PACNEWS THREE 23 JULY 2026
In this bulletin: 1. VAN — Malvatumauri demands revocation of Dr Naupa’s MSG DG appointment by 30 July2. VAN — Vanuatu Government demands apology over criticism of MSG DG appointment3. PACIFIC —
citizenship
Release inquiry report: Vanuatu opposition
Vanuatu leader of the Opposition bloc, Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau, has called on Prime Minister Jotham Napat to immediately release a Commission of Inquiry report into the country’s Citizenship Programme and related
GNUT reaffirms sovereignty over citizenship: “Solomon Islands is Not for Sale”
The Solomon Islands Government has reiterated its firm stance against the commercialization of citizenship, reaffirming that the country is “not for sale.” This statement follows the circulation of unauthorized
Vanuatu PM instructs review of Capital Investment Immigration Plan funds
Vanuatu Prime Minister has instructed the Citizenship Commission to identify where funds generated under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) are held or have been invested. The Citizenship-by-Investment
Vanuatu Capital Investment Immigration Plan Programme suspended
The Vanuatu Government, through the Citizenship Commission, has suspended all new applications under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) until further notice. This has been confirmed by the newly appointed
Vanuatu PM cancels Lalit Modi’s new passport
Fugitive billionaire Lalit Modi’s troubles deepened on Monday after the Prime Minister of Pacific Island nation Vanuatu, Jotham Napat, ordered cancellation of the passport that his government had issued to Modi
847 Samoans receive New Zealand citizenship in three months
New Zealand Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says 847 Samoans have been granted New Zealand citizenship since the Citizenship [Western Samoa – Restoration] Amendment Bill passed into law three months
Nauru’s citizenship by investment scheme eyes AU$60 million in first year
The head of Nauru’s citizenship by investment scheme hopes the initiative will bring in tens of millions of dollars for the island this year. Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme chief
Nauru’s new citizenship program is leading the world
Generating revenue has always been a challenge for Pacific Island nations, but the amount of funding required has dramatically increased with the need for large-scale climate resilience solutions, including expensive
NZ citizenship: Samoans flock to NZ High Commission
Beach Road, Apia transformed into a bustling hive of anticipation on Tuesday with an estimated 300 people visiting the New Zealand High Commission Office for the application for NZ Citizenship for Samoans born before
Opinion: How Vanuatu can return to sustainable growth after Airline bankruptcy
Vanuatu, the Pacific archipelago nation of about 350,000 people between Australia and Fiji, finds itself at a crucial crossroads. The IMF’s recent staff report on Vanuatu reveals an economy grappling with a series of
Citizenship by Investment Bill: Solomon Islands PM
The draft Solomon Islands ‘Citizenship by Investment’ bill is complete and is subject to further review before it is submitted to Cabinet for consideration. Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele revealed in
Palau to establish digital residency programme physical office
Palau’s Ministry of Finance has announced its latest regulation pertaining to the digital residency programme. In a letter to President Surangel Whipps Jr, The Ministry of Finance said the new regulation
American Samoa: Amata says No to U.S. citizenship
American Samoa Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata supports U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision not to ‘impose’ U.S. citizenship on U.S. nationals in American Samoa. “I am gratified that the Biden
EU Council partially suspends Vanuatu visa waiver agreement
The Council of the European Union(EU) has decided to partially suspend the visa waiver agreement with Vanuatu due to what it says are risks posed by its investor citizenship schemes, also known as ‘golden passport’
Opinion: Europe’s efforts to vilify Vanuatu’s Citizenship Program are tone deaf, protectionist and foolish
In a press call on 12 January, the European Union announced that it may look to suspend its bilateral agreement with Vanuatu, which allows citizens of the Pacific nation to enter, visa free. This obstruction—which
