The government has officially cancelled all diplomatic passports belonging to Vanuatu Trade Commissioners.

The decision was outlined in a letter issued this week by the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, Patrick Kouback.

According to the DG, the move follows concerns that several Trade Commissioners have not been performing their duties or submitting reports to the Director General and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The action also aligns with recent amendments to the Passport Act, which remove Trade Commissioners from the list of officials eligible to hold diplomatic passports.

This step comes after strong recommendations from the Parliamentary Accounts Committee, urging tighter control and accountability over the use of diplomatic passports.