AGP Executive Report

Passport Claim: A Chinese national arrested in Sri Lanka reportedly said only a Vanuatu-issued passport found among several belonged to him; China has requested his deportation. Cyclone Preparedness: The Southwest Pacific could face seven to 11 cyclones, with at least four severe and the season possibly starting early. Vanuatu’s East Coral Sea outlook is normal to below average, but forecasters urge all communities to prepare. Climate Diplomacy: Pacific nations say the UN’s sea-level rise declaration lacks strong enough protections and climate action. Vanuatu has also called for a UN human rights chief to visit West Papua. Security Partnership: An Australian Senate inquiry heard the Nakamal Agreement will boost police cooperation, while its foreign military-base clause reflects existing Vanuatu law. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund has allocated more than US$25 million for Pacific conservation, including work to identify and protect important ocean habitats in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu-Australia Ties: Australia’s treaties committee heard the Nakamal Agreement could nearly double the eight Australian federal police officers serving in Vanuatu, with work planned on investigations, training and policing in remote islands. Health: An Indonesian hospital ship treated 656 patients and carried out 14 surgeries during two days in Vanuatu. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is allocating more than US$25 million to Pacific conservation, including projects to identify and protect important habitats in Vanuatu. Cyclone Outlook: Forecasters expect seven to 11 named cyclones across the southwest Pacific; Vanuatu’s area faces normal to reduced risk, but at least four severe cyclones could form anywhere in the region. Culture: Air Niugini is backing the first Wan Pasifika Festival in Port Vila.

Cyclone Readiness: Vanuatu faces a normal-to-reduced cyclone risk this season, but forecasters warn severe cyclones could strike anywhere in the Southwest Pacific and urge communities to prepare. Australia-Vanuatu Pact: An Australian parliamentary inquiry heard the Nakamal Agreement could nearly double Australian federal police numbers in Vanuatu. Officials said its restriction on foreign military bases reflects existing Vanuatu law. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is allocating more than US$25 million across five Pacific nations, including Vanuatu, to advance marine conservation and identify important ocean habitats. Health Services: Indonesia’s hospital ship treated 656 people and performed 14 surgeries during two days in Vanuatu earlier this month. West Papua: Indonesia rejected allegations of systemic rights abuses after Vanuatu and Solomon Islands leaders called at the UN for a visit by the UN human rights commissioner.

Nakamal Agreement: An Australian parliamentary inquiry heard the pact could nearly double the eight Australian Federal Police officers in Vanuatu, with work planned on investigations, training and policing in remote islands. Officials said its clause on foreign military bases reflects Vanuatu’s existing law, rather than creating a new barrier. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than US$25 million for conservation across five Pacific nations, including support to identify and protect important habitats in Vanuatu. Culture and Climate: Port Vila’s inaugural Wan Pasifika Festival brought Pacific artists together on 10 October, with music, cultural performances and a focus on climate action. Health Services: An Indonesian hospital ship treated 656 patients and performed 14 surgeries during its Vanuatu visit on 3–4 October. Regional Voice: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands leaders urged Indonesia at the UN to allow a human rights commissioner to assess West Papua; Indonesia rejected allegations of systemic abuses.

Australia–Vanuatu Pact: A parliamentary inquiry heard the Nakamal Agreement could nearly double the eight Australian Federal Police officers in Vanuatu. Officials said its foreign-base clause reflects existing Vanuatu law; the pact also covers development and economic ties. Regional Rescue: Vanuatu’s HELPR-1 helped bring 73 people ashore after a Solomon Islands ferry lost power and drifted for days. West Papua: Indonesia rejected allegations of systemic rights abuses after Vanuatu and Solomon Islands urged the UN to send a human rights commissioner to the territory. Health Services: An Indonesian hospital ship treated 656 patients and performed 14 operations during two days in Vanuatu. Climate and Fisheries: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and reduce rainfall in Vanuatu and other Pacific nations into 2027. Ocean Protection: More than US$25 million in regional marine conservation funding will support protected areas and ocean management, including in Vanuatu. Culture: Port Vila hosted the first Wan Pasifika Festival, bringing Pacific artists together around music, culture and climate awareness.

Maritime Rescue: Vanuatu’s HELPR-1 helped bring all 73 passengers and crew from the disabled Solomon Islands ferry MV Akwa safely ashore at Vanikoro, in a regional operation supported by France, Australia and China. Security Pact: Australia’s parliamentary committee is reviewing the Nakamal Agreement. Officials said its clause on foreign military bases reflects existing Vanuatu law, while the AFP presence in Vanuatu could nearly double from eight officers. Health: An Indonesian naval hospital ship treated 656 people and performed 14 surgeries during its two-day visit to Vanuatu. Climate and Fisheries: A strengthening El Niño could shift tuna grounds and fishing activity across the Pacific into 2027, with Vanuatu also among countries warned of reduced rainfall. Culture: Port Vila hosted the first Wan Pasifika Festival, bringing regional artists together around music, culture and climate awareness. Tax Status: The EU says Vanuatu has made progress on tax transparency but remains on its non-cooperative jurisdictions list over outstanding fair-taxation concerns.

Marine Protection: Vanuatu is among five Pacific nations set to benefit from more than US$25 million in Bezos Earth Fund grants for protected areas, habitat mapping and stronger ocean oversight. Culture: Vanuatu artisans joined Pacific craft practitioners in Nadi to explore a joint UNESCO heritage nomination for traditions including weaving, bark cloth, pottery and canoe-making. Skills and Arts: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition, while Port Vila’s Wan Pasifika Festival brought regional artists together around culture and climate awareness. Tax and Transparency: The EU says Vanuatu has made progress on tax transparency but remains on its non-cooperative list over outstanding fair-taxation concerns. Climate: Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat joined Pacific leaders urging stronger action to keep the 1.5°C warming limit within reach. Safety and Sport: A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu, and the national women’s team won the MSG Cup in tribute to victims of a sea tragedy.

Culture: Vanuatu artisans joined Pacific craft practitioners in Nadi to share traditions and push for a joint UNESCO nomination to safeguard living heritage. Climate: At Pre-COP31, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat joined Pacific leaders pressing for urgent climate action and delivery on the 1.5°C goal. Tax Status: The EU says Vanuatu has made progress on tax transparency, but it remains on the bloc’s blacklist over outstanding fair-taxation concerns. Skills and Arts: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition from October 19–22, while Port Vila’s Wan Pasifika Festival brought regional performers together around culture and climate awareness. Sport and Safety: Vanuatu’s women won the MSG Cup, and a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the country this week.

Skills and Culture: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host a Pacific, Asian and Timor-Leste skills competition from October 19 to 22, part of its push to join the WorldSkills network. Port Vila’s inaugural Wan Pasifika Festival on October 10 brings together regional artists for music, culture and climate awareness. Earthquake: A magnitude 6.3 quake struck Vanuatu, though the available report gives no details of damage or injuries. Tax Watch: The EU removed Panama and Vietnam from its tax blacklist but kept Vanuatu on the list, citing remaining concerns over fair taxation despite progress on transparency. Climate Action: Prime Minister Napat has urged Pacific nations to take a united climate message to COP31, with leaders pressing for stronger action and finance. Women’s Football: Vanuatu won the women’s MSG Cup, dedicating the title to victims of a sea tragedy.

Skills and Culture: Vanuatu Institute of Technology will host an international skills competition from October 19–22, with Pacific, Asian and Timor-Leste competitors. VIT hopes the event will help it join WorldSkills International. Port Vila hosts the inaugural Wan Pasifika Festival today, bringing regional artists together for music, culture and climate awareness. Air Vanuatu: The airline’s board directed the sale of its idle Islander aircraft, unused since 2023. An offer from a company owned by the board chairman’s father has raised questions; a published account says an earlier open tender drew no buyers. Climate Action: Pacific leaders are pressing for stronger climate finance and renewable energy. Australia’s latest Pacific package includes support for Vanuatu’s energy transition. Tax Transparency: The EU says Vanuatu has made progress but remains on its non-cooperative tax list over outstanding fair-taxation concerns. Recent Earthquake: A magnitude 6.3 quake struck northeast of Vanuatu; there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued. Sport: Vanuatu’s women won the Melanesian Spearhead Group Cup.

Earthquake: A magnitude 6.3 quake struck offshore northeast of Norsup. No casualties or damage were immediately reported, and no tsunami warning was issued. Culture: Port Vila hosts the inaugural Wan Pasifika Festival on October 10, celebrating Pacific music and culture while promoting climate action. Artists from Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are travelling with Air Niugini’s support. Climate: Australia’s new Pacific renewable-energy package includes support for Vanuatu’s energy transition, alongside funding to protect regional infrastructure. Financial Oversight: Vanuatu remains on the EU’s tax-haven blacklist. Separately, a report on a Vanuatu-licensed offshore bank says the central bank revoked its international licence, though the decision is under appeal. Sport: Vanuatu’s women claimed a historic MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title, dedicating their win to victims of a sea tragedy.

Earthquake: A magnitude 6.3 quake struck about 102km northeast of Norsup, Malampa, on Thursday. No tsunami warning, casualties or damage were reported. Climate Action: Prime Minister Jotham Napat is urging Pacific unity and stronger ambition ahead of COP31, while a new Australian renewable-energy package includes support for Vanuatu. Climate finance and Australia’s fossil-fuel exports remain points of tension. Women’s Football: Vanuatu’s women claimed a historic MSG Cup title, defeating Papua New Guinea in a win dedicated to victims of a sea tragedy. Coastal Protection: A four-year research project will map links between reefs, mangroves and seagrass, with work planned in Vanuatu to help guide conservation. Clean Water: UNICEF Aotearoa’s Pacific ‘Fits Day fundraiser will support water, sanitation and hygiene programmes for children in Vanuatu, Kiribati and Solomon Islands.

Earthquake: A shallow 6.3-magnitude quake struck about 102 kilometres northeast of Norsup. No tsunami warning, injuries or damage were immediately reported. Climate Action: Prime Minister Jotham Napat urged Pacific nations to unite behind an ambitious climate message ahead of COP31. A new Australian renewable-energy package includes support for Vanuatu’s transition to clean power. Sovereignty: Vanuatu has pushed back against a French lawmaker’s remarks, with officials rejecting the idea that the country is for sale or a French province. Sport: Vanuatu’s women claimed a historic MSG Cup title, dedicating the win to victims of a sea tragedy.

Climate Action: Prime Minister Jotham Napat called for a united Pacific position ahead of COP31, saying the region’s declaration must reflect the realities facing vulnerable island communities. Vanuatu’s climate minister said the low turnout of leaders from beyond the Pacific showed the region’s climate emergency was not receiving enough attention. Regional Ties: Napat and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale agreed to speed up work on their countries’ remaining maritime boundary, during an MSG meeting that also discussed West Papua and regional cooperation. Sovereignty: Vanuatu rejected a New Caledonian lawmaker’s letter proposing French control of southern islands, calling it neo-colonial and reaffirming the country’s independence. Sport: Vanuatu’s women claimed the MSG Cup title, a historic win dedicated to victims of a sea tragedy. Culture: Air Niugini is helping artists from Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands travel to Vanuatu for the inaugural Wan Pasifika Festival, which promotes culture and climate action. Constitution Day: President Nikenike Vurobaravu urged leaders and citizens to uphold democracy, the rule of law and national unity as Vanuatu marked 47 years since adopting its Constitution.

Climate Leadership: Prime Minister Jotham Napat has urged Pacific leaders to unite behind the Taku Pakasoa Declaration ahead of COP31, calling for an ambitious message that reflects the region’s daily experience of climate damage and keeps the 1.5°C limit in reach. New Caledonia: Pacific countries are pressing the UN to send a visiting mission to assess political uncertainty and hardship. Vanuatu, speaking for the Melanesian Spearhead Group, backed self-determination and raised concern for Kanak communities. Football: Vanuatu’s women won the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, beating Papua New Guinea on penalties and dedicating the title to victims of the MV Matui tragedy. The men’s side lost 1-0 to Fiji in the final. Sovereignty: The government has condemned a French MP’s letter proposing French administration of southern islands, calling it neo-colonial and stressing that Vanuatu is an independent nation, not the colonial-era New Hebrides. Constitution Day: President Nikenike Vurobaravu urged leaders and citizens to uphold democracy, the rule of law and national unity.

Climate Diplomacy in the Pacific: Tuvalu’s climate minister Maina Talia warned COP31 can’t be “another talk shop” as world leaders visit Funafuti to see sea-level impacts firsthand, with leaders also pressing for real follow-through on emissions and fossil-fuel phase-out. Regional Melanesian Cooperation: Vanuatu PM Matthew Wale joined Fiji, PNG and Solomon Islands at an MSG meeting in Nadi, where West Papua was discussed alongside plans to strengthen Melanesian unity and coordination. Vanuatu–France Sovereignty Row: Vanuatu hit back at a New Caledonian MP’s neo-colonial letter using “New Hebrides” and proposing French administration for southern islands, calling it an insult to sovereignty. Renewables Push for Vanuatu: Australia announced a $7.3m pre-COP31 program to boost Vanuatu’s renewable energy rollout and workforce, as Pacific leaders challenge Australia’s climate record. Women’s Football Glory: Vanuatu women won the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Suva, beating PNG on penalties after a 1-1 draw, in tribute to victims of the MV Matui tragedy. OFC Pro League Fixtures: The 2027 OFC Pro League kicks off Jan 22, with Vanuatu United FC facing Solomon Kings FC, and the finals set for Honiara in June.