Prime Minister Jotham Napat appointed Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo as Lead Negotiator for Maritime Boundary Delimitation, Sovereignty, and Decolonisation matters in August 2025.
Johnny Koanapo has extensive experience in economic management, foreign affairs, and public policy.
Elected to Parliament in 2016 as a representative for Tanna, Johnny Koanapo has served in several senior ministerial portfolios, most notably as Minister of Finance and Economic Management. In 2025, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, playing a central role in national leadership, economic strategy, and high-level diplomatic engagement.
In August 2025 he was appointed to the role of Lead Negotiator, leading discussions on behalf of the Government on maritime delimitation, sovereignty over Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter) islands, and decolonisation.
“Vanuatu’s journey to independence will only be complete when we have secured sovereignty over our land and our seas. It is an honour to serve as Lead Negotiator on behalf of the people of Vanuatu to pursue international recognition that Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter) islands belong to Vanuatu, and to secure permanent maritime boundaries in our seas.”
- Lead Negotiator
Current negotiations
Negotiations are currently underway between the governments of Vanuatu and France to resolve sovereignty over Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter) islands and establish a permanent maritime boundary between Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
These negotiations follow a bilateral meeting held in Paris in July 2025 with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Jotham Napat and Deputy Prime Minister and Lead Negotiator Johnny Koanapo. The leaders agreed to find a pathway to resolution and instructed their teams to start formal negotiations.
The first round of negotiations took place between Vanuatu and France on 20th and 21st November 2025. Led by Special Envoy Director Benoît Guidée, the French delegation came to Port Vila from Paris for the talks. Prime Minister Jotham Napat gave opening remarks, and Lead Negotiator Johnny Koanapo chaired the meeting on behalf of Vanuatu. Chiefs from Aneityum, Futuna, and Tanna participated in the negotiations, giving presentations about the significance of the islands to Vanuatu.
The second round of negotiations is scheduled for mid-2026.
The Government of Vanuatu is unified in its pursuit of sovereignty of Umaenupne and Umaeneg/Leka islands and has prioritised the finalisation of its maritime boundaries as a matter of national interest.
Clearly defined and agreed maritime boundaries between Vanuatu and New Caledonia, and confirming ni-Vanuatu sovereignty over Umaenupneand Umaeneg/Leka islands will complete Vanuatu’s journey to independence and help finalise the decolonisation process.
A resolution will also strengthen the already close bilateral relationship between Vanuatu and France and foster regional cooperation and stability.
Maritime Boundary Sovereignty and Decolonisation Unit
The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Lead Negotiator Johnny Koanapo established the Maritime Boundary Sovereignty and Decolonisation Unit to support the Lead Negotiator and the national effort to finalise Vanuatu’s permanent maritime boundaries and secure sovereignty over Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter) islands.
The task of securing the return of territory and resolving maritime boundaries requires a dedicated team to coordinate the legal, political, diplomatic and commercial workstreams. This is best conducted by an independent team that can focus the government’s efforts towards achieving a mutual goal.
Useful links:
- Joint communique following November talks
- Lead negotiator address to Parliament
- Fact Sheet
- Melanesian Ocean Summit - https://www.melanesianoceansummit.com/news/
Images
- Map
- Map
- Images from Fact Sheet
