The Solomon Islands government is strengthening efforts to combat corruption, illicit financial flows and revenue leakages in the mining sector as it prepares for increased mineral development and works toward rejoining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
More than 30 representatives from government ministries, oversight bodies, law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence institutions, accountability organisations, civil society groups and mining companies gathered in Honiara for a national workshop on strengthening coordination to address corruption risks and improve governance in the extractive sector.
The workshop, titled "Building a Coordinated National Response to Corruption, Illicit Financial Flows and Revenue Leakage in the Mining Sector in Solomon Islands," was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Solomon Islands EITI National Secretariat under a United Kingdom-funded project supporting the country's re-engagement with EITI.
Participants examined corruption and governance risks within the mining industry while identifying practical measures to strengthen cooperation, information sharing and coordinated responses among institutions responsible for mining regulation, revenue administration, financial intelligence, investigations and prosecution.
Opening the workshop on behalf of the government, Acting Permanent Secretary for Finance and Treasury Coswal Nelson said protecting public revenue generated from natural resources is critical to achieving the country's development goals.
"The extractive industries sector has the potential to make an important contribution to our economy. If managed responsibly, it can generate revenue, create opportunities and support our broader national development priorities," Nelson said.
"But when governance arrangements are weak, opportunities for corruption, illicit financial flows and revenue leakage emerge, reducing the benefits that should reach our people."
Nelson said no single institution could effectively tackle the challenges posed by corruption and financial crimes in the extractive sector.
"Each institution represented here holds an important part of the picture. Stronger coordination allows us to identify risks earlier, share information more effectively and respond more quickly," he said.
"Coordination is not optional — it is essential if we are to safeguard public revenues and strengthen confidence in our institutions."
Representing the United Kingdom, Deputy British High Commissioner Cameron Millar reaffirmed Britain's support for transparent and accountable management of natural resources through its partnership with Solomon Islands and UNDP.
"Natural resources offer tremendous opportunities for economic development, but international experience demonstrates that without strong governance systems they can also become vulnerable to corruption, opaque ownership structures and significant revenue losses," Millar said.
He said strengthening transparency, accountability and institutional cooperation would help ensure the country's mineral wealth benefits all citizens.
Millar added that lasting reforms must be driven by national institutions.
"The strongest reforms are those designed and led by national institutions. Our role is to support Solomon Islands in building stronger systems that protect public resources, strengthen public trust and contribute to inclusive and sustainable development," he said.
UNDP Programme Specialist for Inclusive Governance and Economic Growth Solomon Kalu said strengthening integrity in the extractive sector extends beyond preventing corruption and is fundamental to ensuring that mineral resources contribute to long-term national development.
"The extractive sector is expected to become increasingly important to the future of Solomon Islands. If governed well, it can create jobs, generate revenues and improve the lives of people across the country," Kalu said.
"But achieving these outcomes requires institutions that work together effectively to prevent corruption, detect illicit financial flows and protect public revenues."
Kalu said the workshop focused on building stronger partnerships among institutions, improving information sharing and identifying practical actions to strengthen transparency and accountability across the mining sector.
The initiative forms part of UNDP's broader support for Solomon Islands' efforts to rejoin EITI through technical assistance, institutional capacity building, policy support and multi-stakeholder engagement.
The government has identified stronger governance of the mining sector as a key priority as it seeks to attract investment while ensuring that future resource development delivers sustainable economic benefits, strengthens public confidence and safeguards revenues for current and future generations.
