Minister of Agriculture, Ian Wilson, is currently serving as Acting Prime Minister while Prime Minister Jotham Napat leads a high-level delegation to France.

Prime Minister Napat departed the country on Sunday, July 20, to attend a high-level bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The talks aim to strengthen Vanuatu’s diplomatic ties with France, explore new cooperation opportunities, and address key issues of shared interest between the two nations.

Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo Rasou, who left the country earlier on Friday, is also part of the delegation and will join Prime Minister Napat in the discussions with President Macron.

In his role as Minister of Finance and Economic Management, Deputy Prime Minister Koanapo is also scheduled to hold a number of separate meetings while in France. One key engagement includes talks with Airbus executives in Toulouse.

Following the meeting with President Macron, the Vanuatu delegation is expected to meet with key financial institutions including BRED Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD). These meetings will focus on strengthening economic cooperation, identifying investment opportunities, and enhancing long-term partnerships.