Press Releases
Grant Assistance to the Republic of Vanuatu: Signing and Exchange of Notes on “the Programme for Emergency Rehabilitation of Principal Economic Infrastructure Affected by the Earthquake”
On July 14, 2025, 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. Xavier Emmanuel HARRY, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade and Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities of the Republic of Vanuatu, signed and exchanged notes for “the Programme for Emergency Rehabilitation of Principal Economic Infrastructure Affected by the Earthquake” (project up to 2.5 billion yen).
- This cooperation is part of ongoing efforts to support recovery and reconstruction following the major earthquake that struck on December 17 last year. The ongoing efforts include emergency assistance such as the provision of emergency relief supplies, the dispatch of disaster medical teams, and the dispatch of disaster assessment teams, as well as the provision of earthquake disaster recovery equipment, which was decided in March this year. By implementing economic and social infrastructure development centered on the reconstruction of major bridge on key arterial roads, which are crucial for the recovery and reconstruction process, this programme will contribute to “Build Back Better” by strengthening the country's disaster recovery capabilities.
- In the “Leaders Declaration” and the "Joint Action Plan" issued on July 18, 2024 at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) , Japan has announced “Climate Change and Disasters” as priority areas of cooperation, and this cooperation embodies the Plan. Japan remains committed to supporting Vanuatu in its efforts to recover and rebuild from the damage caused by the earthquake.
(Reference1) Basic Data on the Republic of Vanuatu
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).
(Reference2) 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10)
On July 16-18, 2024, 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). Then 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.