Port VILA, 5th December, 2025 – The Prime Minister Jotham Napat today met with partners at the Second Development Partners Round Table Toktok, reflecting on national progress and outlining priorities for the years ahead.

    He thanked valued partners — including Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the World Bank, the United Nations, and SPC — for their steadfast support following the devastating 2024 earthquake. Their rapid and generous assistance helped communities recover and ensured essential services were restored without delay.

    The Prime Minister signalled that Vanuatu’s single highest priority for the coming years is economic transformation. He explained that this shift is essential to building a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive economy capable of withstanding global pressures. Unlocking growth will require removing barriers to investment, improving the business environment, advancing key sectors such as tourism and agriculture, and ensuring infrastructure and services keep pace with national needs. Above all, he emphasised that people — their health, education, and opportunities — will drive this transformation and shape the nation’s long-term success.

    He also spoke candidly about the need for improvement, noting that stronger monitoring, greater transparency, and clearer accountability will be essential as national activities move forward. These measures will help ensure that public efforts translate into real, visible benefits for communities.

    The Prime Minister expressed deep gratitude for all that partners continue to contribute — and confidence that, through honest collaboration and shared purpose, Vanuatu can build a more prosperous and secure future for every ni-Vanuatu.

    Updates from the Ministry of Health (MoH) released as its third-quarter report for 2025, highlights significant achievements by the ministry in strengthening national health systems and improving service delivery across the country.

     

    According to the report, Vanuatu has made notable progress in reducing malaria cases, with Torba Province marking a milestone towards national elimination. Sustained interventions, including active case detection and vector control, are ongoing in Sanma and Penama Provinces, aiming for nationwide malaria elimination by 2030.

     

    The Ministry has also rolled out nationwide TB catch-up screening programs, identifying and treating active cases, and promoting healthy diets and physical activity through public awareness campaigns.

     

    Cancer screening programs have been expanded, focusing on women's cancers, and HIV screening centres are set to launch in 2026.

     

    The Vanuatu Hospital Redevelopment Program is underway, with Phase 1 completed for five provincial hospitals and Phase 3 set to commence at the Vanuatu National Hospital. Diagnostic services have been enhanced, with CT Scan and Mammogram services now operational.

     

    “These achievements reaffirm the Government's commitment to universal, quality healthcare for every Ni-Vanuatu," says the Ministry of Health.

     

    The report also highlights infrastructure upgrades, including laboratory modernisation and the installation of echocardiogram machines. Provincial updates include the completion of Quatvaes Hospital equipment installation and the establishment of a new NCD Hub in Sanma.

     

    The Ministry is addressing challenges, including staffing and recruitment delays, and low community acceptance of HPV and Routine vaccines. Sustained budget support and workforce training are essential to maintaining progress.

     

    The Ministry of Health remains committed to delivering quality healthcare for all Ni-Vanuatu, building a resilient and modern health system for the future.

     

    For details the public can access more of these here, as well as a breakdown of how much funds the Government has distributed throughout all the provinces of the country, through the various interventions of the government.

     

    Port VILA, 21st November, 2025 –The Government of Vanuatu, led by Prime Minister Hon. Jotham Napat and Deputy Prime Minister and Lead Negotiator Hon. Johnny Koanapo Rasou has concluded the first round of negotiations with France on sovereignty over Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneg/Leka (Hunter) islands and permanent maritime boundaries between Vanuatu and New Caledonia (France).

    A delegation from Paris, led by Special Envoy Director Benoît Guidée arrived in Port Vila on Thursday 20th November for talks between the two nations, which concluded on Friday 21st November.

    These negotiations follow a successful visit to Paris in July 2025 by Prime Minister Jotham Napat to meet French President, Emmanuel Macron.  During that visit the leaders discussed pathways forward on resolving sovereignty over Umaenupne and Umaeneg/Leka islands and the delimitation of their maritime boundaries and the two leaders instructed their teams to engage in negotiations.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Lead Negotiator Johnny Koanapo Rasou chaired the meeting for the Vanuatu delegation, following opening remarks delivered by the Prime Minister. Chiefs from the southern islands of Aneityum, Futuna, and Tanna also travelled to Port Vila to convey the significance of the islands and the important role they play in cultural life. 

    Deputy Prime Minister said discussions about sovereignty and maritime boundaries centre on the issue of accountability for colonial rule.

    “This is about accountability for the cultural and economic deprivation faced by our people - the legacy of which persists today. There is a moral obligation to uphold the rights of indigenous communities whose heritage and identity are inseparable from the land they call home.

    “Umaenupne and Umaeneg/Leka islands have been part of Vanuatu for generations. They are intrinsically linked to the religious fabric of our nation, holding significant sacred and cultural value for ni-Van people. We are confident that these negotiations provide a platform for future progress.  Importantly, both sides engaged with goodwill, transparency, and a shared commitment to resolution.” 

    Vanuatu and France have agreed to schedule a second round of negotiations in Paris for early 2026.

    Port VILA, 21st November, 2025 – The Vanuatu Government is disappointed by the blatant misrepresentation of our nation's decision to amend its national security legislation.

     

    Contrary to reports carried in the Australian media, Vanuatu has not "expelled" any foreign advisers.

     

    Rather, we have introduced measures to ensure that foreign advisers working on national security are stationed at neutral venues or their respective embassies, maintaining a clear line of demarcation and respect for Vanuatu's sovereignty, says Prime Minister Jotham Napat, in response to reports carried by both the ABC and the Epoch Times this week.

     

    The decision by Parliament to amend the National Security Act is a reaffirmation of Vanuatu's commitment to its longstanding non-aligned status and its determination to make decisions in the best interest of its people. The Government will not be swayed by external pressures or influenced by any foreign power. As a sovereign State Vanuatu is committed to making decisions that benefit our people, not beholden to any external agenda.

     

    Vanuatu has a proud history of maintaining good relations with all its partners, including US, China, Australia, France, Japan and New Zealand. “We will continue to work with all countries to achieve our development goals, but we will do so on our own terms.

     

    “We urge all partners to respect Vanuatu's sovereignty and decisions. We value our partnerships and are committed to working together to achieve mutual goals. However, we will not accept any patronizing overtones. Vanuatu is a sovereign nation, and we will assert our right to make decisions that are in the best interest of our people.

     

    “We call on all citizens to remain vigilant and united in defence of our sovereignty. Together, we can build a brighter future for Vanuatu, free from external interference and influence,” says the Prime Minister.

    Port VILA, 17th November, 2025 – Recent amendments to the National Security Act of 2025 may have sparked some confusion among the public and media, prompting the Office of the Prime Minister to issue this statement to clarify the rationale of the amendments.

     

    Firstly, the amendments aim to strengthen Vanuatu's sovereignty and neutrality amidst growing geopolitical interest in the Pacific.

     

    The changes now require foreign advisers working in the national security space to be stationed at neutral venues or their respective embassies and obtain ministerial authorization before accessing government premises to undertake any security assignments.

     

    Prime Minister Jotham Napat emphasized that this move is necessary to protect Vanuatu's sovereignty and ensure independent decision-making, avoiding entanglement in partner countries' geopolitical rivalries.

     

    "We value all our partners. We know that amidst the current climate of heightened interest in the region, more and more Vanuatu continues to attract attention. Parliament has acted simply to protect our own shores," Prime Minister Napat said.

     

    "We are a peaceful country and we wish to maintain that status as far as possible because our existence depends on it,” he said.

     

    The amendments do not concern advisers working in other government offices, but they ensure bilateral and multilateral security arrangements are thoroughly vetted and approved by the Government.

     

    Additionally, the amendments provide guidance on scientific research, outlining proper processes for approval.

     

    The national parliament also passed amendments ensuring critical infrastructure isn't used for military purposes, countering narratives that public infrastructures are being built for such purposes.

     

    Critical infrastructure includes essential systems, assets, and networks vital for Vanuatu's public safety, security, and health, such as communications, energy, water and sanitation, transport, banking and finance, and health services.

     

    These amendments reflect Vanuatu's commitment to maintaining its non-aligned status and protect its sovereignty in the face of growing regional interest.

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