Australia and Vanuatu have signed a new bilateral treaty that significantly expands cooperation on security, critical infrastructure, disaster response, and economic development.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat signed the Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement in Canberra, describing it as a new framework for closer integration based on mutual trust and shared regional responsibilities.
Named after Vanuatu's traditional community meeting place, the agreement commits the two countries to deeper collaboration across policing, maritime security, cyber resilience, intelligence sharing, and infrastructure protection.
Australia will expand its longstanding support for the Vanuatu Police Force through additional training, equipment, and operational assistance, while also strengthening cooperation on maritime security and cyber support.
The agreement also includes commitments aimed at limiting foreign military influence in Vanuatu. The Pacific nation has pledged not to allow foreign military bases or military infrastructure on its territory and to keep critical infrastructure free from militarisation, foreign interference and unauthorised access.
Vanuatu will also consult Australia when considering third-party involvement in its critical infrastructure.
The security provisions reinforce the Pacific Islands Forum's position that regional security is the shared responsibility of Pacific nations.
“The Nakamal Agreement is an important step in our long-standing partnership with Vanuatu,” Prime Minister Albanese said in a statement.
“Initiated at Vanuatu’s request, this agreement elevates and strengthens the relationship between our countries – we are committing to walking forwards together.
“Prime Minister Napat's visit to Australia to sign the Nakamal Agreement is a demonstration of our shared commitment to shaping our countries and our region for the better.”
Recognising climate change as a shared regional challenge, Australia and Vanuatu also committed to working together on the transition to renewable energy, including support for both on-grid and off-grid renewable energy projects across Vanuatu.
The Nakamal Agreement will enter into force once both countries complete their respective domestic ratification processes, marking one of Australia's most comprehensive bilateral agreements with a Pacific Island nation.
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David Hollingworth
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.