BY RICHARD MENANOPO

THE Solomon Islands Government, through the Ministry of National Planning Coordination (MNPDC) is preparing for the country’s graduation from it’s Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2027.

This was announced by the MNPDC in a statement following a high-level global meeting co-organized by the State of Qatar through Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the United Nations Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS).

MNPDC’s Director of Development Cooperation Division, Samuel Wara, represented Solomon Islands at the meeting.

He said the meeting was timely as Solomon Islands prepares to graduate from LDC status by the end of 2027.

Wara added that close coordination among MNPDC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) remain critical, and that the meeting outcomes reaffirmed the need for continued engagement with development partners to ensure a smooth and resilient graduation from LDC status.

The meeting emphasized the importance of strong partnerships among governments, development partners, international financial institutions, regional banks and the private sector, as well as the need for gradual transition arrangements, continued trade support and increased financing for climate resilience, the MNPDC statement said.

Also highlighted is the importance of a robust Smooth Transition Strategy (STS) aligned with national development plans and budgets.

Wara said that Solomon Islands’ STS is embedded within the National Development Strategy 2016–2035 and will continue to be refined to support the country’s transition.

Meanwhile, held under the theme “Forging Ambitious Global Partnerships for Sustainable and Resilient Graduation of Least Developed Countries,” the meeting forms part of the Doha Programme of Action, which aims to support the graduation of 15 LDCs by 2031.

Key challenges discussed included climate vulnerability, weak global economic conditions and declining access to concessional finance, alongside lessons from countries that have successfully graduated, as such, practical guidance on managing the transition while sustaining development progress.

The three-day meeting concluded in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday December 4 2025.

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