A new 1.2 billion vatu investment project to strengthen agriculture, markets and nutrition was launched in Port Vila.
The Investment for Market and Nutrition Project (IMN), funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), will operate over the next six years across Penama, Malampa, and Tafea provinces.
At a signing ceremony held in the grounds of the Presidential Palace, the Government of Vanuatu and IFAD formalized their partnership to support the agriculture sector.
IFAD Country Director Candra Samekto said the project aligns with the Government’s goals to boost food security, nutrition, incomes, and community resilience.
“We recognize the challenges and will work with the people of Vanuatu,” he said.
Minister of Finance Hon. Johnny Koanapo described the project as vital for improving livelihoods, but stressed the importance of ensuring measurable outcomes.
“This is an important project targeting nutrition and farmers’ livelihoods. We must ensure that after spending 1.2 billion vatu over six years, we can see real impact,” he said.
Project Manager Amos Kalo added that the plan will address priority needs in agriculture, markets and nutrition, supporting farmers and small businesses through workshops and tailored programs each year.
The initiative carries high hopes of driving sustainable growth and resilience in Vanuatu’s agriculture sector.
The Intellectual Property Office has confirmed that no individual, community or organisation has registered the name “Nakamal” in Vanuatu.
The confirmation comes following concerns raised by the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs over the Government’s use of the name for the recently signed Nakamal Agreement between Vanuatu and Australia.
Compliance Officer at the Intellectual Property Office, Harry Abong, said the word “Nakamal” falls under the country’s legal protection for traditional knowledge and expressions of culture.
“In relation to the word ‘Nakamal’, it falls under what we call expressions of culture. Vanuatu has various laws that protect intellectual property, and we also have legislation that protects our expressions of culture and traditional knowledge. Nakamal falls within that category.”
Mr Abong said anyone who believes they have ownership or custodianship of the name can apply to register it through the Intellectual Property Office.
However, because the word is recognised as part of Vanuatu’s cultural heritage, the office would first seek advice from the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs before making any decision on an application.
“If someone applies to register the word ‘Nakamal’, the office will seek advice from the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs. Once we receive that advice and ownership is verified, the office can issue a certificate of registration authorising the rightful owner of the name.”
The issue gained renewed attention after Malvatumauri President Paul Ravun expressed concern over the Government’s use of the name “Nakamal” for its bilateral agreement with Australia.
Mr Ravun said the Council does not oppose the agreement itself but believes there should have been wider national consultation before using a culturally significant name.
“We are not disputing the agreement that the Government has signed. Our concern is the use of the name ‘Nakamal’. There should have been consultation involving the Government, Opposition leaders, chiefs, church leaders, women, youth and communities across the Republic of Vanuatu.”
Mr Ravun said he had previously raised the matter several months before the agreement was signed but had not received a response from the Government.
Despite the concerns, Prime Minister Jotham Napat and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese formally signed the Nakamal Agreement in Canberra this week.
In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said the name was chosen because the agreement reflects the values and spirit of the traditional nakamal.
Health officials say increasing drug use is contributing to a rise in mental health concerns in Vanuatu, while the Ministry of Health continues work on a Mental Health Act to strengthen national response systems.
Acting Director General Dr Santos Wari raised the issue during International Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Day activities in Port Vila.
He says mental health cases are increasing, particularly in urban areas, and more support is needed to improve care and treatment services.
Dr Wari says the Mental Health Act currently being prepared for Parliament is expected to improve how people with mental health conditions are managed and supported.
“There is a Mental Health Act going before Parliament, and it is expected to pass in November. This Act will help us take care of people who are out of their minds and ensure they are properly cared for in the right place. It will also help us train nurses and doctors to better support them. Effort is ongoing so far.”
He also highlighted concerns over drug use, saying different types of drugs—including soft, mild, and hard drugs—have varying effects on users.
“When you smoke too much bush weed, you start seeing things that are not there. You begin to hear voices that others cannot hear, and see things others cannot see.”
Dr Wari made the comments during awareness activities involving police and students in Saralana, where he warned that drug abuse can lead to harmful behaviour affecting families and communities.
Mental health remains a growing public health concern in Vanuatu, with calls for stronger awareness, improved services, and trained health professionals.
Australia will not have veto power over Vanuatu’s decisions on third-party involvement in critical infrastructure, under the newly signed Nakamal Agreement.
The agreement clarifies that while Australia will be consulted on any proposed foreign involvement in key infrastructure projects, it will not be able to block or override those decisions.
Under the deal, Australia will still provide around $500 million in support to Vanuatu, however the funding will now be delivered over a longer and unspecified timeframe, rather than the previously proposed 10-year plan.
The provision is part of the broader Nakamal Agreement signed in Canberra on Monday by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat, which strengthens cooperation across security, infrastructure, climate, and economic development.
Under the deal, Vanuatu retains sovereignty over infrastructure decisions while agreeing to consult Australia on potential third-party engagements in ports, telecommunications, aviation, digital and energy systems.
In times of disaster, Vanuatu has also agreed to first seek assistance from the FRANZ partnership, which includes France, Australia and New Zealand, before requesting support from other countries.
For policing support, Vanuatu will prioritise requests through Pacific Islands Forum members, reinforcing Australia’s role as its primary policing partner.
Prime Minister of Vanuatu seated in Canberra during official discussions with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Trades, during bilateral talks on the Nakamal Agreement and cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement also confirms that Vanuatu will not allow foreign military bases or militarised infrastructure on its territory, and will keep its critical infrastructure free from militarisation, foreign interference or unauthorised access.
On immigration and mobility arrangements, Vanuatu is expected to strengthen oversight of its citizenship-by-investment programme to ensure clearer separation from standard citizenship pathways, following concerns around so-called “golden passports.”
The agreement also comes amid broader regional competition, with China pursuing its own separate agreement with Vanuatu known as the Namele Agreement, the details of which have not yet been made public and are awaiting approval from Beijing.
The agreement also commits both countries to closer cooperation on policing, disaster response, climate resilience, renewable energy transition, and workforce development.
Australia remains Vanuatu’s primary policing and development partner and will continue to provide support in training, equipment, maritime security, cyber capability and infrastructure assistance.
The Nakamal Agreement will enter into force following domestic processes in both countries.
A new digital music platform has been launched to provide Ni-Vanuatu artists with a dedicated space to promote, distribute and protect their music.
The platform, called Vantune, has been developed by Island Empire Vanuatu and is designed exclusively for local artists and music listeners in Vanuatu.
Chairman of Island Empire Vanuatu, Christiano Tarilenga, said the app offers features that allow artists to better understand their audience while keeping their music protected.
“Vantune is different and unique in its own way. It allows many artists to upload their music and provides useful information, including where your audience is listening from, how many followers you have and who you are following. It is similar to Spotify, but it is a platform created specifically for Vanuatu and our local artists.”
Mr Tarilenga said the platform also addresses one of the biggest challenges facing musicians in Vanuatu—music piracy.
“In the past, an artist might sell one memory card containing their music, but after one person buys it, the songs are copied and shared with many others. The artist only receives payment once while many people listen for free. With this app, the music is protected because only people who pay can access and listen to it.”
Mr Tarilenga, who is also a local recording artist known by the stage name Falgon, said the creation of Vantune comes at a time when artificial intelligence-generated music is becoming more common.
He said Island Empire Vanuatu hopes the platform will encourage more local artists and young musicians to continue creating original music while preserving Vanuatu’s culture and stories for future generations.
Fiji does not control Vanuatu’s airspace but only manages aircraft flying through it because Vanuatu lacks the technical facilities to provide upper air traffic control services.
The clarification was made during a Parliamentary Public Hearing on the Economy and Foreign Policy after concerns were raised about Vanuatu’s airspace and the revenue generated from aircraft passing through it.
Flight Operations Manager for Civil Aviation Wilfred Makaba said there is often public misunderstanding about Fiji’s role.
“Fiji does not control Vanuatu’s airspace. Fiji only controls aircraft passing through our airspace. We often see comments on social media claiming someone else controls our airspace, but that is not true. The airspace belongs to Vanuatu. Because we do not yet have the facilities to safely provide air traffic control services at that level, Fiji communicates with aircraft on our behalf while they are passing through.”
The hearing also heard that Vanuatu currently receives around VT30 million annually through a revenue-sharing arrangement with Airports Fiji Limited for providing air traffic management services.
Minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities Xavier Harry said Vanuatu, together with Kiribati and Tuvalu, each receive a 2.5 per cent share under an agreement negotiated about a decade ago.
He said the Government is now discussing whether the current arrangement should be reviewed.
“The 2.5 per cent was negotiated several years ago, probably around 10 years ago, and that value remains today. Since taking office, we have been working with the Civil Aviation Authority and Air Vanuatu Limited to review whether this percentage reflects the value of our airspace. If Vanuatu can generate enough revenue in the future, it could also justify investing in the equipment needed to manage our own upper airspace.”
Air Navigation Service Manager Pelensy Lulu confirmed that Airports Fiji Limited returns the agreed share of air traffic management revenue to the Vanuatu Government.
“There is a 2.5 per cent remittance that Airports Fiji returns to the Government of Vanuatu for air traffic management services. A committee within the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities is also reviewing the arrangement and the revenue figures.”
Government officials say discussions with Fiji are continuing as Vanuatu explores increasing its share of airspace revenue while assessing future investment that could eventually allow the country to independently manage its upper airspace.
Port Vila City Council has received a new VT5 million vehicle from Foshan City in China to strengthen traffic management and enforcement of municipal by-laws across the capital.
The vehicle has been donated to the Council’s Law Enforcement Unit following a request by Lady Mayor Jenny Regenvanu and is expected to improve the response of municipal wardens to traffic control, illegal parking and public space enforcement.
The donation was made under the sister-city agreement signed between Port Vila and Foshan City in June 2017.
Chief Executive Officer for Port Vila City Council, Leslie Willie, said the vehicle was provided following a request to strengthen the Council’s compliance work.
“This ceremony is part of the partnership between Foshan City in China and Port Vila under the agreement signed in June 2017. The Agathis Sports Complex was one project delivered through that partnership, and this vehicle is the second request made by the Lady Mayor last year.”
Mr Willie said the Council requested the vehicle to improve the effectiveness of its Law Enforcement Unit.
“The vehicle will help our wardens carry out their duties more effectively and efficiently while ensuring residents comply with municipal regulations.”
The Council said the new vehicle will improve the mobility of municipal wardens as Port Vila continues to grow and demand for enforcement services increases.
Lady Mayor Jenny Regenvanu thanked the leadership and people of Foshan City for responding to the Council’s request and for their continued support of Port Vila.
Chinese Ambassador to Vanuatu Li Minggang said the partnership between the two cities reflects the strong relationship between China and Vanuatu.
“Our commitment is there. We don’t just talk the talk—we walk the walk.”
The Council said the vehicle will make a significant difference to the daily operations of its Law Enforcement Unit and further strengthen public safety and order throughout the municipality.
The President of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Chief Paul Robert Ravun, has raised concerns over the use of the name “Nakamal” in the agreement signed today between Vanuatu and Australia in Canberra.
Chief Ravun says the term “nakamal” carries deep cultural and traditional significance in Vanuatu and should not have been used without proper and wider consultation with chiefs across the country.
He says the decision to use the name should have involved not only government leaders, but also the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs and other key stakeholders.
“It must be consulted at the highest level, including members of the government executive, the Leader of the Opposition, chiefs, church leaders, women leaders, youth and children.”
The President of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Chief Paul Robert Ravun, has raised concerns over the use of the name “Nakamal” in the agreement signed today between Vanuatu and Australia in Canberra. He says chiefs across Vanuatu were not properly consulted on the meaning and use of the term, which holds strong cultural significance and should have involved wider national consultation.
This marks the second time for the Malvatumauri president to raise this concern. This concern was first raised after the initial signing of the agreement in Tanna last year.
Chief Ravun stressed that custom systems in Vanuatu are inclusive and national symbols or culturally significant terms should reflect collective agreement.
While the Nakamal Agreement was officially signed today in Canberra by the Prime Ministers of Vanuatu and Australia, he says the use of the word “nakamal” was not properly discussed with chiefs.
His comments come as the government continues to highlight the agreement as a major milestone in strengthening relations with Australia.
The government has not yet responded to the concerns raised by the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs.
Australia and Vanuatu have signed a new security and development treaty in Canberra, formally known as the Nakamal Agreement, which cements Australia’s role as Vanuatu’s primary policing partner and deepens cooperation across security, climate, economic development and infrastructure.
The agreement was signed today, 29 June 2026 by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat during his first official visit to Australia as Prime Minister. It follows months of negotiations and was described by both leaders as a milestone in the bilateral relationship.
Under the agreement, Australia will provide enhanced support to the Vanuatu Police Force, including training, equipment, maritime security, intelligence cooperation, cyber support and infrastructure assistance. It also strengthens coordination on humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and development support.
A key provision ensures that Vanuatu will not allow any foreign military base or militarised infrastructure on its territory, while its critical infrastructure must remain free from militarisation, foreign interference or unauthorised access. Vanuatu will also consult Australia on third-party involvement in critical infrastructure projects.
Prime Minister Albanese said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to regional stability and sovereignty.
“This agreement advances a consensus that security is the shared responsibility of the Pacific family,” he said. “It encapsulates Vanuatu’s sovereign decision not to permit its territory to be used for any foreign military base or infrastructure.”
Prime Minister Napat said the agreement marked a new chapter in relations between the two countries.
“Today marks a significant step in the Vanuatu-Australia relationship,” he said. “Australia and Vanuatu are close neighbours, trusted partners and enduring friends.”
According to a press statement from the Prime Ministers Office, “Vanuatu took time to ensure proper domestic consultation before signing. The process included extensive consultations and engagement since early 2025 with technical officials from both governments at various ministerial levels, and with coalition party leadership, resulting in the initialling of the original agreement atop Mt Yasur on Tanna in August last year.
“Following these, further negotiations ensued until the Agreement received formal endorsement by the Council of Ministers in May 2026. Just prior to traveling to Canberra, the Prime Minister convened a final meeting with coalition party presidents to ensure the leadership of Government was fully engaged and that the Agreement carried the support of the nation’s political leadership.”
“The beauty of the Nakamal Agreement is that it is built to last and built to work,” Prime Minister Napat said.
“It has clear clauses for implementation through a Joint Committee, to ensure we are delivering in the true spirit of the nakamal – sitting together, talking together, and deciding together for the good of our peoples.”
Contrary to some views, the Prime Ministers Office stated that the “Nakamal Agreement is not a treaty per se in the Vanuatu context. It is a strategic cooperation framework that sets political direction and commits both governments to work together across agreed priority areas, while allowing flexibility to adapt as our needs evolve”.
What is inside the Nakamal Agreement
The Nakamal Agreement sets out a broad framework for cooperation between Australia and Vanuatu across security, development, climate action and regional stability.
Key areas include:
Security and policing cooperation Strengthening Australia’s role as Vanuatu’s primary policing partner, including training, equipment, maritime security, intelligence sharing and cyber support.
Sovereignty and critical infrastructure protections Vanuatu commits to not allowing any foreign military base or militarised infrastructure, and to keeping critical infrastructure free from foreign interference. Vanuatu will also consult Australia on third-party investment in key infrastructure.
Climate change and renewable energy Joint efforts to transition to renewable energy, improve resilience, and advocate for stronger regional and global climate action.
Economic development and workforce support Australian support for traineeships, skills development, digital economy growth, and budget support to assist Vanuatu’s economic transformation.
Humanitarian and disaster response Australia will continue to support Vanuatu during natural disasters, with agreed coordination through regional mechanisms.
Enhanced mobility arrangements Improved travel and mobility pathways between Australia and Vanuatu, along with annual reviews of arrangements.
Cultural and historical connections Recognition of shared Melanesian, First Nations and South Sea Islander ties, including acknowledgment of historical links and community connections.
Joint oversight mechanism (“Nakamal Committee”) A formal committee will meet regularly to monitor implementation, resolve issues, and ensure decisions are made by consensus.
The agreement also expands cooperation into climate change, renewable energy transition, economic transformation and labour mobility, including the development of Australian-supported traineeship programs for Vanuatu nationals and digital economy support.
It recognises historical and cultural ties between Australia and Vanuatu, including First Nations, Melanesian and South Sea Islander communities, and references the traditional concept of the “nakamal” as a place of dialogue, trust and decision-making.
The treaty formalises Australia’s longstanding support in disaster response, while also strengthening commitments on regional security coordination through Pacific Islands Forum mechanisms.
The Nakamal Agreement will enter into force once domestic processes in both countries are completed.
Prime Minister Jotham Napat is currently in Australia leading a delegation for high-level talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as both governments move to finalise the updated agreement following its approval by Vanuatu’s Council of Ministers.
The official meeting scheduled for midday today follows a series of earlier negotiations between the two countries last year, reflecting continued efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation through the revised framework.
The meeting is expected to formalise the agreement and reinforce ongoing diplomatic and development ties between Port Vila and Canberra.
Schools across Vanuatu are facing ongoing challenges repairing and maintaining classrooms, with education officials saying the current annual maintenance budget of VT10 million from donor-supported projects is insufficient to meet demand, particularly after natural disasters.
The issue was raised during the Shefa School Principals Forum, where school leaders and education officials discussed the growing need for investment in school infrastructure.
Principal Education Officer for Facilities at the Ministry of Education, Samson Sawan, said the ministry’s maintenance funding comes entirely from donor-supported projects, with no dedicated government allocation for school infrastructure.
“We have at least VT10 million each year to operate with, and that funding comes through donor-funded projects. The national government does not currently allocate funding for infrastructure and land within the Ministry of Education.”
The shortage of funding has left many schools struggling to repair or replace damaged facilities.
At Saint Jeanne d’Arc School, VBTC News was informed that the Catholic Church does not currently have funding to construct new classrooms. Although the Australian Government provided approximately VT35 million to rebuild classrooms damaged by Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin in 2023, no reconstruction work has started.
Teacher Jenny Malesi said students are still learning under temporary shelters, affecting both attendance and academic performance.
“Learning has slowed down, and when we give students tests, it takes much longer for them to complete and return their work.”
At Tanoliu Primary School, Acting Principal Morris Esron said parents and the school community are organising fundraising activities to improve facilities.
The school plans to renovate existing classrooms, build a new classroom to ease overcrowding and replace its security fence, which collapsed during the December 2024 earthquake.
Sawan said all new school buildings should follow Ministry of Education designs and national building standards to improve safety and resilience against future disasters.
