Vanuatu’s parliament dissolved
Vanuatu’s new President, Nikenike Vurobaravu has dissolved the country’s parliament just over halfway through the current four-year-term. President Vurobaravu signed the instrument for the dissolution of
Vanuatu
Eye disease trachoma eliminated in Vanuatu, leads the way for Pacific push
The Fred Hollows Foundation has welcomed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) confirmation that Vanuatu has eliminated the eye disease trachoma as a public health problem. The Foundation, with the support of The
Vanuatu no-confidence vote set for Friday
Vanuatu’s embattled prime minister Bob Loughman has confirmed he will attend the next sitting of an extra-ordinary parliament session on Friday to face a motion of no-confidence in his leadership. Loughman and 20 MPs
Civil Society Organisation Response – PACIFIC DISABILITY FORUM
PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECREATARIATFORUM ECONOMIC MINISTERS MEETING DIALOGUE WITH CSOsTheme: Clustering for Regional Post-COVID Economic Recovery and StabilityWarwick Le Lagoon Resort, Port Vila, Vanuatu12 August 2022
Forum Economic Ministers Meeting: a marriage of national priorities and regional strategies
Islands Business reporter Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti has been talking to Pacific Islands ministers and officials at the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting about their economic priorities and regional opportunities.
Crypto ‘an unstable financial asset’ says UNCTAD
Cryptocurrency is an “unstable financial asset that can bring social risks and costs”, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned in three policy briefs on Wednesday. UNCTAD said their benefits to
Vanuatu at the FEMM: fuel prices, climate costs and supply chain challenges
The Vanuatu government hopes moves to set up fuel depot locally will help stabilise fuel prices in the country. Discussions in the leadup to the Forum Economic Minister’s Meeting which gets underway in Vanuatu today,
Vanuatu ministers lodge Motion of No Confidence
Attempts to change the Government’s democratic system tops the list of five reasons given by some MPs in the Motion of No Confidence against Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman. “The attempt to make significant
Regional economic ministers to meet: “the sense of urgency is real”
The 2022 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting which gets underway in Vanuatu this week will see regional ministers and officials discuss post-Covid economic recovery, alongside improved access to important dialogues for the
Vanuatu hosts Disability Dialogue
The Pacific Disability Forum in partnership with the Vanuatu Disabled Peoples Assembly (the National Organisation of Persons with Disabilities) will be holding a Side Event which is a Disability Stakeholder Dialogue
Air Vanuatu to resolve schedule within two months
With its plans to recruit more ni-Vanuatu pilots, the national flag carrier’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Atu Finau, says the current situation of amended schedules on reduced flights is expected to be resolved
U.S. Senate Bill to establish embassies in the Pacific
A bipartisan group of senators will introduce legislation to establish three new embassies in the Pacific Islands region to strengthen America’s relationships there and counter China’s growing influence. The
Commonwealth Games Update
As the Commonwealth Games begin, teams from the Pacific Islands are settling into their accommodation in the Birmingham 2022 Games village and are preparing to compete for the next 12 days. It’s a very long way from
VNPF receives VT15M in dividend from Unit Trust of Fiji
The Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) has received around VT15 million(US$127,299) in dividend from the Unit Trust of Fiji (UTOF) Tuesday. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UTOF, Vilash Chand, presented the cheque
Vanuatu elects Vurobaravu as president
Nikenike Vurobaravu has been voted the 12th President of Vanuatu. It took eight rounds of voting by the 58-member Electoral College before he secured the required minimum number of 38 on Saturday. In the end, he got a
Vanuatu seasonal workers speak out on mistreatment
A group of Vanuatu seasonal workers in Australia who absconded from their farms have come out to shed light on their working conditions. While they say they regret that their actions have tarnished Vanuatu’s effort in
‘Welkam’ Back! – Vanuatu reopens international borders
The first international visitors who set foot in Vanuatu Friday after more than two years were given a warm welcome by excited tourism officers at the Port Vila Airport. String band songs greeted them as they arrived.
Vanuatu, Niue borders reopen this week
After closing its international borders to everyone except citizens and residents two years ago following the COVID-19 pandemic, Vanuatu is reopening and reconnecting with the world starting this Friday. Vanuatu had not
Vanuatu court sentence Bangladesh nationals for trafficking
Four Bangladesh nationals implicated in what has been dubbed the biggest human trafficking case in Vanuatu were sentenced this week, after a four-year court battle. Sekdah Somon, was sentenced to 14 years’
Vanuatu Govt revise visa to rebuild tourism sector
The Vanuatu Government, through the Department of Immigration and Passport Service, has amended the Visitor Visa to Tourist Visa to allow tourists the opportunity to come to Vanuatu and stay longer. Previously a tourist
Pacific tourism workers resilient in adversity
Pacific researchers assessing the wellbeing of tourism-reliant communities in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands amid the COVID-19 pandemic have found these communities are mainly resilient in the face of
Air Vanuatu to focus on domestic fleet expansion
Vanuatu’s national carrier Air Vanuatu has decided to cancel its order for Airbus A220s and instead plans to add more regional turboprop aircraft. “Air Vanuatu will not be proceeding with its order for
MSG, Indonesia dialogue on Regional Security Strategy
The Indonesian National Police (INP) is hosting the 4th Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Regional Security Strategy (RSS) Working Group (WG) from June 6 to 10, 2022 in Bali, Indonesia. The event is attended by delegates