Tarawa, Kiribati — The Governments of Kiribati and Australia, together with the Pacific Community (SPC), officially launched KiriLEAD — the Kiribati Leadership Engagement and Accountability for Development programme — last Friday at Bairiki Square, marking a new joint effort to strengthen government systems and civil society engagement across the country.
The launch, opened with the traditional call of a conch shell and a collective unveiling of banners, underscored the programme’s public-facing aims. Honourable Ruth Cross Kwansing, Minister for Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs (MWYSSA), said KiriLEAD reflects Kiribati’s national priorities and stressed that development “is not just for the people but truly driven by the people.” MWYSSA will lead implementation of the 3.5-year initiative, which is explicitly aligned with Kiribati Vision 20 (KV20), the Kiribati Development Plan and the current government manifesto.
Australian High Commissioner Mark Foxe described the initiative as a concrete expression of Canberra’s partnership with South Tarawa, saying Australia is “proud to support” the programme. He highlighted KiriLEAD’s focus on strengthening government systems, building the capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs), and integrating gender equality, disability and social inclusion into development planning. No funding amount was disclosed at the launch, but Foxe framed the programme as “more than a launch — it is a promise” of sustained collaboration between the two countries.
SPC will provide technical support to MWYSSA throughout the programme. Tara Chetty, Deputy Director of SPC’s Human Rights and Social Development Division, said KiriLEAD will build on lessons from previous regional efforts, notably the Pacific People Advancing Change civil society support programme, and SPC’s long history of technical assistance in the region. Chetty urged partners to use that institutional experience to strengthen CSO-government engagement in Kiribati.
Civil society leaders who spoke at the event voiced cautious optimism that the programme could improve governance, accountability and service delivery. Teewata Aromata, president of Aia Mwaea Ainen Kiribati (AMAK), told the crowd KiriLEAD presents a “golden opportunity” for CSOs to take a more serious role in national development. Teretia Tokam, executive director of the Kiribati Women and Children Support Centre, said she hoped the initiative would not only build NGO capacity but also provide funding and deepen partnerships with government. Tabaia Iakobwa, officer manager of Te Toa Matoa, the national organisation for persons with disabilities, welcomed the programme as opening doors for disability-focused groups to work in alignment with government support.
Organisers say KiriLEAD’s intended outcomes go beyond capacity building to touch on human rights, climate resilience and broader social development for people of all diversities in Kiribati. By explicitly incorporating gender, disability and social inclusion, the initiative aims to ensure marginalised voices are part of planning and accountability mechanisms as the country addresses climate and development challenges.
At the launch Kwansing urged “radical collaboration” across government ministries, CSOs, community leaders and development partners, calling on all stakeholders to honour past efforts and build a lasting legacy of empowered communities. With SPC technical backing and Australian support, KiriLEAD now moves into its implementation phase under MWYSSA’s stewardship, setting a timetable of activities and partnerships to be developed in the coming months.
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