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.