Honiara, Solomon Islands | 8–12 September 2025
The Honorable Prime Minister of Vanuatu participated for the first time in the Forum Leaders’ Meeting at its 54th session, held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from 8 to 12 September, under the theme “Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent. “Honorable Napat highly commended the government of the Solomon Islands for its outstanding hosting of this high-level meeting.
The 54th Forum Leaders meeting convened at a critical time for the region, where regional solidarity is vital amid an increasingly complex geostrategic environment. The convergence of climate change, geopolitical rivalry, economic fragility, and social pressures underscored the urgency of strengthened regionalism. Leaders stressed the importance of deepened regional integration—beyond cooperation—under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, with an emphasis on inclusive governance, political stability, and collective action through the engagements of special Troika missions.
Leaders also reinforced the need for regionally driven economic development, encouraging deeper collaboration in trade, fisheries, labor mobility, digital connectivity, and other key sectors while ensuring that external partnerships align with forum priorities.
Leaders engaged in meaningful dialogue with Pacific ACP Leaders, regional stakeholders, including CROP Heads, the private sector, civil society, and Associate Members. The views expressed on key development, political, and social issues will be taken through relevant forum processes for further action.
At the margins of this high-level meeting, Honorable Napat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fiji to strengthen cooperation across sectors such as climate change, education, trade, energy, security, ICT, agriculture, immigration, and humanitarian assistance.
Vanuatu, through the Honorable Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change, hosted a side event on the ICJ Advisory Opinion, reflecting on its key deliverables and advocating for a UN resolution to operationalize its implementation through relevant UN agencies. The event featured high-level panelists, including His Excellency Taneti Maamau, Head of State and Government of Kiribati; His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jr, President of the Republic of Palau; and Tina Stege, Climate Envoy for the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Honorable Napat, along with his regional counterparts, signed the establishment agreement for the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), a Pacific-led, owned, and managed financing facility that serves to provide a dedicated, predictable, and accessible source of financing for Pacific communities to build and enhance their resilience against climate change and natural disasters. Honorable Napat believes that the signing of the PRF is a key milestone in strengthening institutional capacity for climate resilience and disaster preparedness in the Pacific.
Honorable Napat commended Fiji for its leadership in initiating and spearheading the Ocean of Peace concept and its accompanying Declaration through the Forum processes, culminating in its signing and endorsement by the Leaders. The Declaration complements regional policies by reaffirming the region’s commitment to peace, unity, and cooperation. It aims to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region while addressing key challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and socio-economic issues.
Despite his tight schedule, Honorable Napat dedicated time to visit the Vanuatu students at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), where he encouraged them, pledged support for privately sponsored students, and committed to facilitating employment for final-year graduates under the Public Service’s Ministry of Health and Education.
At the plenary, Honorable Napat reaffirmed Vanuatu’s support for the 2019 Leaders' decision for a visit to West Papua by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to be expedited by the Forum envoys in 2026, in consultation with the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s Secretariat.
Honorable Napat said that Vanuatu notes the Troika Plus mission to New Caledonia and anticipates the mission’s report. He called on forum countries to demonstrate solidarity with the people of New Caledonia and urged continued, inclusive engagement with all stakeholders to reach a mutually agreed-upon political solution.
While acknowledging the transformative benefits derived from the labor mobility programs, Honorable Napat said Vanuatu strongly supports the Labour Mobility Principles developed by forum members in collaboration with PACER PLUS and other related agencies, to ensure the workers' rights and welfare are upheld in line with international labor laws as a way to sustain this program moving forward.
Honorable Napat said Vanuatu welcomes the private sector's regional strategy to boost economic growth, and on the development of the Kava Declaration, he called for inclusive consultations with all Kava-producing countries and stakeholders, particularly on the work related to safeguarding its intellectual property and geographical indications.
In light of the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on Climate Change, Honorable Napat conveyed Vanuatu’s appreciation to the Leaders for their support throughout the process that led to this landmark decision by the world’s highest court. He stated that it serves as a clear demonstration and affirmation of what our region can achieve when we work together as one Blue Pacific. He encouraged all Forum member countries to utilize the Advisory Opinion when engaging in international climate change negotiations and related processes, and urged them to support the next step, which is to seek the endorsement of the Advisory Opinion by the United Nations General Assembly.
Honorable Napat stated that Vanuatu supports Australia's bid to host COP31 as a Pacific COP and has endorsed the Forum Leaders’ joint statement on the bid.
Reflecting on his high-level engagement at the Leaders' Plenary and Retreat, Honorable Napat emphasized the need for Vanuatu to play an active and constructive role in shaping regional policies. He urged all government line agencies to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the national focal point for the Forum, to engage in regional policy processes relevant to their respective sectors.
Vanuatu was fortunate to have both the Honorable Prime Minister and Honorable Ralph Regenvanu, attended the Forum Leaders meeting in Honiara. While Honorable Ralph was leading Vanuatu at the opening ceremony of this high-level meeting and conducting several bilateral at its margins, the Honorable Prime Minister headed Vanuatu’s delegation during the plenary event, the Leaders retreat and the closing ceremony. Engagements of both the Prime Minister and the Honorable Ralph have made Vanuatu participation very significant and beneficial.
