The Prime Minister and Supervising Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Jeremiah Manele MP, this morning received a courtesy call from the Area Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) Pacific, Mr. Hamish Young at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Mr. Young to formally present his Letter of Credentials to the Prime Minister in his capacity as Supervising Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
Prime Minister Manele warmly welcomed Mr. Young to Solomon Islands and congratulated him on his new role, acknowledging UNICEF’s long-standing contribution to improving the lives of children and families in Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region.
“UNICEF has been a valued partner of Solomon Islands for many years. Your organization’s continued support, particularly in addressing the needs of our most vulnerable children, is deeply appreciated,” Prime Minister Manele said.
Prime Minister Manele specifically commended UNICEF’s rapid humanitarian response following the severe flooding that affected parts of the country last month. The floods impacted nearly 200,000 Solomon Islanders, including approximately 40,000 children, and caused significant damage to schools, clinics, roads, and food gardens.
Through its emergency response, UNICEF supported education continuity in the hardest-hit areas of Guadalcanal by establishing temporary learning spaces and providing essential learning materials. This assistance enabled 162 students from Kokona Primary School and Chapuria Community High School to continue their education despite damage to their school facilities.
He highlighted, climate change is not a distant challenge but a daily reality affecting our communities, livelihoods and development efforts.
Discussions also focused on the development challenges facing children in Solomon Islands, including child poverty, malnutrition, access to health and education services, and child protection concerns. The Prime Minister highlighted that while progress has been made, significant challenges remain.
Prime Minister Manele also welcomed the alignment of UNICEF’s work with the country’s development priorities under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework(UNSDCF) 2023–2027, which supports the implementation of the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy 2016–2035.
He affirmed the Government’s commitment to working closely with UNICEF and other United Nations agencies to ensure that development programs deliver tangible and transformative outcomes for Solomon Islands communities.
Prime Minister Manele also reiterated the Government’s long-standing position on the importance of strengthening the United Nations’ presence in Solomon Islands, including the establishment of a dedicated Resident Coordinator with full decision-making authority in the country.
The Solomon Islands Government and UNICEF reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing the rights of children and strengthening cooperation to advance the rights, protection, and well-being of every child in Solomon Islands.
- OPMC
