The Executive of the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu held its first-ever Executive Meeting in Santo and the Laurua Presbytery, in what church leaders describe as a major achievement for the region.

The historic meeting is taking place at the Kalomoana Presbyterian Church in Maringo, bringing together senior church leaders for the first time in the two Presbyteries.

Chairman of the host venue and Kalomoana Session Elder, Graham Lele, says the community is proud to host such an important gathering.

Mr Lele says previous Executive Meetings were usually held in Port Vila and surrounding areas on Efate, but the church’s 2026 decision to move the meeting to Santo aligns with the wider national decentralisation approach.

He says the decision mirrors government efforts to take major activities and services out to the islands instead of concentrating them only in Port Vila and Efate.

The meeting also marks the first official visit to Santo by the new PCV Moderator, Pastor Kalmara Firiam, since he took over the leadership role during last year’s Assembly.

Church leaders say it is an honour for Santo to welcome the Moderator, together with the Clerk and Executive members, to conduct the meeting in the province.

Clerk of Santo Presbytery, Pastor Jonas Mape, says the main purpose of the Executive Meeting is to prepare for the PCV General Assembly scheduled for July this year.

He says discussions during the meeting will focus on key decisions and recommendations that will later be tabled at the General Assembly.

The PCV Executive Meeting began yesterday and will continue through to Thursday this week, alongside other church programs planned in the coming weeks.