PAPUA New Guinea and Vanuatu broke ground for a new PNG diplomatic mission in Port Vila, deepening ties between the two Melanesian neighbours 46 years after a PNG military intervention helped secure Vanuatu’s independence.
Vanuatu has donated land for the chancery and pledged $VT100 million toward its construction, Prime Minister Jotham Napat said at a ceremony held after bilateral talks with PNG Prime Minister James Marape.
The project is intended to establish a permanent diplomatic base for PNG in Vanuatu and support closer cooperation on infrastructure, political stability, climate policy and economic development.
“This moment truly reflects the enduring spirit of Melanesia and the deep history that weaves our two countries together,” Napat said.
“Until today, Vanuatu has never given anything tangible to express its gratitude, offering only our words of thanks. This donated land is a small symbol compared to the immense gratitude the people of Vanuatu hold in our hearts for the life-saving help PNG provided to secure our independence.”
The ceremony followed celebrations marking Vanuatu’s 46th independence anniversary on July 30.
In 1980, PNG deployed roughly 500 Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel under the Kumul Force to Vanuatu as the country prepared for independence.
The contingent was sent to help suppress a secessionist uprising led by rebel leader Jimmy Stevens, whose movement threatened the transition to independence under Vanuatu’s first prime minister, Walter Lini.
The force operated in Vanuatu from July 29 to Aug. 7, 1980, restoring order and helping stabilise the country’s transition to sovereignty. It also took part in independence celebrations on July 30.
Marape thanked Vanuatu for the land donation and financial commitment, saying the new chancery would serve as a base for broader engagement across the Pacific.
“We are honoured that right after your 46th Independence anniversary celebrations, you have gifted us this prime land, and more importantly, your heart in this gesture,” Marape said.
“Vanuatu stands right at the strategic heart of Melanesia and the wider Pacific reaching out to the west, north, south and east. Through this mission, we will ensure we remain tightly knit as a family.”
Marape said PNG would pursue a four-year programme of cooperation ahead of Vanuatu’s 50th anniversary of independence in 2030.
A central element would be a major upgrade of Port Vila’s Kumul Highway, the city’s main thoroughfare, which is named after the PNG force.
“We will stand with you, contributing policy support toward political stability and assist your economic growth across vital sectors like fisheries, agriculture and tourism,” Marape said.
He also said PNG would support Vanuatu’s leadership on climate action and reciprocate the land donation by providing Vanuatu with land in Port Moresby for its own diplomatic mission.
“I will be dispatching our Minister for Works to meet with your infrastructure team in the coming months,” Marape said.
“The PNG Government is committed to supporting you this year, next year and the years to follow, ensuring the Kumul Highway receives a world-class facelift in preparation for your historic 50th anniversary in 2030.”
The chancery project is expected to give practical form to the countries’ historic relationship while expanding cooperation in trade, infrastructure, culture and regional diplomacy.
