LocationsEnhancing SIICAC and Anticorruption Secretariat effectiveness and transparency
September 21, 2022
[L-R] Mr Berdi Berdiyev, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Country Manager for Solomon Islands, His Excellency Miwa Yoshiaki, the Ambassador of Japan to the Solomon Islands, Ms Anika Kingmele, Vice Chairlady of SIICAC, Mr. Tony Kabasi, Deputy Secretary from the Anticorruption Secretariat under Office of the Prime Minister, Mr John Kouni, SIICAC Director General, and Mr Levan Bouadze UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific Office.
Honiara, Solomon Islands – The UN Development Programme and the Japanese Embassy in Solomon Islands held a handover ceremony to deliver equipment to the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) and the Anticorruption Secretariat under the Office of the Prime Minister.
This equipment was procured by the UNDP Transparency and Accountability Project, which is funded by the Governments of Japan and the Government of Solomon Islands as part of their support to strengthening the anticorruption landscape in Solomon Islands.
With a particular focus on strengthening governance and integrity, UNDP and Japan handed over OptiPlex (6), monitors (6), easy ups to provide power protection for unstable power conditions (6), webcams (6), a big screen for conference calls, a projector, camera and other needed IT equipment to ensure the continuous operation of these two institutions.
Equipment delivered to SIICAC and the Anticorruption Secretariat under Office of the Prime Minister.
Speaking at the handover ceremony His Excellency Miwa Yoshiaki, the Ambassador of Japan to the Solomon Islands, reaffirmed Japan's commitment to support the Government of Solomon Islands to "strengthening the institutional arrangements for integrity and transparency."
“Tackling corruption is an important step towards inclusive and sustainable development and having everything ready for it requires support from the partners in different ways. The provision of equipment will simplify the process of communication and work of SIICAC and the Anticorruption Secretariat,” H.E Miwa noted.
Closing his address, H.E Miwa highlighted that “Japan remains a longstanding partner of the Government of Solomon Islands and UNDP Solomon Islands to build building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, aiming to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda.”
Mr. Tony Kabasi, Deputy Secretary from the Anticorruption Secretariat under Office of the Prime Minister thanked UNDP and Japan for this great support provided and
"What we witness here today is a result of a great partnership between Solomon Islands Government, the Government of Japan, and UNDP. The National Anti-Corruption Strategy and the National Development Strategy recognize that the key to growth and progress of the people of Solomon Islands lies in sustainable economic development and combating corruption is an inevitable part of this process," said Mr. Tony Kabasi.
Sharing the same opinions SIICAC Director General, Mr John Kouni, highlighted how significant this support is to “maintain quality and continuous work of SIICAC.“
“SIICAC is a fairly young institution that needs the support of partners to fulfill its mission. UNDP, through its TAP project, assisted with the establishment of SIICAC and continues to support us with our Annual Work Plan as well as providing technical advisory support to the SIICAC personnel.”
“I, therefore, would like to express gratitude for supporting us from the very beginning and, when it is so much needed, assisting us with the IT equipment,” Mr Kouni further noted.
H.E. Miwa Yoshiaki, Ambassador of Japan to the Solomon Islands delivering his speech.
Mr. Tony Kabasi, Deputy Secretary from the Anticorruption Secretariat under Office of the Prime Minister.
Mr John Kouni, SIICAC Director General.
Mr Levan Bouadze, Resident Representative, UNDP Pacific Office.
UNDP Resident Representative for the Pacific Office Mr. Levan Bouadze highlighted the significant support from the Transparency and Accountability project as well as other UNDP projects over the years as “essential and necessary for the execution of corruption prevention, investigation and prosecuting corruption and coordination and cooperating with other oversight and integrity agencies.”
“Supporting civil society, private sector and citizens engagement in accountability and integrity advocacy, is also a key feature of the Project’s intervention,” Mr. Bouadze said.
The handover was organized by the UNDP Transparency and Accountability for the People of Solomon Islands – The Project for Strengthening the Capacities to Combat Corruption (TAPSCCC). The project is implemented by UNDP Solomon Islands and has received financial support from the Governments of Solomon Islands, Japan
Contact information:
Anastasiia Tiurmenko, Communications Specialist, UNDP Solomon Islands Office, anastasiia.tiurmenko@undp.org, +677 27 446/ +677 747 21 29