10th meeting of the Enhanced Consultative Mechanism on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI)

The 10th meeting of the Enhanced Consultative Mechanism (ECM) on RAMSI will be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands on 21 August 2014. 

The ECM was established by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in 2006 to facilitate the work of RAMSI as a high level reference group, representative of RAMSI’s regional character, to discuss the broad policy directions of RAMSI and its progress. 

The ECM consists of senior officials from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and RAMSI, and representatives from past, present and incoming Chair’s of the Pacific Islands Forum – represented in 2014 by the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau and Papua New Guinea. 

The meeting will consider, amongst other matters, the work undertaken by RAMSI in 2013, as well as the mission’s priorities in the post-transition period. This will be the first meeting of the ECM following the completion of the withdrawal of the Mission’s military component, the Combined Task Force, from Solomon Islands in September 2013, and the transition to bilateral arrangements of RAMSI civilian programmes in the Law and Justice; Economic Development; and Machinery of Government sectors from 1 July 2013. The policing component of RAMSI, the Participating Police Force, will continue to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force until 2017. 

Secretary General Tuiloma Neroni Slade congratulated the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI on the seamless transition of RAMSI’s operations to bilateral arrangements, crediting the smooth transfer to the “calibre and professionalism of Solomon Islands and RAMSI officials.” 

Secretary General Slade also acknowledged the continuing support provided by Forum Countries to the Participating Police Force, and noted that “the achievements of RAMSI would not have been possible without the support of all Forum member countries, in particular the significant contributions from Australia and New Zealand.”

 The Secretary General also expressed the “continuing and steadfast resolve of the Pacific Forum family, including through the Participating Police Force, to support ongoing efforts of the Government of the Solomon Islands to ensure the sustainability of peace, security and stability for her people and future generations.” ENDS

 For enquires contact Mr ‘Alifeleti Soakai, the Forum Secretariat’s Political Issues Adviser on email: alifeletis@forumsec.org.fj