EU reaffirms enduring partnership with Vanuatu on the country's 46th anniversary of independence

31/7/26 - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, H.E. Barbara Plinkert, concluded a five-day official visit to the Republic of Vanuatu on the occasion of the country's 46^th anniversary of independence. The visit reinforced the EU-Vanuatu partnership while exploring new avenues for development cooperation and investment. It was Ambassador's fourth official visit to Vanuatu since she took up her post in September 2023.

From 27 to 31 July, Ambassador Plinkert paid courtesy calls on the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management, Hon. Johnny Koanapo Rasou, and on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, Hon. Marc Ati. Ambassador also met the ministries with which the EU maintains active sectoral cooperation: the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Hon. Xavier Emanuel Harry, the Minister of Fisheries, Ocean and Maritime Affairs, Hon. Jack Norris Kalmet, and the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity, Mr. Timothy Tumukon.

The discussions highlighted the EU's continued support for Vanuatu's national priorities in agriculture, infrastructure, climate resilience, governance and economic development. The meetings also explored opportunities to broaden cooperation beyond these sectors, with healthcare, fisheries and maritime connectivity as promising areas for future engagement. Ambassador further reiterated the EU's support for Vanuatu's accession to the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) between the EU and the Pacific States.

"This is a dynamic and strong partnership. We stand ready to develop our cooperation further in priority sectors for Vanuatu, moving the EU's role in the Pacific from a traditional development partner into a long-term strategic investor", said Ambassador Plinkert to the local media.

During field visits, Ambassador visited the Vanuatu Geohazards Department to see first-hand how EU support is strengthening seismic monitoring, early warning systems and disaster preparedness nationwide. This assistance is delivered under the Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific Programme (BSRP II), funded by the EU with €0.5 million (VUV 71 million).

Beyond BSRP II, the EU is investing in climate-resilient infrastructure: contributing €10 million (VUV 1.36 billion) to the Climate Resilient Sheltering Schools (CRSS) programme in Vanuatu, launched in response to Cyclone Lola in 2023. CRSS will serve as a model for the region, and the EU is now extending the approach through a new Pacific-wide programme, Climate Resilient Education Systems (CRES), funded with €16 million (VUV 2.18 billion).

Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific

Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific

Under the EU Pacific Partnership, funded with €3.3 million (VUV 455 million), a dedicated component advances women's leadership and participation. In this framework, Ambassador took part in the Pacific Women's Dialogue on strengthening ni-Vanuatu women's leadership and resilience at the intersection of climate change and gender-based violence (GBV) - an initiative led by ActionAid Vanuatu with EU co-funding, in partnership with the Women I Tok Tok Tugeta (WITTT) network. At Port Vila Market, Ambassador met women vendors to discuss the safe reconstruction of the market and its surrounding public spaces in pursuit of preventing and reducing GBV. The discussion built on an earlier EU-convened focus group with vendors.

On 30 July, Ambassador joined the official Independence Day celebrations, meeting national dignitaries, government representatives and members of the diplomatic corps.

The EU remains a trusted and reliable partner to Vanuatu - one committed to a relationship grounded in shared values, mutual respect and sustained investment in the country's resilience and prosperity.