Solomon Islands Financial Intelligence Unit Boosts Capabilities to Combat Corruption and Money Laundering through Papua New Guinea Attachment Programme

Strengthening Analysis, Supervision, and Management Capacities

The Solomon Islands Financial Intelligence Unit (SIFIU) has embarked on a two-week peer-to-peer knowledge exchange programme with Papua New Guinea’s Financial Analysis & Supervision Unit (FASU), aimed at strengthening its analysis, supervision, and management capacities to counter corruption and money laundering. The programme is funded by the Governments of Japan, Solomon Islands, and the United Kingdom through the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Enhancing Capacities to Combat Money Laundering

The attachment programme, which kicked off on February 13 and concludes on February 24, will see four senior and newly recruited staff personnel from SIFIU’s intelligence, policy, and supervision divisions upgrade their knowledge and skills on financial analysis and supervision. The participants will engage in hands-on activities to enhance their capacities to combat money laundering, a powerful tool in the fight against corruption.

Collaboration for Effective Capacity Building

According to Mr Hilton Koti, who leads the SIFIU attachment delegation, “Through this programme, we aim to strengthen our capacities to combat money laundering and corruption by learning from FASU’s experience and expertise.”

FASU Director, Mr Benny B M Popoitai, commended the collaboration, saying, “This attachment is a great opportunity for both SIFIU and FASU to interact, learn, exchange information, and enhance our operational and management capabilities.”

Combating Corruption in Pacific Island Countries

The Solomon Islands has been scaling up its fight against corruption, guided by national, regional, and international frameworks. The country has adopted the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and is committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a focus on Goal 16 targets.

Importance of FIUs in the Fight Against Corruption

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative/Country Manager for Solomon Islands, Mr Berdi Berdiyev emphasized the importance of FIUs in the fight against corruption. “Anti-money laundering and anti-corruption efforts are mutually reinforcing, and it is important to bring them together effectively.”

UNDP’s Support for Anti-Corruption Efforts

The UNDP has been supporting anti-corruption efforts in Pacific Island Countries through regional and national activities, including peer-to-peer cooperation and knowledge-sharing between FIUs.

Contact: Anastasiia Tiurmenko, Communications Specialist, UNDP Solomon Islands Office anastasiia.tiurmenko@undp.org | +677 27 446/ +677 747 21 29