Digital technology and equal access to digital means are at the core of how the United Nations Development Programme strives to achieve sustainable development, leaving no one behind. Recognising the power of digital means, UNDP has launched an organisation-wide digital transformation and adopted the Digital Strategy 2019-2021 that splices digital into its DNA - harnessing its potential to do more, better and faster, and leading the next wave of innovation in sustainable development.

As the Digital Revolution is reshaping the global workforce, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) is fulfilling an important role in collaborating with the Solomon Islands government in its digital transformation. In 2020, a pilot project was launched to build limitless access to information and communication technologies in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean, comprises more than 990 islands divided into nine provinces separated by vast ocean space. The 2019 National census puts the total population of 721,000 with many living in a scattered settlement on different Islands. Distance, geography, lack of infrastructure, low availability and high cost of internet services have contributed to widening the digital gap leading to a major development challenge affecting service delivery at all levels. According to a study by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Solomon Islands were among the countries with the lowest fixed-broadband penetration in 2016 with two percent. 

“UNDP in the Solomon Islands has the comparative advantage to reach out to faraway communities scattered in the country's remote islands. Our fieldwork learned that the biggest challenge people face in provinces is access to information and communication technologies and tools. Often citizens would need to travel long hours to the provincials' capital to request a service," said Vardon Hoca, UNDP Project Manager, while emphasizing the close collaboration with the Solomon Islands Government.

He also stressed that: "In contrast, the authorities in the provinces would need several days to send these requests to the capital, Honiara. As no digital communication was available, this was often done through face-to-face meetings, including long-distance travels to Honiara, which proved to be a time-consuming and extremely expensive process."

“Due to the unreliable internet connection, the Ministry of Provincial Government and Infrastructure Support, the nine provinces it supports, are forced to bear high operating costs. Unable to send important documents via email, provincial staff usually travel to the capital city to deliver them. The operation cost is further inflated with expensive phone bills due to high dependency on direct calls to maintain communication. Annually, SB$2.5 million from the budget allocated for provincial governments is used to cover recurrent costs generated by travel, accommodation, per diem and direct telephone communication,” said Momodou Lamin Sawaneh, Programme Management Expert at MPGIS.

He further added, “We hope that with recent UNDP investments to equip the national and provincial government with the necessary Information Communication Technologies, all communications including meetings, discussions, trainings, and monitoring can move online saving millions which can be invested towards community development projects or service delivery initiatives.”

Funded by the UNDP Regional Bureau of Asia and Pacific as part of COVID-19 support and in partnership with the Solomon Island Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) and Solomon Islands Government Information Communication Technologies Services (ICT) under the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT), the UNDP Digital Transformation project started its work towards the digitalisation of Solomon Islands state institutions. Among the top priorities include the cabling work to upgrade infrastructure in all Provincial Governments Headquarters, purchase and set up radio antennas for selected remote locations to boost connectivity and a generator for Rennell and Bellona province, for uninterrupted supply of power, essential video conferencing equipment including laptops, and Zoom licenses.

In addition to the nine Provincial Government Headquarters, UNDP, in collaboration with the ICT Unit, has provided video conferencing equipment together with Zoom licenses for different Ministries and the Prime Minister’s Office based on identified needs at the national level. Currently, hands-on training is being conducted to enable staff in government offices to use the Digital Transformation project's investments in day-to-day work. In December, UNDP held a successful Zoom video conference, the first of this kind in the country, with the provincial administrations in Auki and Tulagi using recently upgraded infrastructures and donated equipment.

“This is the first time that such a digital solution was introduced in Malaita Province because it is cost not only efficient but also quick to get the work done during the pandemic. Additionally, digital literacy training was also eye-opening for me to learn about the technology because we were not capacitated on such skills. We appreciate this opportunity and consider that more such techno-based investments are needed to ensure the value for money and outreach to communities,” shared Frank Samo, Head of the Youth Division, Provincial Government of Malaita.

Although pilot at the moment, the investments made under Digital Transformation are expected to change the way of doing business at provincial and country levels. If the project is expanded and further supported, it may even lead to a thorough transformation of how institutions work and offer better services to the citizens and ensuring easier access to the information. This, in return, will lessen the gap between the duty bearers and right holders and serve as the bridge between the authorities and its citizens.        

Recognising the importance of bridging e-communication, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, as part of the government support for the Digital Transformation project, committed to paying for all nine provinces broadband connection cost and maintaining all Information Communication Technology equipment provided by UNDP.

Mr Pedro H. Tavares, the ICT Strategy and Systems Adviser working under the ICT Unit of MOFT, the department responsible for ensuring the IT communications for all governmental institutions, confirmed the commitment to work for a more comprehensive approach in digitally transforming the country: “At this stage, we are working closely with UNDP to define the best route in transforming the services of the government digitally by using cutting-edge technology and contributing to the overall social change in receiving and doing business. Should the support be ensured, we believe that together with UNDP, we will be able to contribute to real reform in the country.”

Among the top priorities for the UNDP Digital Transformation Project Phase II are providing access to accountability mechanisms’ information through establishing Digital Hubs across the Solomon Islands and building communication bridges between Hubs, development partners and community-based institutions.

With the 2030 Agenda as a guiding thread, UNDP aims to harness technology’s transformative power and ensure the best possible digital future for all.

For more information or media inquiries please contact:

Anastasiia Tiurmenko, Communications Specialist, UNDP Solomon Islands Office, anastasiia.tiurmenko@undp.org, +677 27446/ +677 747 21 29