Press Releases
Grant Assistance to the Republic of Vanuatu: Signing and Exchange of Notes on “the Project for Strengthening Disaster Resilience of Health Care Facilities in Remote Islands”
On February 10, 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 Ms. Roshni BASU, UNICEF Officer-in-Charge for Representative for the Pacific Island Countries, signed and exchanged notes for “the Project for Strengthening Disaster Resilience of Health Care Facilities in Remote Islands” (project up to 1.095 billion yen).
- In Vanuatu, natural disasters such as cyclones frequently occur, and many remote outer islands, located far from the capital, face challenges in medical response during disasters and emergencies. This project aims to strengthen the medical system for disasters and emergencies by installing water and sanitation facilities and solar power systems at health and medical facilities on the outer islands, and to improve the medical management capacity through training and other programs for healthcare workers.
- In the “Leaders Declaration” and the “Joint Action Plan" issued at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held in July, 2024, Japan has announced “People-centered Development” as the priority areas of Japan’s cooperation, and this cooperation embodies the Plan.
(Reference1) Basic Data on the Republic of Vanuatu
The Republic of Vanuatu covers 12,190 square kilometers and has a population of 327,777 people (2024, World Bank). It has a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$3,940 (2024, World Bank).
(Reference2) 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10)
On July 16 to 18, 2024, the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was co-chaired by Prime Minister Fumio KISHIDA and Prime Minister Mark 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.