NAKAMAL COMMITTEE MEETING OUTCOMES STATEMENT
Thursday 15 October 2026
Australia and Vanuatu convened the inaugural meeting of the Nakamal Committee on 15 October 2026 at Parliament House in Canberra.
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, welcomed the Vanuatu delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Economic Management, the Hon Johnny Koanapo, to Canberra.
The Nakamal Committee is a new bilateral forum established under the Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement to guide its implementation and support ongoing dialogue between our governments. The Nakamal Agreement elevates our bilateral relationship and deepens economic, security and people-to-people cooperation.
The Agreement is progressing through Australia’s domestic treaty-making processes with Vanuatu having completed its domestic processes.
The Vanuatu delegation received a traditional Welcome to Country led by Aunty Serena Williams and met with Australian South Sea Islander representatives and Australia’s Ambassador for First Nations People. Together, we reflected on the painful history of blackbirding and discussed our shared commitment to strengthen connections between First Nations, Australian South Sea Islander and ni-Vanuatu communities. This commitment to acknowledge our shared history, deepen dialogue and strengthen cultural connections is at the heart of the Nakamal Agreement.
Vanuatu’s Minister of Youth, Justice and Community Services, the Hon Job Andy, also visited the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies as part of our commitment to enhancing cultural connections.
The Nakamal Committee agreed priorities for early implementation of the Agreement, including strengthened policing cooperation, budget support, climate cooperation and assistance for ni-Vanuatu communities affected by El Niño and volcanic ash.
The Nakamal Agreement commits Australia and Vanuatu to work together to support Vanuatu’s economic transformation. The Vanuatu delegation met with representatives of the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific to discuss Vanuatu’s infrastructure priorities, including maritime and aviation infrastructure and rebuilding efforts in Port Vila, Santo and Tanna.
Ministers committed to early delivery of two renewable energy and water projects. These will provide renewable electricity, lighting and clean water to schools and community facilities in remote communities, and solar-powered water supply systems to improve access to water.
Ministers reaffirmed our shared commitment to respond together to the security challenges facing our region, including the existential threat of climate change. Australia and Vanuatu share an enduring interest in a peaceful, stable, prosperous and secure Pacific, and the Nakamal Agreement reflects our shared commitment to Pacific-led approaches to regional security.
Vanuatu took the opportunity to update Australia on its policing arrangement with China. Vanuatu noted the Nakamal Agreement recognises Australia as Vanuatu’s longstanding primary policing partner.
Vanuatu reaffirmed its commitment in the Nakamal Agreement that it would prioritise any policing requests to Pacific Islands Forum members. Vanuatu said its police arrangement with China had been in place for some time, is time-limited and expected to reduce over time, whereas the Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement is legally binding and has no expiry date.
Deputy Prime Minister Koanapo held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence the Hon Richard Marles MP. The two Deputy Prime Ministers welcomed the work underway under the Nakamal Agreement. They discussed regional security priorities and challenges, and the longstanding cooperation between the Australian Defence Force and the Vanuatu Police Force, including the Police Maritime Wing through the provision of the vessels RVS Takuare and RVS Sokomanu.
Deputy Prime Minister Koanapo met with Minister for Home Affairs the Hon Tony Burke MP. Minister Burke outlined that Vanuatu would be exempted from increases to Australia’s international student visa fees. Deputy Prime Minister Koanapo thanked Minister Burke for the Australian Government’s strong commitment to protecting PALM workers’ rights. Minister Burke reaffirmed this was a high priority for Australia.
The inaugural Nakamal Committee marked an important step forward in implementing the Agreement and elevating the relationship between Australia and Vanuatu. We will continue to work together as equal partners, guided by the spirit of Nakamal: mutual respect, trust and understanding.
Australia and Vanuatu look forward to celebrating the benefits of our Nakamal Agreement leading up to Vanuatu’s Golden Jubilee – 50 years of Independence – in 2030. Vanuatu and Australia will continue to discuss and agree Nakamal implementation priorities leading up to this historic milestone.