The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) hosted a second Smooth Transition Strategy (STS) socialisation workshop with development partners in Honiara on Tuesday – 14 October 2025.
The one-day workshop brings development partners, and officials from key government ministries, to discuss how to strengthen coordination, improve understanding and align supports as Solomon Islands prepares for Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation in 2027.
The workshop is part of the National Government’s effort to ensure Solomon Islands transition from LDC to Developing Country Status is smooth and well-coordinated.
As the lead Ministry in managing the transition, the MNPDC is using this workshop to strengthen coordination, improve understanding and align partner support in preparation for this graduation.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop at the Heritage Park Hotel, MNPDC Supervising Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Nichola Namo, said there is a need for collective actions and strong partnerships in managing the transition process.
“Today’s workshop marks a crucial step in ensuring all partners and institutions are informed, engaged and aligned in implementing this nationally-owned strategy,” Mrs. Namo said.
She said the transition is not the end goal but an important milestone in the country’s development journey.
“To make this journey inclusive, resilient and sustainable, all parts of government must work closely with our development partners and stakeholders,” Mrs. Namo said.
She thanked development partners for their continued collaborations with the Government in supporting the STS.
The STS is a nationally-led and consultative framework designed to guide the country’s transition and protect its development gains. It is a subset document of the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-2035. It outlines policy actions and priorities to address challenges arising from graduation including the phasing-out of international support measures available to LDCs.
Representative from the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Fiji, Mrs. Kesang Phuntsho, thanked the government for its leadership and for the inclusive approach taken in developing the STS.
“The transition from LDC to Developing Country status presents an opportunity to accelerate economic growth, strengthen national unity and improve the wellbeing of Solomon Islanders,” Mrs. Phuntsho said.
She said the United Nations will continue to support Solomon Islands through this transition by working closely with the Government and its partners.
Solomon Islands was classified as a LDC in 1991. The country was scheduled to graduate to a Developing Country Status at the end of 2024 but the impacts of COVID-19, peace and security challenges and economic shocks prompted cabinet to sought graduation extension to 2027.
The LDC Graduation Smooth Transition Strategy is one of the documents that will be launched in Honiara tomorrow (17th October 2025).
- Ministry of Planning
