On the evening of Friday, 31 July 2026—just one day following the 46th anniversary of Vanuatu’s Independence—Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Vanuatu jointly broke ground for the construction of a new PNG Chancery in Port Vila.
This landmark event represents a deeply symbolic milestone in the shared history and bilateral relationship of the two Melanesian nations.
Between 29 July 1980 and 7 August 1980, under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan, PNG deployed the “Kumul Force”—a military contingent of roughly 500 Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) personnel—to Vanuatu. Their mission was to quell a secessionist political uprising led by rebel leader Jimmy Stevens, which threatened the incoming independence efforts spearheaded by Vanuatu’s founding father, Father Walter Lini. The Kumul Force successfully restored peace and order, even participating in Vanuatu’s Independence Day celebrations to stabilise the transition, therefore, securing the path for Vanuatu’s birth as a sovereign nation on 30 July 1980.
Now, 46 years after that pivotal intervention, PNG will finally establish a permanent mission office in Port Vila – with land donated by Vanuatu for the building
The breakthrough comes after several years of persistent diplomatic efforts by PNG Prime Minister Hon. James Marape.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place immediately following high-level bilateral talks between Prime Minister Marape and Vanuatu Prime Minister Hon. Jotham Napat on Friday afternoon. Opening the ceremony, Prime Minister Napat emphasized that the occasion is a physical manifestation of regional brotherhood.
“This moment truly reflects the enduring spirit of Melanesia and the deep history that weave our two countries together,” Prime Minister Napat stated. “Until today, Vanuatu has never given anything tangible to express its gratitude, offering only our words of thanks. This donated land is a small symbol compared to the immense gratitude the people of Vanuatu hold in our hearts for the life- saving help PNG provided to secure our independence.”
To cement Vanuatu’s commitment to the project, Prime Minister Napat announced a formal pledge of 100,000,000 Vatu (VT 100M) from the government to directly support the construction of the complex, adding, “It is a modest contribution when measured against what PNG sacrificed for Vanuatu in our hour of need.”
In response, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape expressed gratitude on behalf of his government and the people of Papua New Guinea.
“We are honoured that right after your 46th Independence anniversary celebrations, you have gifted us this prime land, and more importantly, your heart in this gesture,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“Your Cabinet has made a definitive decision to grant us this premier space, and I assure you we will not let your efforts down. Vanuatu stands right at the strategic heart of Melanesia and the wider Pacific—reaching out to the west, north, south, and east. Through this mission, we will ensure we remain tightly knit as a family.”
PM Marape also lauded Vanuatu’s exceptional global leadership on the inter- national stage, particularly its pioneering work in climate action, adding that in the areas where Vanuatu leads, PNG will continue to support.
Looking toward the future, Prime Minister Marape revealed a strategic four- year development target aligning with Vanuatu’s upcoming 50th Golden Jubilee Independence anniversary in 2030.
He said PNG would utilize the new chancery as a foundational base to execute several collaborative infrastructure and policy initiatives. Chief among these is a complete upgrade of Port Vila’s Kumul Highway – Vanuatu’s main thorough- fare named in tribute to the Kumul Force.
“We will stand with you, contributing policy support toward political stability and assist your economic growth across vital sectors like fisheries, agriculture, and tourism,” Prime Minister Marape added.
“There is a good synergy between our two administrations, and I am happy that we will finally have our own dedicated base here. We will fully reciprocate this generosity by gifting Vanuatu land in Port Moresby and providing direct assistance to build your own chancery in our capital.
“Furthermore, I will be dispatching our Minister for Works to meet with your infrastructure team in the coming months. The PNG Government is committed to supporting you this year, next year, and the years to follow, ensuring the Kumul Highway receives a world-class facelift in preparation for your historicv 50th anniversary in 2030.”
The groundbreaking marks a new chapter of heightened economic, political, and cultural cooperation between PNG and Vanuatu, paving the way toward a highly integrated and prosperous Melanesian vanguard.