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
Vanuatu Parliament dissolution challenged in court
The Vanuatu Opposition bloc has filed a case in court challenging President Nikenike Vurobaravu’s decision to dissolve Parliament amid a no-confidence motion against him. The Vanuatu Daily Post/AAP reports that
Snap election looms in Vanuatu
The president of Vanuatu has dissolved parliament, triggering a snap-election, for the second time in two years. RNZ reports that Nikenike Vurobaravu’s decision comes on the eve of a motion of no-confidence from
Navigating HR Challenges in the Happiest Nation on Earth
This year, Vanuatu proudly claimed the top spot on the Happy Planet Index for the second time since its inception in 2006, surpassing 149 other countries. This ranking reflects our nation’s commitment to well-being,
Last gasp efforts to save Air Vanuatu
As Vanuatu’s government seeks to revive Air Vanuatu, the World Bank has pointed to the airline’s collapse as a cautionary tale about the risks of “opaque State-Owned Enterprise
Protecting the children left behind
A report looking at the impact of labour mobility schemes on children in four Pacific nations has found that while the remittances they generate are critical in supporting families, the schemes are placing physical and
National Policy to advocate against LGBTQIA+ in Vanuatu: MoJCS
Vanuatu's Ministry of Justice and Community Services will appoint a new committee next week to draft a National Policy banning all LGBTQIA+ advocacy and
Vanuatu MP calls on disengaged workers in Australia to return home
Vanuatu’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat, has called for the safe return of over 2,000 nationals who have disengaged from Australian labour mobility
Indonesia criticises Vanuatu’s support for West Papua, Vanuatu stands firm
Indonesia has expressed concerns over Vanuatu's public support for West Papua's independence movement and its diplomatic
