Preceding the Council of Ministers, the Vanuatu Security Council is convening today – also in Lenakel.

Prime Minister Jotham Napat says the Council of Ministers will consider a new development agreement between Vanuatu and Australia, known as the “Nakamal Agreement,” before signing in September.

On Wednesday, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Myles, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Pat Conroy will be on Tanna for bilateral discussions with the Government.

The agreement covers a wide range of bilateral issues including infrastructure planning, economic development, and climate resilience initiatives in light of the devastating December 17th earthquake of 2024.

Senator Benny Wong in her earlier visit this year announced Australia’s $6 million commitment towards engineering support and rebuilding more than 45 schools and 100 classrooms damaged by the disaster.

“We are hopeful to sign the Nakamal Agreement in September, and I am inviting the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, to visit Vanuatu for us to jointly sign the agreement.”

It is important to note that a security agreement signed in late 2022 between Australia and the former Government of then Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau was never approved by COM, let alone parliament.

The partnership between Vanuatu and Australia remains strong, especially as Vanuatu continues its recovery efforts.

Below are two photos of the Security Council meeting held this morning in Tanna.
Photo credit: PMO

The Council of Ministers (COM) is meeting for the first time tomorrow, 12 August 2025, in Lenakel, Tanna.