Napat: ‘Donors must work our way or take their money back’
Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat has voiced frustration over the lengthy procedures involved in accessing donor funds meant to assist Vanuatu, stating that such delays delay effective recovery and development
Welkam fren’: New Vanuatu PM sets homegrown tone for US relations
Jotham Napat wants the US to step up, rather than step away, despite Trump’s rejection of the ParisAgreement and aid freeze. Vanuatu’s newly elected Prime Minister Jotham Napat is known as a sharp and media-savvy
Vanuatu’s new PM seeks stronger ties with the US
Newly appointed Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has expressed a desire to strengthen ties with the United States, calling for increased US presence in the Pacific region. In his first official speech this week,
Jotham Napat elected Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister
Jotham Napat has been elected as Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister, securing the top post unopposed Tuesday. Former Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, leader of the Reunification Movement for Change, nominated Napat, the MP
Vanuatu businesses struggle to maintain wages after earthquake impact
A recent report by the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Department of Labour (DoL) reveals that nearly half of the businesses affected by the 17 December earthquake can only afford to maintain
Vanuatu’s only elected female MP seeks Ministerial role in new government
In a significant step for gender representation in Vanuatu’s political landscape, Marie Louise Milne, the only woman elected to Parliament, is advocating for a ministerial position in the new government. VBTC reports
Coalition parties remain solid prior to Vanuatu Parliament’s first sitting
The alliance of five political parties that signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to form the next Vanuatu government remains solid, with more than 30 Members of Parliament (MPs)-elect on their side. A source
2025 Vanuatu official election results: Solitary woman elected to 52-member parliament
Against all odds one woman has secured a seat in Vanuatu’s 52-member parliament. Marie Louis Paulette Milne, one of only seven women among 216 election candidates, secured 1227 votes to pip her closest rival Tony
How can Vanuatu’s new parliament rebuild public trust?
As communities across Vanuatu welcomed a new year and contemplated multiple aspiring political candidates ahead of the 16 January snap election, a popular reggae song was making the rounds. Ol pipol oli taet (People
Five political parties sign agreement to form the next government
Leaders of five major political parties in Vanuatu — the Leaders Party, Graon mo Jastis Party (GJP), Vanua’aku Party (VP), Iauko Group, and the Reunification Movement for Change (RMC) have come together to sign an
Vanuatu: public frustrated over political situation as after-shocks continue
Frustration is growing in Vanuatu over the snap election, with claims the government has put politics before people. Radio New Zealand reports that ballot boxes are still arriving in Port Vila and official counting is
Vanuatu faces possible return to all-male parliament after snap election
Vanuatu’s only incumbent female parliamentarian has lost her seat in a snap election leaving only one-woman candidate in contention after an unofficial vote count. The unofficial counting at polling locations
Coalition government likely in Vanuatu
Unofficial results in the Vanuatu election show another rainbow coalition is likely, with voters again sending a potpourri of parties to parliament. AAP reports that Vanuatu went to the polls on Thursday in a snap
Vanuatu update: World Bank fast tracks emergency response
The World Bank has fast-tracked US$12 million to the Government of Vanuatu for emergency response and recovery, following a devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake on December 17. This support comes through a Rapid
Services still out in Vanuatu as second earthquake hits
A second earthquake has hit Vanuatu, a day after a strong 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Port Vila. Yesterday’s quake severely damaged several buildings in the capital, crushing cars, and
Jetstar launches Sydney-Vanuatu service, and Qantas now flying to Palau
Jetstar has launched its first direct flights from Sydney to Port Vila, Vanuatu, offering up to four weekly services and connecting travellers to the South Pacific Island nation with more than 80,000 seats annually.
Vanuatu’s Climate Change envoy blasts major emitters Australia, US at ICJ Climate case
Vanuatu’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu, has slammed Australia, the United States, and other major polluters for their stance during the International Court of Justice (ICJ) climate hearings in The
Top UN court hears landmark Vanuatu-led climate case
Vanuatu has opened proceedings in a landmark climate case brought before the UN’s top court, arguing international law and the warming of the atmosphere demands broader action. The Pacific state is leading two
“A death sentence”: Pacific responses to COP29
Vanuatu’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and the Environment has a scathing assessment of COP29’s outcomes. “The commitments made in Baku—the dollar amounts pledged and the emissions reductions promised—are
Opinion: Passports for sale – Lessons for Nauru and Solomon Islands from Vanuatu’s EU rebuke
Vanuatu becomes first country to ever lose EU visa-free access after golden passport scheme poses security threat. Earlier this month Vanuatu received a stinging rebuke from the European Parliament, becoming the first
Vanuatu to launch ICJ hearings on climate and human right
It began five years ago, as an exercise amongst law students at the Emalus campus of the University of the South Pacific in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Now, in the Netherlands, the Republic of Vanuatu will open presentations
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
EU Parliament votes to Permanently end Vanuatu’s Schengen Visa waiver
The European Parliament has voted 62-1, with two abstentions, to end Vanuatu’s visa-free access to the Schengen Area. Parliament Rapporteur Paulo Cunha notes this marks “the first time we have removed a third