Opinion: Travel recovery in the Pacific: worrying signs
As the pandemic recedes and gradually fades from people’s memories, travel in the Pacific is rebounding. However, the Pacific’s travel recovery is highly variable. Comparing visitor arrivals in 2023 with those in
Vanuatu to bid for 2031 Pacific Games
Vanuatu plans to bid to host the 2031 Pacific Games in Port Vila, with a proposal expected by the end of the year. A high-profile government delegation is expected to travel to Palau to formally submit the bid, aiming
Diplomat reflects on Vanuatu independence and future
More than 500 Vanuatu citizens in Fiji, comprising mainly tertiary students gathered at the High Commissioner’s residence in Suva this week to commemorate their country’s 44th independence anniversary. Vanuatu’s
PM Salwai reaffirms Government’s commitment to resolving Air Vanuatu’s future
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the future of Air Vanuatu and its employees on Independence Day, acknowledging the challenges and criticism along the way. He
Vanuatu official calls for prioritising children’s welfare
Children must be at the centre of labour mobility policies. Arthur Faerua, Director General (DG) of Vanuatu’s Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MoJCS) stressed this when stakeholders from Fiji, Samoa,
First Vanuatu female weightlifter to compete in Olympic Games
21-year-old Ajah Pritchard Lolo will be Vanuatu’s first female weightlifting athlete to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris this month. Last month was a momentous one for Vanuatu as the nation celebrated World
Wokbaot Wetem Kalja: Culture and Disaster Management in Vanuatu
“Climate displacement of populations is the main feature of our future. We have to be ready for it and plan for it now.” So said Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu, when he took office in2022.
The perils of underinsurance
Underinsurance and the unawareness of insurance remain significant challenges say insurance providers in Fiji and the Pacific. Chief Executive Officer of Capital Insurance in Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, David Ariff Chan,
Parametric insurance industry off to a rough start in Vanuatu
Two insurance companies have exited Vanuatu, impacting beneficiaries and the burgeoning parametric insurance industry. Noeline W. Viro of the Insurance Supervision Unit of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, says that while
Air Vanuatu liquidation nears final stages with August deadline
Air Vanuatu (Operations) Limited (Ltd) entered liquidation on 9 May 2024 and Ernst and Young (EY) were appointed as Liquidators. 09 June marked one month since the liquidation, and Tuesday, 9 July, marked two months.
Vanuatu prime minister visits Huawei, views policing technology
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai visited technology company Huawei in Shenzhen and viewed surveillance technology used to enhance policing and reduce criminal activity, his office said in a statement on Tuesday.
Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit Director’s contract terminated
The Office of the Attorney General in Vanuatu has confirmed that Floyd Ray Mera’s contract as the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been terminated. This follows his suspension on 16 October,
Qantas and Jetstar launch direct flights to Vanuatu
Qantas and Jetstar have announced they will commence operating up to nine return flights each week between Australia and Vanuatu, with the new seats going on sale across both carriers this week. Starting on 10 September
‘Stop the violence and killing against Kanaky people’: Vanuatu MPs from Tafea Province
Eight Members of Vanuatu Parliament from Tafea Province have made a bold and powerful call to the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to stop the violence and killing being committed against the Kanaky
Vanuatu’s Citizenship Commission defends granting citizenship to convicted Australian entrepreneur
Vanuatu’s Citizenship Commission says convicted Australian entrepreneur cleared the necessary checks before he was granted citizenship and given a Vanuatu passport. Andrew Spira was granted citizenship
Opinion: How the small Pacific island nation of Vanuatu drastically cut plastic pollution
With lagoons once choked by rubbish, pressure from the appalled community led the government to ban certain single-use products. For generations, the people of Erakor village in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu would pass
Convicted Sydney multi-millionaire allegedly granted Vanuatu citizenship
Andrew Spira, a 28-year-old self-proclaimed multi-millionaire from Sydney, Australia, who has criminal plans, including forming an armed militia in Vanuatu and East Timor, has allegedly been granted Vanuatu
EU pushes for suspension of Vanuatu visa-waiver programme
An advisor to the Vanuatu government says the European Commission is pushing through with a suspension of its visa-waiver programme with the Pacific country despite concessions made by the government. The European
Vanuatu voters support constitutional change to end political instability
Vanuatu has voted to change its constitution in a bid to end years of political instability, results of the Pacific nation’s first national referendum showed on Wednesday. A grassroots push to alter the
Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA) Partners with Quality Solutions on ISO9001 Certification
In endeavoring to improve its core internal processes and international credibility as a Maritime Regulator, the VMSA has today signed an agreement with local consulting firm, Quality Solutions, to assist it to obtain
Fiji Airways interested in reviving Port Vila, Tanna and Santo flights
Vanuatu deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Matai Seremaiah, has announced that Fiji Airways is interested in connecting Port Vila to Tanna and Port Vila to Santo flights via an ATR, ensuring
Air Vanuatu to lose 170 staff as liquidators try to save embattled airline
Nearly 200 people have lost their jobs as liquidators restructure Air Vanuatu to reduce the embattled airline’s operating costs. Approximately 170 staff members have been made redundant as liquidators try to
