The proposed Western Leaders’ Summit has been deferred to the 2026/2027 Financial Year (FY) to ensure adequate resources are allocated for its successful hosting.
The Western Provincial Government Premier Hon. Billy Veo made the announcement during the fourth day sitting of the Western Provincial Assembly in Gizo.
He explained the decision was made despite earlier thoughts of hosting it to coincide with this year’s Western Day celebrations.
“We reasoned that given the significance of the event, we would defer it for the 2026/2027 FY budget so that we can allocate enough resources to ensure it is successfully hosted,” Premier Veo told the Assembly on Thursday.
He said the Executive Government is serious about hosting the Summit as a key platform for setting the scene for the development aspirations of Western Province.
“The undertaking is deemed a significant one that will require good planning, coordination, and organising.
“The summit is expected to attract high-level attendance, with invitations planned for National Members of Parliament (MPs), prominent Western Leaders, relevant resource persons at both national and provincial levels, other stakeholders, and community representatives, including provincial MPAs,” he added.
To manage the event, the Premier noted that a taskforce or a Local Organising Committee (LoC) and a Secretariat would be key considerations.
The LoC is tasked with the comprehensive organization of the program, including:
– Planning and overseeing finance.
– Sending out invitations and setting the agenda.
– Inviting resource persons.
– Handling all administrative aspects of the event.
– In liaison with the Executive Government and the Assembly, proposing potential agenda items and relevant resolutions.
– Catering for venue hire, accommodation, catering, and other logistic arrangements.
The Premier indicated that the LoC and/or Secretariat would include “experts here amongst us in this chamber” to provide leadership and guidance to fulfil the summit’s intentions.
Premier Veo underscored the profound significance of the summit, stating it is anticipated to “provide the basis for Western Province’s political and economic development direction as we stand at the cross roads of Solomon Islands’ decision as a country to either adopt the federal system or continue with the current system, albeit the devolution of more powers, functions, and resources under the proposed revenue sharing scheme.”
He said, a core expected outcome is the placement of a Western Province Development Strategy (WPDS) at the end of the event, which should be aligned to the National Development Strategy.
Premier Veo stressed that achieving a general consensus on the province’s political and economic direction is crucial.
“It will be the guide for successive governments to prioritize and reprioritize their policies and intentions in alignment with the Western Province Development Strategy,” he said.
This consensus, he concluded, will ensure “consistency and uniformity in our approach to political governance and policy direction, regardless of whatever government is in power.”
The Assembly meeting concludes today – Friday.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star Gizo
