PORT VILA. Vanuatu has called for Pacific cultural and traditional knowledge to be protected from use in artificial intelligence systems without free, prior and informed consent, and has urged that this safeguard be made an enforceable requirement rather than a voluntary principle.

The call came as Vanuatu delivered its country statement to the Forum ICT Ministers Meeting in Port Moresby, reporting progress across all six priorities of the Pacific ICT and Digital Transformation Action Plan (PIDTAP) 2024 to 2030.

Vanuatu was represented by Special Envoy on ICT, Hon Fred Samuel, Member of Parliament for Efate Rural Constituency, speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister in his capacity as Minister responsible for Communications and Digital Transformation.

Reflecting on the earthquake that struck Vanuatu in late 2024, Hon. MP Samuel told Ministers the event had permanently changed how Vanuatu country views connectivity.

"When digital connectivity is disrupted, the impacts of a crisis are magnified," he said. "Digital infrastructure is no longer simply a development priority. It is critical national infrastructure and an essential component of resilience."

Vanuatu urged that digital infrastructure must receive the same strategic attention and investment as transport, energy and water, particularly for countries facing among the world's highest levels of climate and disaster risk.

Vanuatu reported that its National ID programme has reached more than 97 per cent of the population, providing a foundation for public service delivery, development planning and disaster response. Mobile penetration has reached 96.13 per cent of the population, while prepaid data prices fell 7 per cent over the past year. This was described as evidence that expanding access and improving affordability can advance together.

Guided by its Digital Transformation Masterplan and the Digital Transformation Act No. 42 of 2025, Vanuatu is committed to digitise all government business processes and deliver key public services online by 2030. Vanuatu continues to seek support from stakeholders and partners in advancing this work.

On infrastructure, the TamTam Submarine Cable Project will end Vanuatu's reliance on a single international cable, adding a second connection through New Caledonia and incorporating SMART cable technology that contributes to seismic monitoring and early warning.

Mr Samuel also highlighted the Smart Island Programme in Malekula, delivered with the International Telecommunication Union, which has trained more than two thousand people in digital literacy and supported Vanuatu's first infrastructure sharing tower. He further pointed to the Economic Micro Hub in Emua Village, which brings connectivity, digital payments and government services closer to rural communities.

Beyond its country statement, Vanuatu advanced positions across the day's main agenda items.

On Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ministers adopted the Digital Technologies and AI Principles for the Pacific, a unified regional framework for ethical AI adoption that will be progressed to Forum Leaders. Vanuatu supported the Principles while calling for the safeguard in protecting Pacific cultural and traditional knowledge to be made an enforceable requirement in the AI Governance Framework now to be developed. Vanuatu is currently procuring the development of its National AI Strategy, and asked that regional technical assistance complement, rather than duplicate, national work already underway.

On online safety, Vanuatu backed a phased regional approach to addressing the harms of social media platforms, particularly on children, youth, women and the elderly. Vanuatu joined calls for greater accountability from global technology companies and for regional cooperation on technology facilitated gender-based violence. Vanuatu asked that any future measures, including age restrictions, be paired with digital literacy and reporting support, noting that for dispersed island communities these platforms remain a vital means of maintaining family and community connection.

On regional governance and cooperation, Vanuatu supported work to strengthen the Forum's ICT governance arrangements and a new regional framework for monitoring progress under PIDTAP. It urged that reporting requirements remain realistic and proportionate for small administrations. Throughout the day, Vanuatu pressed for the particular capacity constraints of Smaller Island States to be reflected directly within regional frameworks, and for stronger cybersecurity cooperation, noting that no Pacific country can address evolving cyber threats alone.

Vanuatu also welcomed strengthened engagement by the International Telecommunication Union in the region, including the proposal for an ITU Area Office in the Pacific.

The Ministers Meeting formed part of a wider Digital Transformation Summit in Port Moresby, running alongside Pacific Cyber Week and the Pacific Cyber Security Operational Network (PaCSON). Vanuatu participated in these parallel events, which brought together regional governments, development partners and industry to strengthen cyber resilience, digital public infrastructure and operational threat sharing across the Pacific. Related activities include a Subregional CyberDrill, co-organised by the International Telecommunication Union and PaCSON, connecting national Computer Incident Response Teams from across the region.

"Our progress will not be measured by the number of systems deployed or the kilometres of cable installed," Hon.MP Samuel said. "It will be measured by whether a citizen in one of our most remote island communities can confidently access government services, participate in digital commerce and receive timely information. Vanuatu remains committed to a digital Pacific where no community is left behind."

On Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ministers adopted the Digital Technologies and AI Principles for the Pacific, a unified regional framework for ethical AI adoption that will be progressed to Forum Leaders. Vanuatu supported the Principles while calling for the safeguard in protecting Pacific cultural and traditional knowledge to be made an enforceable requirement in the AI Governance Framework now to be developed. Vanuatu is currently procuring the development of its National AI Strategy, and asked that regional technical assistance complement, rather than duplicate, national work already underway.

On online safety, Vanuatu backed a phased regional approach to addressing the harms of social media platforms, particularly on children, youth, women and the elderly. Vanuatu joined calls for greater accountability from global technology companies and for regional cooperation on technology facilitated gender-based violence. Vanuatu asked that any future measures, including age restrictions, be paired with digital literacy and reporting support, noting that for dispersed island communities these platforms remain a vital means of maintaining family and community connection.

On regional governance and cooperation, Vanuatu supported work to strengthen the Forum's ICT governance arrangements and a new regional framework for monitoring progress under PIDTAP. It urged that reporting requirements remain realistic and proportionate for small administrations. Throughout the day, Vanuatu pressed for the particular capacity constraints of Smaller Island States to be reflected directly within regional frameworks, and for stronger cybersecurity cooperation, noting that no Pacific country can address evolving cyber threats alone.

Vanuatu also welcomed strengthened engagement by the International Telecommunication Union in the region, including the proposal for an ITU Area Office in the Pacific.

The Ministers Meeting formed part of a wider Digital Transformation Summit in Port Moresby, running alongside Pacific Cyber Week and the Pacific Cyber Security Operational Network (PaCSON). Vanuatu participated in these parallel events, which brought together regional governments, development partners and industry to strengthen cyber resilience, digital public infrastructure and operational threat sharing across the Pacific. Related activities include a Subregional CyberDrill, co-organised by the International Telecommunication Union and PaCSON, connecting national Computer Incident Response Teams from across the region.

"Our progress will not be measured by the number of systems deployed or the kilometres of cable installed," Hon.MP Samuel said. "It will be measured by whether a citizen in one of our most remote island communities can confidently access government services, participate in digital commerce and receive timely information. Vanuatu remains committed to a digital Pacific where no community is left behind."

Port Vila, Vanuatu – August 3, 2026 –The Government today marks an important milestone in the restoration of the powers of the Executive with a landmark ruling delivered this morning by the Vanuatu Supreme Court in the matter between the Vanuatu Public Service Commission and the Government, naming Prime Minister Hon. Jotham Napat and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Johnny Koanapo Rasou.

On 29 January 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Economic Management, Hon. Johnny Koanapo, acting on a decision of the Council of Ministers, revoked a previous COM decision of 2017 and transferred the fleet and housing functions back to line Ministries.  

The COM also approved the formal assignment of the Government Housing Portfolio to the Architects Unit of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities.

The Public Service Commission challenged that decision. 

Lawyers from the Office of the Attorney General, acting on behalf of Government, filed an application to strike out the PSC’s claim in its entirety on two grounds:  

1. That the PSC failed to comply with Section 6 of the State Proceedings Act to provide notice of intention to commence proceedings against the Government; and  

2. That the PSC Board members had no legal standing, as the PSC is a constitutional entity of the Government as defined by law.

The PSC opposed both grounds, arguing that as a constitutional body its functions are independent of the Executive and that the Government had no authority to act.

At the heart of the matter was a key constitutional question: Does the Prime Minister and the Executive have the same administrative powers?

The PSC has argued since the formation of this Government that the Executive cannot direct or make decisions affecting the PSC. It further argued that under Section 9(4) of the PSC Act, read with Article 60 of the Constitution, no Minister, including the Prime Minister, can “delay, inhibit, restrict, affect, hinder, obstruct, impede or hamper” the functions of the PSC.

That argument was rejected this morning.

In her ruling, Justice Beverleigh K. Joshua found that employment issues relate specifically to the hiring of staff, their contractual duties and responsibilities, discipline, suspension and termination. 

“Without the fleet/housing functions services can still be provided...,” the Judge stated.  

“Therefore I find that the two functions are not ‘employment issues’ per se...”

On that basis, Her Honour upheld both grounds of the Government’s strikeout application and ruled that the PSC Board and its members do not have legal standing to bring the claim.

This decision affirms the constitutional authority of the Council of Ministers and the Executive to direct policy and to assign government functions to line Ministries for better service delivery.

Prime Minister Hon. Jotham Napat welcomed the ruling, stating:  

“This Government was elected to govern and to make decisions in the best interest of our people. This ruling confirms that the Executive has both the responsibility and the power to do so. We are slowly but surely restoring the proper balance and authority of Government.”

Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Johnny Koanapo Rasou said the transfer of fleet and housing functions was always about efficiency and accountability.  

“These are service delivery functions. They belong with the Ministries that build, maintain and manage them. The Court has now confirmed that.”

The Office of the Prime Minister calls on all public institutions to respect the separation of powers and to work with the Executive to deliver services to the people of Vanuatu.

Port Vila, Vanuatu – July 14, 2026 – In a significant meeting convened today, Hon Jotham Napat, the Prime Minister, engaged in discussions with the surviving pioneers of Vanuatu's independence.

The leaders gathered to deliberate on the latest developments regarding the final negotiations with France concerning the contentious Mathew and Hunter Islands. Despite intensive diplomatic manoeuvres, France has firmly upheld its claim of sovereignty over these two islands. This outcome has left Vanuatu to consider its next steps in addressing this lingering territorial dispute, prompting reflections on the nation’s future and the legacy of its founders.

During the meeting, Hon Prime Minister Napat provided a comprehensive briefing on the negotiations, which underscored the complexities of the relationship with France. “While we acknowledge France's stance, this is not the end of our journey,” said the Prime Minister. “We are determined to explore all legal avenues available to us to resolve this issue in accordance with international law.”

The discussion with the pioneers—who played a vital role in Vanuatu’s journey to independence — was marked by a shared sense of patriotism and commitment to the nation's sovereignty. The pioneers expressed their unwavering support for the Prime Minister and his government in pursuing a legal resolution. They emphasized the importance of prioritizing Vanuatu's national interests while enhancing relationships within the Kanak community.

“The support of our independence pioneers reinforces our resolve and unity as a nation,” Prime Minister Napat remarked. “We will continue to work closely with both local and international partners to ensure that Vanuatu’s claims are heard and respected.”

Additionally, the Prime Minister outlined plans to strengthen ties with the Kanak people, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the nation’s history and identity. By enhancing these relationships, the government aims to foster greater solidarity and collaboration in the pursuit of national goals.

As the government moves forward, it will consult further with legal experts and community leaders to evaluate potential strategies to advocate for Vanuatu's claims over the islands while maintaining constructive diplomatic relations with France.