Prime Minister Hon. James Marape will de- part today, Wednesday 29 July 2026, for Port Vila, Vanuatu, at the official invitation of Vanuatu Prime Minister Hon. Jotham Napat.
The Prime Minister will join invited leaders from across the Pacific, alongside the government and people of Vanuatu, to observe the nation’s 46th Independence anniversary on Thursday, 30 July 2026.
This State visit represents a vital reciprocal engagement following Prime Minister Napat’s visit to Port Moresby in September 2025, where he attended Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations.
The exchange highlights the enduring diplomatic ties, deep mutual respect, and strategic alignment maintained between the two prominent Melanesian nations.
Since Vanuatu’s transition to nationhood on 30 July 1980, the bilateral partnership has expanded systematically from historic security cooperation into robust institutional, legal, and economic frameworks. This deep relationship has yielded concrete, long-standing outcomes, including:
• The Kumul/Vanua Policing MoU: A formal security agreement facilitating active intelligence sharing and capacity-building between the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) and the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF).
• The Wantok Legal Network Program: A structured judicial exchange pro- gram optimizing personnel development and legal aid infrastructure within the respective Public Solicitors’ offices.
• Reciprocal Land Grants: The mutual allocation of prime State land in Port Moresby and Port Vila dedicated to the construction of permanent, national diplomatic missions.
• The Five-Year Bilateral Framework Master Plan: A strategic blueprint directing joint initiatives in agricultural development, double-taxation relief, climate-resilient disaster responses, and sustainable maritime resource management.
Prime Minister Marape noted that the foundational link between the two countries was forged during the critical geopolitical events of 1980. Under the leadership of PNG’s then-Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan, Papua New Guinea deployed the “Kumul Force” from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) to support the incoming government of Father Walter Lini. This successfully quelled the secessionist rebellion on Espiritu Santo and secured Vanuatu’s sovereign borders.
Reflecting on the geopolitical magnitude of that deployment, Prime Minister Marape highlighted the capability demonstrated by Papua New Guinea at the time.
“In 1980, Papua New Guinea was a very young nation – less than ten years old into our own independence,” Prime Minister Marape stated. “Yet, under the decisive leadership of Sir Julius Chan, our country took a monumental step by deploying our military overseas for the first time. It was a bold, unprecedented decision for a young democracy, but it resulted in a highly successful outcome that preserved the sovereignty of Vanuatu.
“That pivotal moment proved that Pacific nations could resolve their own regional security challenges, laying the true foundation for modern Melanesian solidarity,” he said.
To honor this milestone, Prime Minister Marape has invited New Ireland Governor Hon. Byron Chan – son of Sir Julius Chan – onto the official delegation accompanying him to Vanuatu.
“The inclusion of Governor Byron Chan underscores the historical continuity of our bilateral relationship,” the Prime Minister said. “It acknowledges the brave actions taken by our leadership in 1980, which remain a cornerstone of our regional cooperation.
“This history is visibly commemorated in Port Vila today, where the main thoroughfare, the Kumul Highway, stands as a permanent tribute to the assistance rendered by the PNGDF.”
PM Marape said as the two countries look ahead, PNG remains fully committed to working alongside Vanuatu and other Pacific Island countries to strengthen trade, institutional capacity, and collective regional resilience.”
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso will assume the responsibilities of Acting Prime Minister to oversee State affairs and government operations while the Prime Minister is in Vanuatu.