Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan, and Ms. Raluca Eddon, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative.
Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), SLIP Phase II supports six Pacific parliaments to modernize and strengthen their institutional capacity.
This initial handover includes ten desktop computers and one server—valued at approximately USD 13,000—to be installed in the offices of the ten Standing Select Committee Chairpersons.
In his remarks, the Honourable Speaker, Patterson Oti said the handover aligns with Parliament’s Strategic Plan, which prioritizes modernization, improved service delivery, and institutional strengthening.
“Through partnerships such as this, we are translating our aspirations for a transparent, accountable, and efficient Parliament into practical progress,” he said.
“This support will enhance our infrastructure, empower our Members and staff to work digitally, and ensure continued operations even in times of disruption.”
Ambassador Higuchi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to democratic governance in the Pacific, noting that the initiative marks only the beginning of broader digital cooperation.
“What is important is not the hardware itself, but the transformation it enables—improving legislative review, information sharing, and coordination,” he said.
Japan has committed a total of USD 6 million to SLIP Phase II and plans to provide additional ICT equipment in early 2026, guided by a comprehensive ICT development plan currently being finalized.
Ms. Eddon of UNDP emphasized that investing in digital capacity is central to building resilient and inclusive governance.
“Strong, modern, and inclusive parliaments are the cornerstone of resilient democracies,” she said. “By investing in digital infrastructure and capacity-building, we are helping to build a more transparent, accountable, and participatory future for the people of Solomon Islands.”
The ten Standing Committees—including Public Accounts, Bills and Legislation, Education, Health, Environment, and Foreign Relations—play a critical role in parliamentary oversight and lawmaking.
The ICT upgrade will strengthen their efficiency through hybrid meetings, secure digital document handling, and improved public access to legislative processes.
In closing, Clerk to Parliament Mr. Jefferson Hallu highlighted upcoming digital transformation phases, including finalizing the ICT development plan, expanding infrastructure, launching an internal intranet system, and scaling up training programs.
The National Parliament expresses its sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan, UNDP, and all partners for their continued support in modernizing parliamentary operations and strengthening democracy in Solomon Islands.
-NPSI
