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.
The Government will need to significantly increase its road maintenance budget if it wants to properly maintain Vanuatu’s road network, according to the Public Works Department.
Officials say maintaining more than 3,000 kilometres of roads across the country requires an estimated VT3.2 billion each year, far above the VT500 million currently allocated annually for road maintenance.
The funding gap was highlighted during a public hearing by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic and Foreign Policy.
Public Works Department Project Manager Junior George said the current maintenance budget is insufficient to meet the growing demands of the country’s road infrastructure.
The Government says greater investment in road maintenance will be needed to protect Vanuatu’s expanding road network and ensure roads remain safe and accessible. While road infrastructure remains a key priority in this year’s national budget, maintaining more than 3,000 kilometres of roads will require a significant increase in maintenance funding to preserve existing assets and support long-term development. 📷 Jamie Brown reports.
Road infrastructure remains one of the Government’s key priorities in this year’s national budget, with investment aimed at improving connectivity and supporting economic development.
The condition of Government-managed roads continues to be a major concern raised by communities across the country, with many calling for increased investment to improve accessibility and ensure roads remain safe and reliable.
Prime Minister Jotham Napat has departed Vanuatu today for Australia, where he is expected to sign the proposed Nakamal Agreement on 29 June.
Public Relations Officer of the Prime Minister office, Kierry Manassah, confirmed to VBTC News that the Prime Minister is travelling with two Cabinet Ministers to formalise the agreement.
Mr Manassah says the Prime Minister is expected to return to Port Vila next Tuesday and will brief the media on the outcome of the visit.
Prime Minister Jotham Napat has departed Vanuatu today for Australia, where he is expected to sign the proposed Nakamal Agreement on 29 June. Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, Kierry Manassah, confirmed to VBTC News that the Prime Minister is travelling with two Cabinet Ministers to formalise the agreement. Mr Manassah says the Prime Minister is expected to return to Port Vila next Tuesday and will brief the media on the outcome of the visit. The visit comes as Australia signals it is open to a broader Pacific-wide security agreement, following a proposal by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale during talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. According to AAP, Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy says Australia will continue to be guided by the priorities of Pacific nations and is prepared to pursue a regional security pact if Pacific leaders support the idea. The discussions come amid growing strategic competition in the Pacific. China has also proposed its own security arrangement with Vanuatu through the Namele Agreement, while the Solomon Islands continues to review its existing security pact with China.
The visit comes as Australia signals it is open to a broader Pacific-wide security agreement, following a proposal by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale during talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
According to AAP, Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy says Australia will continue to be guided by the priorities of Pacific nations and is prepared to pursue a regional security pact if Pacific leaders support the idea.
The discussions come amid growing strategic competition in the Pacific.
China has also proposed its own security arrangement with Vanuatu through the Namele Agreement, while the Solomon Islands continues to review its existing security pact with China.
Representatives from 14 Pacific Island countries will gather in Port Vila from 1 to 3 July for the Pacific Innovation Forum on Climate Change and Environment.
The forum, hosted by the Vanuatu Government, V-Lab and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), will bring together climate experts, government officials and stakeholders to discuss solutions to climate change and environmental challenges facing the Pacific.
Organisers say the event will focus on climate resilience, environmental protection and renewable energy, while showcasing innovative approaches already being used across the region.
Chairman of the forum task force, Nelson Kalo, said Pacific countries face many of the same climate and environmental threats and can learn from each other’s experiences.
Across the Pacific, there are innovative solutions already being implemented. This forum will provide an opportunity to showcase those solutions through panel discussions, site visits and presentations, allowing governments and communities to learn from each other and apply successful approaches to their own climate and environmental challenges.”
Kalo said the forum will focus on three main themes: building climate resilience, strengthening environmental management, and promoting renewable energy and a just transition.
“The first focus area is building resilience and adapting to the impacts of climate change across different sectors. We will also look at environmental protection and management, and finally at renewable energy and a just transition. Many Pacific countries face similar challenges, so solutions that work in one country can often be adapted and applied in another.”
The theme of this year’s forum is Champions of Innovation for a Sustainable and Resilient Future, reflecting the role of Pacific governments, organisations and communities in addressing climate and environmental challenges.
One of China’s major energy companies, China Datang Corporation, supplies a large share of electricity and heating services in Beijing and northern regions, supporting millions of people through its integrated energy network.
The company operates across 31 provinces and regions in China, with a total installed power capacity of more than 214 million kilowatts by the end of 2025. It has also remained on the Fortune Global 500 list for 16 consecutive years.
During a recent media visit by CIPCC journalists, participants observed the company’s central control systems, which monitor power stations across the country using advanced digital and smart technologies to ensure stable and reliable energy supply.
A key focus of the company’s operations is renewable energy development, including large-scale wind, solar and energy storage projects aimed at supporting China’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
China Datang Corporation said these investments are part of broader national efforts to reduce carbon emissions and strengthen green growth.
The visit highlighted how energy innovation, digital technology and sustainable development are working together to support one of the world’s largest economies.
