Bilateral and Multilateral Co-operation

The Solomon Island’s multilateral co-operation primarily takes the form of participation in regional organisations, such as the Pacific Islands Forum, the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Community. The country also participates in several international multilateral organisations including the United Nations, World Trade Organisation, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, and the Commonwealth. UNICEF and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have ongoing projects to help the Solomon Islands strengthen their economy, education and human rights. In 2003, following years of conflict between militant groups from two major islands and a coup in 2000, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) responded to a plea for aid from the then prime minister. Funded by Australia and New Zealand, with the support of 15 neighboring Pacific nations, RAMSI is a police-centred force focused on maintaining peace and rebuilding institutions.