Solomon Islands Focused on Anti-Corruption Priorities
Despite the ousting of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last week in a Motion of No Confidence, the
progress of the re-introduced Anti-Corruption Bill in Parliament last month remains a priority for the Solomons
community who are keen for Parliamentarians to pass this Bill into law.
Solomon Islands government focal person for UNCAC, Derek Gwali Futaiasi, Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister, told
the UN Convention Against Corruption biennial Conference of State Parties in Vienna this week that once the Bill becomes
law, a new Anti-Corruption Commission will have authority and jurisdiction to investigate and refer for prosecution all
corruption cases that arise from the moment of the Bill’s adoption into law.
“The Bill, when enacted, will amend corruption offenses in the Penal Code so these can be consistent with elements of
corruption offences as clearly stated in UNCAC. All corruption cases occurring prior to the law will be investigated by
existing law enforcement bodies already engaged in the important work of fighting corruption,” said Mr Futaiasi.
“This year as well, our government has signed an agreement with the UNDP to give effect to some of the anti-corruption
activities in our National Anti-Corruption Strategy. Our government wants leverage from development partners to deliver
on its National Anti-Corruption Strategy. For this reason UNDP is being requested to cost-share with Government on this
anti-corruption project as well as to further mobilise resources from other development partners.”
Mr Futaiasi said that in late September this year, South Korea and Vietnam reviewed Solomon Islands’ compliance with the
prevention and asset recovery chapters of UNCAC and that the Solomon Islands greatly appreciated South Korea and Vietnam
for the support of their experts in overseeing the review process along with UNODC officials.
“In terms of Chapter II (preventive measures), Solomon Islands has progressed: Adoption of a National anti-corruption
strategy at highest level, following extensive stakeholder consultations; a stand-alone budget for the Ombudsman’s
Office to ensure its financial independence; and the mandatory nature of the Leadership Code and accountability and
oversight provided by the Leadership Code Commission,” said Mr Futaiasi.
“In terms of challenges, we note the need to review and take appropriate measures to promote transparency and
accountability in the management of public resources (and in particular Constituency Development Funds).”
The Solomon Islands has also supported other Pacific delegates to the UN’s peak conference on anti-corruption in urging
States parties and other development partners to support Small Island developing States in their efforts to implement
and monitor Sustainable Development Goal 16.
Solomon Islands participation in the biennial Conference of the State Parties to the United Nations Convention against
Corruption in Vienna, Austria was facilitated by The United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) project.
The Australian Government is supporting the UN-PRAC Project, a four-year project in the 15 Pacific nations being
implemented by UNODC and UNDP.
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