Press Releases
Grant Assistance to the Republic of Vanuatu: Signing and Exchange of Notes on “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Fishery Research Vessel)”
On December 4, in Port Vila, the capital of the Republic of Vanuatu, H.E. Mr. OKUDA Naohisa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Vanuatu, and the Honourable Mr. Matai SEREMAIAH Nawalu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade of the Republic of Vanuatu, signed and exchanged notes for “the Economic and Social Development Programme (Fishery Research Vessel)” (project up to 700 million yen).
- This cooperation aims to promote sustainable fisheries development in Vanuatu where the fisheries industry is an essential source of income, by providing a fisheries research vessel and other equipment to be used to continue watching increases and decreases in the volume and distribution of fisheries resources.
- In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held on July 18, Japan has announced “Resource and Economic Development” and ”Ocean and Environment” as priority areas of cooperation, and this cooperation embodies the Plan.
The Republic of Vanuatu covers 12,190 square kilometers and has a population of 334,506 people (2023, World Bank). It has a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$3,660 (2023, World Bank).
On July 18, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was co-chaired by Prime Minister KISHIDA and Prime Minister BROWN of the Cook Islands, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The Meeting was attended by the leaders and representatives of 19 countries, regions and regional organization including Japan, 14 Pacific Island countries, two French overseas collectivities, Australia, and New Zealand, and the chair of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Prime Minister Charlot SALWAI Tabimasmas represented the Republic of Vanuatu.
The Government of Japan announced Japan’s commitment to continue its robust development assistance and support for more than 6,500 people-to-people exchanges as well as human resource development over the next three years based on the seven priority areas of cooperation which are in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent or “2050 Strategy" of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): (1) Political Leadership and Regionalism, (2) People-centered Development, (3) Peace and Security, (4) Resources and Economic Development, (5) Climate Change and Disasters, (6) Ocean and Environment, (7) Technology and Connectivity.