Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Vanuatu Prime Minister Hon. Jotham Napat held high-level bilateral talks on Friday (31.07.26) on the margins of Vanuatu’s 46th Independence anniversary, establishing a roadmap for expanded economic cooperation and a historic healthcare alliance.
Joint Economic, Aviation, and Resource Discussions
To address Vanuatu’s structural barriers in inter-island aviation and local hotel ownership, Prime Minister Marape committed PNG capital and expertise.
PNG proposed a joint venture between its Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC)—utilizing subsidiaries PNG Air and Heavy Lift—and Vanuatu’s National Provident Fund to build sustainable local air transport.
PM Marape also recommended strategic upgrades for Vanuatu’s resource sectors:
* Fisheries: Pressuring international partners to invest in local downstream processing rather than raw extraction.
* Maritime Security: Signing “shiprider” agreements with defence partners to protect Vanuatu’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
* Livestock: Implementing aggressive processing protocols to secure regional cattle exports.
Historic Subsidized Cancer Treatment Alliance
The two nations discussed healthcare partnership integrating patient data net- works between their main referral hospitals. PNG will extend its state-of-the-art specialist facilities—specifically targeting cancer treatments—to Vanuatu citizens at subsidized local PNG domestic rates rather than expensive international fees.
Under a streamlined clinical pipeline, Vanuatu patients will undergo initial di- agnostic screenings locally. Their records will sync digitally with PNG specialists via secure ICT systems before patients are flown to Port Moresby for definitive treatment.
PM Marape emphasized this serves as a critical medical buffer for Vanuatu and Solomon Islands while they build their own domestic capacity.
Prime Minister Napat deeply thanked PNG, noting the initiative alleviates the crippling financial burdens of overseas medical care.
Diplomatic Solidarity and Congratulations
PM Marape commended Vanuatu’s global leadership on climate action and West Papua, reaffirming that PNG will stand beside Vanuatu on these global matters.
He extended his warm congratulations to the people of Vanuatu for a spectacular independence celebration and thanked PM Napat for the hospitality shown to the PNG delegation.