Vanuatu Opposition demands new Speaker

A motion of no confidence was lodged and registered Friday by the Vanuatu Opposition bloc, moved by Johnny Koanapo, Member of Parliament for Tanna Constituency, and Malekula MP Gracia Shadrack, to remove the Speaker of

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Vanuatu PM Kalsakau survive no-confidence vote

Vanuatu narrowly avoided a political crisis as Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday.  Vote of no confidence against PM Kalsakau was defeated as opposition failed to

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Vanuatu National Eye Centre celebrates zero-patient cataract backlog

The Vanuatu National Eye Centre in Port Vila has reached a zero-patient cataract backlog for the first time in several years. Supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ in partnership with the Vanuatu Ministry of

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Klaemet Save: Vanuatu’s new climate brand for a resilient future

Vanuatu has a new brand identity for climate information – Klaemet Save.  The South Pacific Regional Environment Programme reports the new brand has been developed to focus attention on information products that

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Motion of no confidence against Vanuatu PM moved to next week

A motion of no confidence against Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau will now be debated next Wednesday, after the government didn’t appear at Parliament today. Twenty-five members of the Opposition camp attended

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Minimum wage rise increases private sector burden: Vanuatu Opposition

The newly introduced VT300 (US$2.49) minimum wage has increased the burden of the private sector, especially the small medium sized enterprises. This is one of the arguments that the Opposition bloc has cited in the

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ICJ extends submission deadline for Advisory Opinion on climate change

A new timeline has been approved by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for written statements and comments on the landmark Advisory Opinion on the legal responsibilities of countries fighting climate change.

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Vanuatu cabinet reshuffle

Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau has made a cabinet reshuffle. MP for Santo Rural Samson Samsen has been appointed new Minister for Trade. Matai Seremaiah is now Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime

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Former Vanuatu Ambassador to EU calls for body to screen passport applicants

While wishing the Vanuatu Government the best 43rd Independence Anniversary, the first former Ambassador to Africa Caribbean Pacific (ACP) countries in the European Union (EU) from 2007-2018, Roy Mickey Joy is urging

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Emmanuel Macron denounces ‘new imperialism’ in Pacific on historic visit to Vanuatu

French president Emmanuel Macron has denounced “new imperialism” in the Pacific during a landmark visit to the region, warning of a threat to the sovereignty of smaller states. “There is in the Indo-Pacific and

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Vanuatu MP says Macron should act on Matthew and Hunter

As Emmanuel Macron prepares to visit Port Vila on Thursday, a leading member of Vanuatu’s Parliament has called on the French President to address the long-running dispute over Matthew and Hunter Islands and the

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Macron begins Melanesia tour in New Caledonia

French President Emmanuel Macron has begun his five-day visit to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, outlining his “economic, environmental and geopolitical program.” Arriving at Tontouta airport in New

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Solomon Islands, Vanuatu consider forming militaries

Pacific Islands nations, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are considering forming defence forces and have discussed the matter with Australia, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Wednesday. Security partnerships in the

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French President to visit Melanesian nations

In an unprecedented tour, French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea next week, after holding discussions in New Caledonia on the political future of the French Pacific dependency. The

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Pacific nations gather in Samoa for first Loss and Damage dialogue

Pacific people are increasingly suffering loss and damage from superstorms breaking records each year; sea level rise eating away villages and arable land; ocean acidification dissolving our reefs; increasing sea

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Governments set to fail to plot shipping industry course for 1.5C

A campaign by climate-vulnerable Pacific islands to raise governments’ ambition on emissions-cutting for the global shipping industry looks set to fail at talks in London. With just over a day of negotiations left at

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Adapting recruitment practices in the post-COVID world

The COVID-19 global pandemic impacted business, and economic and international development across the Pacific Islands and saw organisations pivot focus to respond to the public health national emergencies and

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MSG a vibrant group despite challenge: Vanuatu Foreign Minister

The fever of the gathering of the Melanesian family through the upcoming 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST) began last week with the gathering of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) foreign Ministers at

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Gulf oil states on a Pacific charm offensive

Gulf oil states are using their vast wealth to build influence across the far-flung South Pacific, experts have told AFP, tearing a page straight out of China’s Belt and Road playbook. Saudi Arabia and the United

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Starlink registers trademark in Vanuatu

The Vanuatu Intellectual Property Office (VanIPO) has confirmed that Starlink have registered its trademark in Vanuatu and are in the process to obtain its broadcasting licence. Starlink will be now in contact with the

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Vanuatu’s Santo Island to be replaced by “Venia” in restoration of original Island names

The Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs and the Tavuemasana Council of Chiefs of Santo are urging the people of Vanuatu to replace the name “Santo Island” with its original name, “Venia.” This revival of the original

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AS Academy Feminine win first-ever OFC Women’s Champions League in Port Moresby

AS Academy Féminine have come from behind to beat Koloale FC 4-1 and deservedly win the inaugural OFC Women’s Champions League title in Port Moresby. The New Caledonian side, who needed at least a draw to clinch

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Vanuatu Police Commissioner suspended

Vanuatu’s Commissioner of Police, Colonel Robson Iavro, has been suspended with effect from Monday, 29 May

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Vanuatu’s Brian Kaltak voted in A-League’s PFA Team of the season

Vanuatu international and Central Coast Mariners defender Brian Kaltak has been voted in the PFA Team of the Season for Australia’s A-League. The imposing stopper has enjoyed an incredible season, his first full

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