Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has encouraged participants of the Regional Youth Parliament to prepare themselves “to become future productive leaders.”
The Prime Minister highlighted this when he attended the official opening of the Regional Youth Parliament at the Paul Tovua Complex at the National Parliament today.
Mr Lilo said he was honoured to have been invited to attend the occasion which was the first of its kind to be held in the country.
He says he is encouraged to see youths from Solomon Islands as well as New South Wales coming together to participate in parliamentary democracy.
Mr Lilo says youths must be prepared to tackle issues at hand and the future. The youths will be engaging in a youth parliament on climate change.
Prime Minister Lilo highlighted that the threat posed by climate change is real, “not only for Solomon Islands but other pacific island states.”
“The effects of climate change is just as devastating as terrorism, especially when one looks at the devastation of natural disasters like cyclones, king tides and tsunamis on people and their livelihoods.”
The Prime Minister congratulated the youths and wished them well in their youth parliamentary engagements this week.
Speaker of the National Parliament Sir Allan Kemakeza officially opened the Regional Youth Parliament.