Prime Minister Matthew Wale will depart tomorrow, Wednesday 16 September, to attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Wale will join world leaders at the United Nations to present Solomon Islands’ priorities and perspectives on key issues affecting the country, the Pacific region and the wider international community.
“His participation will provide an important opportunity for Solomon Islands to engage directly with world leaders, international partners and development organisations on issues of national and regional importance,” his office said in a statement issued today.
“Wale is also expected to hold a number of bilateral meetings on the margins of the General Assembly with leaders and senior representatives from partner countries and international organisations,” the statement added.
“The meetings will provide an opportunity to strengthen Solomon Islands’ bilateral relationships, advance areas of cooperation and discuss matters of mutual interest.”
Since becoming Prime Minister on 15 May, Wale has embarked on an intensive programme of international engagement, visiting Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the United States and Japan, before travelling to Palau for the PIF meeting.
His UNGA trip comes just weeks after Wale was forced to cut short his attendance at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau after a no-confidence motion was filed against him in Parliament.
Wale had arrived in Palau as outgoing PIF chair but returned to Honiara hours later to deal with the political challenge.
The motion, filed by then-Home Affairs Minister Manasseh Maelanga, accused Wale of making decisions on matters of national importance without proper Cabinet consultation or approval.
Maelanga later withdrew the motion on 6 September, preventing Wale from facing a parliamentary vote less than four months after becoming Prime Minister.
Wale has since replaced Maelanga and three other MPs who were believed to be behind the motion.