Commonwealth to launch programme to strengthen governance in Pacific

An initiative which helps governments in their efforts to strengthen democratic and governance institutions, accountability and transparency, and people’s access to information in the Pacific region, will be launched in Solomon Islands on 8 April 2010.

The Commonwealth Pacific Governance Facility, or CPGF, was developed in collaboration with regional governments and development partners to support good governance objectives set out in the Forum Leaders' Pacific Plan.

The launch, in Honiara, will be presided over by the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Dr Derek Sikua, and Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Mr Smith said that the Facility represents the Commonwealth’s direct response to the priority needs of its membership in the region, and reflects the association’s commitment to supporting its vulnerable members.

Mr Smith noted that the CPGF will specifically focus on:

· Strengthening democratic institutions and processes

· Improving the capacity and effectiveness of critical governance institutions, in particular, those aimed at improving better utilisation of public funds and assets

· Assisting governments to provide their people with access to information, and

· Assisting governments to develop policies for land mobilisation and development.

He said that Commonwealth’s work is hinged on two key pillars: Democracy and Development.

“The geographical focus of our development work is on constituencies, such as our small vulnerable members in the Pacific, which have been threatened with marginalisation, and whose share of global trade and investment has been declining. We are pleased to be making this contribution to our members in the region,” Mr Smith said.

Secretariat Links:

• Public Sector Development