PRIME Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare has put in a proposal for an anticipated partnership between the UN Peace Building Commission (UN PBC) and the Solomon Islands Government in helping the country continue to build and strengthen its efforts to achieve sustainable peace.

The Prime Minister made the statement during the special session of the United Nations Peace Building Commission (UN PBC) in New York on Wednesday this week.

“Chair, I am aware that, traditionally, the Pacific Islands region has not been the focus of the UN Peace Building Commission (PBC).

“But, I would like to propose a partnership between your Commission and the Solomon Islands Government, in helping us continue to build and strengthen our efforts to achieve sustainable peace,” Sogavare said.

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister then added that the UN PBC has a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help Solomon Islands in its peace building efforts.

“Chair, Solomon Islands is a nation-state with a population of about 650,000. We are a multi-ethnic country and we speak more than 87 different languages.

“It is an archipelago of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands scattered over 1,707 nautical miles in the south-western Pacific Ocean.

“Between late 1998 and mid-2003, Solomon Islands experienced internal conflicts. It was the result of a complex set of interrelated issues that include land, rapid rural-urban migration, increasing squatter settlements in major urban centers (especially, the national capital, Honiara), a fast growing population, slow economic growth, unemployment and weak state institutions,” he told the audience.

The conflicts he stated, resulted in the death of about 200 people; the displacement of over 20,000 people from their settlements and work places; the deterioration of law and order; the weakening of state institutions; and the near collapse of our national economy.

The Government, he added, at the time, was nearly unable to deliver essential public services, keep up with public sector investments and service debts.

“Realizing our inability to address the situation alone, the Solomon Islands Government sought the help of Pacific Islands Forum Countries.

“In July 2003 the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) arrived in our country.

“It was led by the Australia and New Zealand and sanctioned by the Pacific Islands Forum.

“Its aim was to restore law and order, rebuild and strengthen state institutions, stabilize Government finances, and improve the government’s ability to manage the national economy and deliver much-needed public services as well as provide security to citizens,” he further added.

The Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare then said before the UN PBC that the Solomon Islands Government and the people of Solomon Islands will forever be grateful to its neighbouring Pacific Island Countries, especially the Governments of Australia and New Zealand for their leadership and in providing resources that sustained RAMSI.

“Our Pacific Island neighbors, through the Pacific Islands Forum, have stood by us during our times of greatest need,” The Prime Minister said.