The Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP), funded by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), has contributed and invested more than $80 million in grants for communities across the country since its inception in late 2023.
Implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), the program focuses on priority areas such as social and economic infrastructure and income-generating projects in all 50 constituencies.
Speaking at the launch of the second phase of the RSDP at the Mendana Hotel on Wednesday, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said, the sub-projects supported under the program include community halls and rest houses, marine and fisheries initiatives, land transportation, water and sanitation infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and others.
He said the categories of sub-projects show a strong alignment between the program’s design and the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy (NDS).
“In particular, I noted that RSDP is strongly linked to Objective Two of the NDS, which targets poverty alleviation across the whole of the Solomon Islands, ensuring the basic needs of our people are addressed and that food security and livelihoods are improved,” he said.
PM Manele said the second phase of the program reflects the continued commitment of the Government of the People’s Republic of China and its people to sustainable development and the empowerment of rural communities to build a better future.
He said the essence of the program is to ensure development benefits are equitably distributed to all Solomon Islanders, guided by three core principles:
- Putting people at the centre of development
RSDP prioritises the needs of people and communities, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, and promotes social and economic progress. - Promoting inclusive development
The program seeks to ensure development is equitable, regardless of political affiliation, social status, gender, or ethnicity. - Protecting the environment
RSDP is committed to environmentally sustainable development, including climate change mitigation and resilience efforts.
“I am very sure that many of the sub-projects funded under the program are well aligned with these guiding principles,” the Prime Minister added.
PRC Chargé d’Affaires Yang Jie said eliminating poverty and promoting rural development has long been a central goal for developing countries.
He said China remains committed to a people-centred development philosophy, with poverty eradication as a key milestone in its national progress.
“By 2021, nearly 800 million rural residents had been lifted out of poverty, achieving the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development target 10 years ahead of schedule and making a tremendous contribution to global poverty reduction efforts.
“As of 2024, China’s GNI per capita reached US$13,600, lifting the country from low-income status at its founding to an upper-middle-income nation.
“China is now working to strengthen its foundations and advance towards achieving socialist modernization by 2035,” he said.
