In his recent courtesy visit to Prime Minister Jotham Napat, Excellency Dirk Wagener, the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) for the Pacific, exchanged constructive views on issues of collaboration and mutual interest.

Initially, the Prime Minister welcomed the UNRC and commended Mr Wagener’s strong leadership in supporting the Vanuatu NSDP 2030 priorities. Words of acknowledgement extended to the UNRC for the humanitarian support by the UN during the aftermath of cyclone Pam, the twin Judy and Keven, Harold, Volcanic ash in Tanna, and the recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake at the end of 2024.

The UNRC congratulated the Prime Minister on his election and formally conveyed congratulations on behalf of the UN Secretary-General to the Government. He re-affirmed that UN remains committed to working closely with the new Government to advance key priorities, including climate change, recovery, and the SDGs, in these critical times.

With regards to the International Climate Change Advisory Opinion (ICJ) on the Climate Change initiative, the Prime Minister highlighted that Vanuatu with other climate vulnerable countries, including SIDS, made some strong arguments in favour of the initiative.

The Advisory Opinion outcome is expected in mid-2025, and will be brought back to the UNGA for a resolution on the AO outcome. Accordingly, the Prime Minister has solicited the support of UN in ensuring that the AO decision be placed as an agenda for the September-October 2025 on the UN calendar.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that while we may not have a consensus, like the initial UNGA resolution advising the ICJ to take on the AO proceedings, given the anticipated sensitivity of the ICJAO outcome, we remain hopeful for a wide majority of support from the UN members.

The Prime Minister also sought UN support on the United Nation peace keeping deployment for our police and military officers.

He requested for the UNRC to work with the United Nations Peace Keeping Operation (UNKPO) to ensure the deployment of the six officers that have been selected, after pre-deployment training in Jakarta in 2024, to be deployed to South Sudan as per prior arrangements.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister confirmed that COM has endorsed for the relocation of the United Nations Joint Presence Office (UNJPO) in Vanuatu to the ABC Center Building, as per our host country agreements.

In the long-term plan the Prime Minister said that COM has endorsed plans to provide land for a UN House purposely to expand the UN presence in country.

In responding to the prime minister’s soliciting views on the US President’s abrupt executive orders and withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the WHO and USAID, Mr. Wagener affirmed that the UN Charter allows for UN reform, and correspondingly, the UN will reform its institutions to cater for the funding losses.

He further affirmed that SIDS, like Vanuatu, are a priority group under UN for at least the forthcoming decades given our vulnerability, and the funding losses will not be felt heavily within our region.

Tuesday 18^th March, 2025 – The Government of Vanuatu acknowledges recent media reports regarding the country’s inclusion in a draft U.S. immigration watchlist.

At this stage, the Government has received no formal communication from the U.S. authorities on this matter but expects to engage in discussions in due course.

It is important to note that eight of the countries listed have citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, and that Vanuatu has significantly strengthened its own program over the past years, particularly in due diligence and applicant screening.

Vanuatu maintains a strict list of restricted nationalities that are ineligible to apply for citizenship, ensuring that only applicants who meet stringent security and compliance measures can qualify.

The Government of Vanuatu welcomes feedback from international partners and remains committed to continuously strengthening its citizenship program.

We will carefully consider any recommendations that help align with global best practices while ensuring that the program continues to generate critical revenue for national development. This is particularly important as traditional development assistance declines, requiring Vanuatu to pursue sustainable and responsible revenue streams.

Further announcements will be made by the Prime Minister’s Office as discussions progress.

Monday 10^th March 2025 – Prime Minister Jotham Napat has today directed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the Vanuatu passport issued to Mr Lalit Modi following recent revelations in international media.

"I have instructed the Citizenship Commission to immediately begin proceedings to cancel Mr Modi's Vanuatu passport.

“While all standard background checks, including Interpol screenings, conducted during his application showed no criminal convictions, I have been made aware in the past 24 hours that Interpol twice rejected Indian authorities' requests to issue an alert notice on Mr Modi due to lack of substantive judicial evidence. Any such alert would have triggered an automatic rejection of Mr Modi's citizenship application,” says Prime Minister Napat.

The Prime Minister emphasised that holding a Vanuatu passport is a privilege, not a right, and applicants must seek citizenship for legitimate reasons.

"None of those legitimate reasons include attempting to avoid extradition, which the recent facts brought to light clearly indicate was Mr Modi's intension," says the Prime Minister.

The Government of Vanuatu has significantly strengthened the due diligence aspect of its Citizenship by Investment Program over the past four years, resulting in a marked increase in applications failing the enhanced scrutiny undertaken by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit. The improved process implemented several years ago includes triple-agency checks, including Interpol verification.

"We acknowledge that the individual at the centre of this matter faces allegations that have yet to be proven in court, and we wish him well in addressing these matters. However, he will not be facing them as a Vanuatu citizen," he says.

Prime Minister Napat clarified that Vanuatu's Citizenship by Investment program continues to welcome applicants with legitimate intentions, such as those seeking to relocate to a safe and beautiful country.

"We have seen an increasing number of citizens through our investment program choosing to make Vanuatu their home due to ongoing turmoil in various parts of the world, and we welcome them wholeheartedly.

"However, my message must be absolutely clear: as Prime Minister, we will not harbour fugitives or criminals. We have zero tolerance for those seeking to use our citizenship program to evade justice. If that is your intention, I strongly advise you to look elsewhere,” warns the head of the country.

Monday 10^th March 2025 – Air Vanuatu’s operations under the new company AV3 – remains a key focus under the Government’s 100-days plan, to ensure passengers can continue to travel within the country.

The Government fully understands the level of frustration customers of Air Vanuatu have. However, the Government calls for patience as it works its way through the current state of affairs to restore the airline within the next three months or so with a particular focus on the domestic service before considering the next steps.

To update everyone, currently the shareholders are awaiting recommendations from the Board of Directors on proposals from two companies – both of which have proposals to partner with AV3. There is also an offer from Australia that is on the table involving Fiji Airways in a temporary six month arrangement. However, Prime Minister Jotham Napat recently told visiting Australian minister for International Development and Pacific Affairs Pat Conroy that the offer remains an option until all other options have been explored.

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo who is one of the shareholders, wants to give all the options due consideration before deciding the long-term future of the airline.

All of these, amidst a liquidation process that is yet to be properly wrapped up by Ernest and Young.

The Deputy Prime Minister says as soon as the liquidators have filed their final reports then the Government can release final payments of over Vt200 million.

He says the shareholders are somewhat hamstrung by the liquidation process, which means the AV3 Board remains under temporary directorship of former deputy prime minister Matai Seremiah. It will remain so until a proper board of directors is recruited under the new Commercial Business Enterprise Act, which was passed in parliament last year.

Under the new Act, all future board of directors must be advertised publicly and their appointment done on merit. It means anyone will be able to apply once advertised, a shift away from the former practice.

The Deputy Prime Minister also says Air Vanuatu has been operating under an Articles of Association and the Companies Act, which were not robust enough. The government is adamant that with AV3 and Air Vanuatu operations coming under the new Act, Air Vanuatu should find its feet again and operate more as a proper commercial entity without politicians or anyone getting a foothold in its management – the key reason for the airline’s demise.

As far as this Government is concerned, the airline is so vital to our connectivity and for the tourism industry. We are tackling so many issues but given enough time, the airline should be back up. The airline’s domestic service is being prioritized over the international service, which is why a billion vatu in the 2025 budget is ear-marked towards purchasing of two new Twin Otters, the Deputy Prime Minister has already declared publicly.