AUSTRALIA and Vanuatu have signed a new treaty which will deepen security, disaster response, and economic ties between the two countries.
At the same time the agreement will stop foreign military bases in Vanuatu and expand Australian support for policing, cybersecurity, and climate resilience.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat signed the Vanuatu–Australia Nakamal Agreement in Canberra, in what both governments described as a major upgrade to the bilateral relationship.
The agreement will formalise cooperation on policing, maritime security, intelligence, critical infrastructure, mobility arrangements, workforce training and renewable energy.
The pact is named after the nakamal, the traditional Vanuatu meeting place where communities gather to consult and make collective decisions.
Australian officials said the symbolism reflected the agreement’s emphasis on partnership, mutual respect and regional stability.
Under the deal, Australia will provide additional training and equipment to the Vanuatu Police Force, along with greater maritime security support, infrastructure assistance, intelligence cooperation and cyber capabilities.
Vanuatu, in turn, has committed to prioritising policing cooperation with Pacific Islands Forum members and to keeping its territory free of any foreign military base or infrastructure.
The agreement also gives Australia a more explicit role in Vanuatu’s disaster-response arrangements.
It formalises Australia’s longstanding support in major natural disasters and says Vanuatu will turn first to Australia, New Zealand and France for humanitarian assistance.
Climate cooperation is another central plank. The two governments said they will work together to accelerate Vanuatu’s transition to renewable energy, including support for both on-grid and off-grid systems.
The deal also aims to make it easier for people to move between the two countries, with enhanced mobility arrangements and border systems, and includes plans for a new traineeship program intended to strengthen Vanuatu’s domestic workforce and skills base.
Albanese said the agreement was initiated at Vanuatu’s request and marked a stronger phase in the relationship.
“The Nakamal Agreement is an important step in our long-standing partnership with Vanuatu,” he said.
“Initiated at Vanuatu’s request, this agreement elevates and strengthens the relationship between our countries – we are committing to walking forward together.
“Prime Minister Napat’s visit to Australia to sign the Nakamal Agreement is a demonstration of our shared commitment to shaping our countries and our region for the better.”
The agreement will enter into force as soon as possible once domestic processes are completed in both countries.
