Port Vila, Vanuatu – The Vanuatu Law Reform Commission (VLRC) is proud to announce the official commencement of a groundbreaking Twinning and Placement Exercise, welcoming the first delegation from the Solomon Islands Law Reform Commission (SILRC) to Port Vila. The four-week placement, beginning last week, is a significant milestone in regional cooperation following the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two commissions.

This strategic partnership stems from the inaugural MOU signed between the Ministries of Justice of both nations in October 2024, during a formal ceremony at the Chiefs Nakamal in Port Vila. The signing was attended by the Honourable Clezy Rore, MP and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs of the Solomon Islands, and his delegation.

The visiting SILRC team, led by Chairman Mr. Philip Kanairara, includes three officers—Corina Ruvy Peni, Solomon Harunari, and Charles Olovikabo—who will be embedded with the VLRC until mid-May. Their placement will involve hands-on collaboration across key areas of law reform, including legal research, stakeholder engagement, report writing, strategic planning, and project management.

In his welcoming address, VLRC Secretary Mr. Lawson Samuel emphasized the importance of this inaugural exchange, calling it “the beginning of a shared journey into the future.” He acknowledged the challenges faced by the SILRC team in preparing for and traveling to Vanuatu, noting that such experiences only strengthen the value of mutual learning and cooperation.

“Law reform is not a static discipline,” Samuel remarked. “It requires adaptability, innovation, and cultural understanding to address today’s evolving societal challenges. This exchange offers us a unique opportunity to grow together, guided by our shared histories, languages, and regional goals.”

Chairman Kanairara echoed this sentiment, describing the exchange as a valuable platform for knowledge-sharing and cross-cultural collaboration. “This partnership gives us a chance with shared cultural and linguistic ties—Bislama and Pijin—the two commissions are well-positioned to work together closely in strengthening legal systems that reflect and respond to the realities of their communities.

This landmark Twinning and Placement Exercise represents a promising new chapter in Pacific law reform, reinforcing the power of regional solidarity and the value of professional exchange.