PORT VILA, 21 May 2026 – The United Nations General Assembly today adopted by overwhelming support a landmark resolution welcoming the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of States in respect of climate change, marking a historic moment for international law, climate justice, and multilateral cooperation.

    The resolution, introduced by Vanuatu on behalf of the Core Group of States - Barbados, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Jamaica, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States), the Netherlands, Palau, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Singapore - leading the initiative, follows the Court’s unanimous 2025 Advisory Opinion clarifying that States have binding obligations under international law to protect the climate system and that failurePRs to take appropriate action may carry legal consequences.

    The adopted resolution welcomes the Opinion, calls on States to act consistently with their obligations under international law and the Paris Agreement, and establishes follow-up through a report of the Secretary-General and continued consideration by the General Assembly.

    Speaking following the adoption, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Minister of Climate Change, said:

    “Today the international community affirmed that climate change is not only a political and economic challenge, but a matter of law, justice, and human rights. For vulnerable countries like Vanuatu, this resolution is deeply significant because it confirms that no State is above its obligations to protect people, future generations, and our planet. This is a victory for multilateralism, for the rule of law, and for communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.”

    The ICJ Advisory Opinion was requested by the General Assembly in March 2023 through resolution 77/276, following a global campaign initiated by Pacific youth and championed by Vanuatu. The Court’s Opinion clarified that obligations relating to climate change arise not only under the UN climate treaties, but also under broader international law, including human rights law, the law of the sea, and customary international law.

    H.E. Ambassador Odo Tevi, Permanent Representative of Vanuatu to the United Nations, said:

    “The General Assembly has now taken the institutionally appropriate step of welcoming the Court’s guidance and committing to act upon it. This outcome matters enormously for the credibility of international law and the multilateral system. The Court spoke unanimously, and today the Assembly demonstrated that the United Nations remains capable of responding to legal clarity with seriousness, unity, and good faith.”

    During the negotiations, the Core Group worked extensively with all regional groups and delegations to produce a balanced, cross-regional resolution grounded firmly in the Court’s findings and in agreed international frameworks, including the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.

    Lee-Anne Sackett, Vanuatu’s Special Envoy for Climate Justice, said:

    “This resolution sends a powerful message to vulnerable communities everywhere that the United Nations will not look away from the legal and human consequences of the climate crisis. The ICJ has provided a legal blueprint for climate action and climate justice. Today, Member States chose to stand behind that blueprint and reaffirm that the rule of law must guide the global response to climate change.”

    Vanuatu also paid tribute to the Pacific and global youth movement whose advocacy led to the request for the Advisory Opinion and helped sustain momentum throughout the process.

    “The vision and determination of young people made this possible,” Minister Regenvanu added. “From classrooms in the Pacific to the Peace Palace in The Hague, this movement has shown what principled leadership and collective action can achieve.”

    Vanuatu and the Core Group expressed appreciation to all 141 Member States that co-sponsored or supported the resolution and called for continued engagement in the implementation and follow-up process.

    Port Vila, Vanuatu – 21st April, 2026 — Today’s Daily Post report suggesting Vanuatu may be moving toward a security agreement with China was grossly misguided and inaccurate.  

     The agreement being discussed between Vanuatu and the People’s Republic of China is not a security agreement. It is a comprehensive development cooperation agreement between Vanuatu and one of its key long-standing partners.  

     Cooperation with China, as with all our partners, focuses on infrastructure development, capacity building, and economic support — areas critical to the development priorities of Vanuatu. As the Chinese Embassy has correctly stated, this cooperation strictly follows the principle of respect for sovereignty and independence of Vanuatu.  

     Vanuatu has maintained its long-term position as a non-aligned country and we will continue to be friends to all. That position has not changed. We value all our partnerships with Australia, China, and all our development partners who respect our sovereignty.  

     Vanuatu will decide what is good for Vanuatu. We will not be dictated to. Our foreign policy is guided by our national interests, not by external speculation or pressure.  

     Suggestions that our partnerships could affect visa arrangements or other bilateral matters are unhelpful and not a cultural reflection of Nakamal values. Vanuatu’s relationships are not exclusive. We engage with multiple partners because, as a Small Island Developing State (SID), we must pursue all avenues for development that deliver for our people.  

     As previously stated by Government, delays in finalising the Nakamal Agreement with Australia are not at all linked to China. Officials are continuing close engagement to ensure any agreement with any partner reflects Vanuatu’s interests as high priority in ensuring its longevity.

    Port Vila, Vanuatu – 21st April, 2026 — The attendance of two Ministers and the Director for Digital Transformation at the recent World Internet Conference in Hong Kong was approved by Prime Minister Jotham Napat as Minister responsible for ICT and digital technology — and it was both imperative and right.  

     The Prime Minister does not approve travel for the sake of travel. Every overseas engagement is assessed on national interest.  

     “In this day and age, it is no longer acceptable for leaders in Parliament to be detached from the reality of today’s digital technology, the onslaught of AI, and the critical issues of cyberspace and security. Gone are the days when leaders or lawmakers can only rely on technical officers for advice. Political leaders make policy. They pass laws. They commit public funds. They cannot do that blindly. They must be on top of their game,” said Prime Minister Hon. Jotham Napat.  

     Sending Ministers to the World Internet Conference is not “stupidity” — it is forward-looking. Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybercrime, data sovereignty, and digital infrastructure are now core governance issues, not niche technical topics. Decisions made in these spaces affect every Ni-Vanuatu citizen.  

     The Director for Digital Transformation Mr John Jack also attended alongside the two Ministers, one of whom is the Minister responsible for national security - precisely to ensure technical continuity and to brief the wider public service on outcomes. But Ministers lead. If we expect them to legislate on digital technology, cybercrime, data protection, and AI regulation, then they must be exposed to global best practice and expert dialogue.  

     Vanuatu cannot afford to have a Parliament that is digitally illiterate while the world moves ahead. That would be the real misuse of prioritisation.  

     In 2025, Vanuatu and Fiji took important steps towards addressing cybercrime by ratifying the Budabest Convention on Cybercrime. Prior to that ratification Minister Napuat himself attended the ‘Parliamentarians for Global Action on Cybercrime in June in Fiji. This meeting was following in similar veins and should not be a surprise.

     The Government will continue to ensure that both political leaders and technical officials are equipped to navigate the digital era. That is not a luxury. It is a necessity for national security and development.  

    Port Vila, Vanuatu - April 17th, 2026 — The Government of Vanuatu advises the public of an imminent increase in domestic fuel prices due to significant changes in the global oil market.  

     Effective Saturday, 18 April 2026, the retail price of petrol will increase from 166 Vatu per litre to 223 Vatu per litre. The price of diesel will increase from 155 Vatu per litre to 254 Vatu per litre, with the adjustment expected to take effect early next week.  

     Prime Minister Hon. Jotham Napat said the increases are a direct consequence of ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflict in the Middle East, particularly involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.  

     “These developments are beyond the control of the Government of Vanuatu and are affecting countries worldwide, not Vanuatu alone,” Prime Minister Napat said. “As a small island developing state dependent on imported fuel for electricity and transport, we remain highly vulnerable to these external shocks. The landing cost of fuel at our shores is set by international market forces outside our influence.”  

     To cushion the impact on the economy and livelihoods, the Government will implement a temporary support mechanism over six months. Assistance will be targeted at critical sectors: electricity for utility company (UNELCO), sea transport, air transport, public land transport, and agriculture.  

     The Government has held discussions with UNELCO to ensure electricity bills do not increase.  

     “With the excise refund approved by the Council of Ministers yesterday, households and businesses will not see higher electricity bills as a result of this fuel price adjustment,” he said. “Our priority is to protect essential services and limit cost increases being passed on to consumers through higher prices for goods and services.”  

     The Government also confirms that it has held discussions with the Port Vila Land Transport Authority (PLTA) to ensure that with the cash subsidy to transport owners, bus fares and other costs will also not go up.

     Due to the scale of the increase, the Government acknowledged it will not be able to support all fuel consumers. The targeted approach focuses on sectors essential to the functioning of the economy and service delivery.  

     Government strongly discourages stockpiling of fuel for future use or resale at inflated prices and will work with fuel suppliers and relevant authorities to monitor supply and ensure fair access for all.  

     Citizens, particularly private vehicle owners, are urged to adopt fuel-efficient practices. Reducing unnecessary travel, maintaining vehicles properly, and carpooling where possible will help mitigate the impact of rising costs.  

     “The factors driving these price increases are outside national control,” Prime Minister Napat said. “But every effort is being made to manage their impact responsibly and equitably. Government will closely monitor developments in the Middle East and global fuel markets over the next three months.” 

    The Government has launched an initiative to develop a Sustainable Blue Economy Roadmap, led by the Department of Oceans and Maritime Affairs with support from the Waitt Institute through Blue Prosperity Vanuatu (BPV).

     The Roadmap aims to provide a guide towards the development of Vanuatu's Blue Economy, to demonstrate how healthy, protected ocean areas can drive economic growth, and to outline a clear path to establishing a prosperous ocean economy.

     "This Roadmap reflects our Government's vision for a Stable, Sustainable, and Prosperous Vanuatu, as set out in our National Development Plan. It is a key priority for our Government and for the future of our people and our ocean. We are grateful for the support from the Waitt Institute and Blue Prosperity Vanuatu," said Honorable Prime Minister Jotham Napat.

     To advance the development of the Roadmap, Waitt Institute President Mike Goldman and Chairman Ted Waitt traveled to Port Vila to progress the partnership with the Honorable Prime Minister and the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management Johnny Koanapo Rasou.

     "Vanuatu has enormous untapped potential to grow its ocean related economies in a sustainable way, and we are proud to support that process," said Waitt Institute President Mike Goldman.

     A Blue Economy Task Force is being established to help steer the Sustainable Blue Economy Roadmap. The Task Force will be chaired by the Director of the Department of Finance and will have representatives from the government departments that play roles in the Blue Economy. The Roadmap development process will engage government agencies, private sector businesses, communities, and ocean experts.

     The Roadmap reflects a unique economic model where ocean protection and prosperity go hand in hand, where healthy reefs, abundant fisheries, and protected seascapes sustain food security, livelihoods, and community resilience for generations to come.

     Vanuatu's recently passed Ocean Act provides the governance framework for this work. One of the central requirements of the Ocean Act is the development of a Marine Spatial Plan. The Marine Spatial Plan is a blueprint that determines how and where Vanuatu's entire ocean is used, protected, and managed, from where fishing occurs to where Marine Protected Areas are established and where new economic activities can grow.

     The Sustainable Blue Economy Roadmap is an integral part of the Marine Spatial Plan, identifying how healthy, protected ocean areas can support economic growth and innovation, generating revenue for the government and jobs for communities. The two are designed to work together: the Roadmap guides the economic vision, and the Marine Spatial Plan provides the framework for where and how that vision can be enacted.

     The Roadmap will complement the work already undertaken by Vanuatu’s marine sectors and Blue Prosperity Vanuatu. It will focus on building economic opportunities in and around Vanuatu's healthy, protected ocean areas, strengthening sectors such as aquaculture and tourism to support resilient and productive oceans. The Roadmap will be designed to ensure that the benefits of Vanuatu’s Blue Economy are realized by the National government and the communities across all six provinces.

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