The United Kingdom Government, through its High Commission in Honiara, has signed a Technical Agreement with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to commence work on Solomon Islands’ re-entry into the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
The EITI is a global initiative aimed at promoting open and accountable management of oil, gas, and mineral resources. It establishes a standard for transparency in the extractive sector, requiring countries to disclose information about their natural resource revenues and how they are managed.
Solomon Islands first joined EITI in 2012 but withdrew seven years later to review, reform, and strengthen transparency mechanisms within its mining sector. On 12 May 2025, the Government made a formal decision to re-engage with the EITI framework. Following the Cabinet’s decision, the Government formally conveyed its commitment to the EITI International Secretariat on 18 June 2025 and requested re-engagement.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury also confirmed the formation of the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) in July. The MSG is the “Governance” body of EITI in Solomon Islands that oversees implementation of the initiative. It comprises representatives from national and provincial government institutions, civil society and landowners’ groups, as well as licensed mining companies.
This week’s signing of the Technical Agreement will significantly support the work of the EITI Secretariat in Solomon Islands. The technical assistance agreement covers the period November 2025 – March 2026 and focuses on the following core areas:
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Capacity building of EITI implementing partners and the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG)
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Scoping study of the extractive sector
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Legal analysis and recommendations
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Communication and stakeholder engagement
The Agreement symbolises the strong partnership and shared vision between the United Kingdom and the Solomon Islands Government in advancing transparency and integrity in the extractive industries for the benefit of all Solomon Islanders. It was also confirmed that technical support for this important commitment will be implemented through UNDP.
The EITI Standard outlines the requirements applicable to countries implementing the EITI, as well as the Articles of Association governing the initiative. It is the global benchmark for transparency and accountability in the oil, gas, and mining sectors.
As a framework for disclosure and multi-stakeholder oversight, the EITI Standard is designed to empower governments, industry, and civil society to promote understanding of natural resource management; strengthen public and corporate governance and accountability; and provide the data necessary to inform policy-making and debate.
The EITI Standard comprises three parts: Principles and Requirements, Board Oversight and Validation, and EITI Governance and Management.
