Port Vila, Vanuatu – 23 August 2025 – After four weeks of hands-on collaboration in Honiara, two officers from the Vanuatu Law Reform Commission (VLRC), Vivienne Lumae and Lucienne Melkum, have returned home to Vanuatu.

The officers took part in a pioneering twinning and placement program with the Solomon Islands Law Reform Commission (SILRC). The initiative, supported under the Vanuatu–Australia partnership, is designed to strengthen law reform capacity across the Pacific by promoting shared learning and regional cooperation.

During their placement, Ms. Lumae and Ms. Melkum gained valuable insights into the Solomon Islands’ approaches to legal research, stakeholder engagement, and report writing, while also sharing Vanuatu’s experiences in these key areas.

“This exchange reflects the spirit of lan long ol wantok fren – hemi gud fasin blong lanem niu samting,” said a VLRC spokesperson. “By learning from each other, both commissions are building stronger, more effective institutions that serve the people of our region.”

The program builds on earlier collaboration, including SILRC’s visit to Port Vila in April this year. The VLRC and SILRC continue to demonstrate the power of regional solidarity, knowledge sharing, and mutual support in advancing justice sector reforms.

The VLRC congratulates Ms. Lumae and Ms. Melkum on the successful completion of their placement and acknowledges the ongoing support of the Government of Australia in fostering this important partnership.