Solomon Aid Minister leads delegation to World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings

By Alfred Maesulia

The Minister for Planning and Aid Coordination, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo is leading a six man delegation including the Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Mr Rick Houenipwela and Permanent Secretary Mr Luma Darcy to the 60th World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meeting in Singapore.

Minister Lilo will be addressing the World Bank Group and IMF’s Board of Governors on behalf of seven Pacific Island States. These include the Republic of Kiribati, Federal States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Samoa, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Minister Lilo explained: “The main issues to be discussed will be good governance, strengthening donor engagement and coordination, clean energy, trade and education. This year’s event is very important for Solomon Islands and also other small island states. This is because it provides us the opportunity for Pacific Island Constituencies to discuss strategies and opportunities to improve the Bank and IMF’s roles and operations in the region”.

Minister Lilo also stated that the World Bank Group and IMF had been important independent advocators over the years and provided high quality independent technical support in the Pacific including Solomon Islands.

He said: “These annual meetings are crucial in addressing issues that are still affecting the island states.”

The Minister and his delegation with Governors of Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Islands will also meet the President of the World Bank Group, Mr. Paul Wolfowitz. The two-day Annual Meeting which will include delegations from 184 member countries will take place in Singapore from tuesday to wednesday this week.

Source: Government Communications Unit