Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has begun a visit to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting, pledging deeper ties with Australia’s Pacific neighbours and stressing the importance of regional unity in an increasingly uncertain world.
Mr Albanese will hold talks with Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat and pay a courtesy call on President Nikenike Vurobaravu in Port Vila, before travelling with Pacific leaders to Honiara for the Forum meeting.
“It is crucial for Pacific Leaders to come together to pursue our shared vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” Mr Albanese said.
“Australia will continue to work together with all Forum members to back in Pacific-led solutions to the region’s challenges, and explore new ways to integrate our economies and people.”
Prime Minister Napat said he was honoured to host only the second-ever official visit by an Australian Prime Minister. “High level visits such as this demonstrate strong and genuine efforts by both governments to build sustainable, trustworthy and long-term relationship.”
“Over the 45 years or so Australia and Vanuatu have built a strong and enduring partnership founded on mutual respect, trust and a shared commitment to regional prosperity and security.”
Talks between the two leaders focused on disaster recovery, renewable energy, climate change adaptation, social development, and the proposed Nakamal Agreement — a treaty-level framework to formalise bilateral cooperation. However, Vanuatu has delayed signing, with Mr Napat noting that coalition partners needed more time to consider “specific wordings” relating to critical infrastructure and sovereignty.
Mr Albanese said he respected those processes, “There is agreement on the principles that have been agreed and initialled in the Nakamal Agreement.”
“I’m very confident that the agreement can be reached. This is in the interests of both of our nations and is a very positive agreement going forward.”
The Prime Minister described the relationship as a family bond. “Australia and Vanuatu are family with connections built over generations grounded in our close Melanesian, South Sea Islander and First Nation’s ties.”
“To be considered family is not only a deep privilege, it also carries with it a great responsibility. We will be with you in good times and in bad, because that’s what happens with families.”
More than 6,000 Ni-Vanuatu workers currently participate in Australia’s Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme, while thousands of Australians travel to Vanuatu each year. Mr Albanese said such people-to-people connections, alongside shared commitments on climate action, regional security and economic growth, would drive the partnership forward.
The two leaders will now join other Pacific heads of government in Honiara for the 54th PIF Leaders’ Meeting, where climate change, economic resilience, and peace and security top the agenda.
“In a changing and increasingly challenging world, Pacific unity is critical to achieving the future we want for our region.”
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