Corruption has long been an issue of public discontent in Solomon Islands, and is seen as a major obstacle on the path towards sustainable development. It diverts public resources away from the provision of essential services. It increases inequality and hinders national and local economic development by distorting markets for goods and services. It corrodes rule of law and destroys public trust in governments and leaders.

Organized by the Auditor General in partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the workshop will do a thorough revision on the status of the various accountability bodies in Solomon Islands and its legislation. The programme employs a combination of presentations, case studies, and knowledge-sharing sessions.

Throughout the week, more than 30 participants will discuss common issues, identify shared challenges and how to enhance collaboration on the way forward. Participants are learning from international best practices related to audit legislation and reflecting on lessons learnt from international examples and how to apply them in Solomon Islands.

Participants come from Solomon Islands’ supreme accountability institutions such as the Office of Auditor General (OAG), Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank (SIFIU), Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC), Leadership Code Commission (LCC), Office of the Ombudsman, the Parliament, the Institution of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), in addition to other Civic Society Organizations.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been actively supporting Solomon Islands in its institutional efforts to reduce corruption and develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. With this goal, this workshop is co-supported with the IMF under the Transparency and Accountability Project (TAP), an initiative of UNDP Solomon Island Office, funded by the Government of Japan and the Government of Solomon Islands.

As Nanise Saune-Qaloewai, programme manager highlighted during the facilitation of one of the sessions: “With the 2030 Agenda as a guiding thread, UNDP in line with SDG 16 is working together with the Government of Solomon Islands and all integrity institutions to reduce bribery and corruption and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions”.  UNDP’s approach aims to strengthening anti-corruption institutions and systems, supporting the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), mitigating corruption risks in essential sectors, and strengthening the collective actions of governments, civil society and the private sector in fighting corruption.