A delegation from Commonwealth Parliamentary Association International Headquarters met with the National Parliament of Solomon Islands this week as part of a CPA Benchmarks self-assessment. The CPA’s Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures provide a framework for excellence in Commonwealth parliamentary and legislative practice and were updated in 2018 to include the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG16 on strong and sustainable democratic institutions. In recent years, 34 Commonwealth Parliaments have undertaken self-assessments against the updated CPA Benchmarks. The National Parliament of Solomon Islands is now the 35th Commonwealth Legislature to do so.

As part of their visit, the CPA delegation met with the Speaker of Parliament, as well as wider Members and staff from the Legislature. The CPA team also held discussions with a range of external stakeholders including the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Hon. Jeremiah Manele, representatives of the Government of Solomon Islands, various national agencies, civil society groups, and media personnel.

Speaking about the self-assessment, the Speaker of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, Hon. Patteson John Oti, said:

“The National Parliament of Solomon Islands wants to ensure that all of our Members, particularly the newly-elected, know what it means to be an MP. We also want to work towards having a fully autonomous Legislature, independent of the Executive, that delivers for the citizens of Solomon Islands. It is my hope that undertaking the CPA Benchmarks self-assessment exercise will help us to achieve these twin goals.”

The CPA Benchmarks self-assessment was undertaken by Beverly Duffy, Clerk Assistant (Committees) in the Legislative Council of the Parliament of New South Wales, and CPA Headquarters Good Governance Project Manager, Fraser McIntosh.

Following the visit to Honiara, a Report from the CPA Benchmarks self-assessment will be formulated with recommendations for reform to strengthen parliamentary institutions in Solomon Islands. The Outcome Report will play an important role in developing the effectiveness of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands and contribute to its implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Stephen Twigg, said:

“Effective Parliaments are the cornerstone of good governance, and the CPA works to ensure that Legislatures can function to their maximum potential. Self-assessment against the CPA Benchmarks ensures that Parliaments can vigorously scrutinise their practices and procedures to become better performing Legislatures. In addition, the CPA Benchmarks self-assessments have strengthened public outreach, engagement and confidence.”

The CPA Benchmarks self-assessment was supported with funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The CPA supports Parliaments to fulfil the outcomes of the self-assessments through CPA Technical Assistance Programmes which could involve updating the Legislature’s Rules of Procedure, training for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff or developing corporate policies and strategic plans. These project outputs will continue strengthening Legislative institutions for improved good governance across the Commonwealth.

To find out more about this project please email hq.sec@cpahq.org. The CPA's Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures are also available to download from the CPA website.

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

For media enquiries, please contact communications@cpahq.org.