Vanuatu might just be a dot on the map but when it comes to climate change, the country has been taking significant strides in addressing the global phenomenon. Since coming into power, the government has launched several initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable development.

Renewable Energy Projects

Already it has initiated various renewable energy projects, including the Vanuatu Green Energy Transformation (VGET) project, which aims to provide clean energy to rural communities. The project has already installed pico hydro stations in Pentecost Island, generating 65kW of clean electricity and benefiting over 3,700 people.

Climate Change Policy

Vanuatu has also launched its National Loss and Damage Policy, making it one of only four countries globally to adopt a standalone national policy framework addressing climate change impacts. The policy includes a 5-year implementation framework costed at over 11.7 billion Vatu and establishes a Loss and Damage Working Group.

International Cooperation

Vanuatu is working closely with international partners, including the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to access climate finance and implement its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Key Achievements

·         Vanuatu submitted its Enhanced NDC 3.0 to the UNFCCC, showcasing its commitment to climate action.

·         The country has established a National Accredited Entity, allowing it to work directly with the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

·         Vanuatu has launched several community-based climate resilience projects, including the Vanuatu Community-based Climate Resilience Project (VCCRP)

·         Renewable Energy Initiatives

100% Renewable Energy Target

Vanuatu aims to achieve 100% renewable energy in the electricity sector by 2030.

Sarakata Hydropower Expansion: The Sarakata hydropower expansion project in Santo will increase capacity from 1.2MW to 2.2MW, aiming for almost 100% renewable energy for Santo by 2027.

Solar PV and Battery Storage: Projects in Port Vila and Tanna include a 6.5MW battery with 1MW solar PV and a 1MW solar with 2.5MW battery storage ¹.

Climate Finance and Projects

Green Climate Fund Approval: Vanuatu's Ministry of Finance and Economic Management has been approved as a National Accredited Entity by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board.

Vanuatu Community-based Climate Resilience Project (VCCRP): A USD$32.7 million project to improve climate resilience in 282 villages across six provinces.

Climate Finance Readiness Writeshop: Vanuatu hosted a writeshop to build skills for unlocking climate finance and advancing adaptation solutions.

Sustainable Development

National Electrification Master Plan (NEMP): A plan to guide future regulations and management models for rural electrification.

Electric Vehicles (EVs): Vanuatu is exploring clean transport solutions, including EVs and solar-powered charging stations.

These initiatives demonstrate Vanuatu's commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development.

For more details, the public can access more updates of the progress made this year here.

At its 29th Ordinary Meeting, the Council of Ministers (COM) approved several key recommendations from a Working Group leading a major review of previous COM decisions regarding the country's second submarine cable and other digital infrastructure projects, including the establishment of new data centres and the upgrading of the government broadband network.

 The long-awaited Tamtam submarine cable, linking Lifou in New Caledonia to Vanuatu, will significantly boost high-speed broadband internet connectivity to Santo, Malekula, Efate, and Tanna. This will provide reliable redundancy and backup, making the network more resilient and enhancing domestic connectivity.

 COM has directed the Ministry of the Prime Minister through the Department of Communication and Digital Transformation (DCDT) to ensure that the Tamtam cable is “owned, managed and operated under a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement”.

 The COM also instructed that the design for the operation and maintenance of the Tamtam Cable be formulated through a transparent process in accordance with the relevant national legislative and regulatory framework.

 A ground-breaking ceremony is planned shortly to mark the start of the cable-laying process.

 The new submarine cable, which will be fully owned and serviced entirely in-country, is greatly anticipated to change the dynamics of the country's communication and digital landscape. The cable laying work is being funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the French Government, including equity share contributions from Prima Ltd, the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) and the Vanuatu Post.

 The Working Committee that conducted the review is chaired by Efate Rural MP and ICT Specialist, Hon. Fred Lui Samuel, recently appointed as ICT Special Envoy for the Government of Vanuatu. The committee comprises key personnel from the National Security Council, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Prime Minister's Office. 

 In addition, COM also gave several other key undertakings relating to the communication and digital space, aimed at significantly assisting the Government to protect its data better in future, in light of the 2022 experience with the cyberattack that affected the entire Government machinery.

 The COM decision makes it clear that the Data Centres and the Cloud Pilot Project remain the property of the State of Vanuatu.

 The following were the other key decisions of the COM of November 26th, 2025

·         Instructed the Department of Communication and Digital Transformation to complete the implementation of the Vanuatu Government Data Centre project, a project being carried out with support from the Australian Government.

·         Instructed the DCDT to collaborate with the Government of Australia on the implementation of the Government's Cloud Project, ensuring Vanuatu's sovereign data and information are always secure.

·       Regarding the Government Broadband Network Project, COM instructed that the department responsible for national communication, DCDT, be supported to carry out broadband network projects with financing from the EU.

·        COM also instructed that the Working Group become a Sub-Committee within the National Digital Transformation Steering Committee, established under the new Digital Transformation Act of 2025.

Port VILA, 5^th 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.