The Vanuatu Delegation participated in the 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. The delegation is led by Mr. James Tari, First Political Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and External Trade and accompanied by Mr. Mathieu Hervillard Le Peillet, Vanuatu’s Permanent Representative to UNESCAP and Mr. Eddison Taso, UN Desk Officer.

Throughout the session, the delegation engaged actively at side events, bilateral meetings, and high-level discussions, including key engagements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand under the framework of the 5th Thailand Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (TPIF). Additionally, the delegation participated in a study tour organized by the ESCAP Pacific Office, visiting the Thailand Water Quality Management Centre and the Baan Mankong (Secure Housing) initiative in Bangkok, gaining valuable insights into sustainable urban development and water management practices.

During the week-long event, ministers and key stakeholders from across Asia and the Pacific convened to address critical policy issues for inclusive and sustainable development. The session was centered on the theme: “Regional Cooperation for Resilient and Sustainable Urban Development in Asia and the Pacific”.

The discussions provided a vital platform to advance inclusive urban growth and foster collective actions aimed at achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With over 2.2 billion urban residents and many of the world’s largest megacities, Asia and the Pacific remains a global urban leader. However, the region faces pressing challenges, including slowing population growth, economic volatility, climate-related risks, and social disparities, which necessitate integrated and sustainable development strategies.

In addition to participating in thematic discussions, the Vanuatu Delegation successfully engaged in the voting processes for the four UNESCAP governing bodies which contribute to the regional decision-making process that will guide the Commission’s work in the coming months.

The delegation reaffirmed Vanuatu’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing resilience, and promoting sustainable urban development, particularly in support of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other vulnerable economies in the Pacific.

March 17, 2025 Press Release

On March 12, 2025 the Pacific Ambassadors from Missions based in Geneva met with Switzerland`s Assistant State Secretary Mr. Heinrich Schellenberg in Bern Switzerland. Representing the Pacific Missions were H.E. Sumbue Antas, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Embassy and Permanent Mission of the Republic of Vanuatu; H.E. Doreen Debrum, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Embassy and Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands;  H.E. Nella Pepe Tavita-Levy, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Embassy and Permanent Mission of Samoa, H.E. Akillino H. Susaia, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Embassy and Permanent Mission of the Federated States of Micronesia; Ms. Keleni Seruvatu, Deputy Permanent Representative, Embassy and Permanent Mission of the Republic Fiji; and Ms. Albiteta Teitibwebwe, Charge d` Affairs, Permanent Mission of Kiribati.

The overall objective of the dialogue between H.E Heinrich Schellenberg, Switzerland Ambassador to the Asia pacific and the Pacific Heads of Missions based in Geneva was to reaffirm and further enhance mutual cooperations and commitments between Switzerland and the Pacific Permanent Missions based in Geneva. The parties also discussed priority and challenges facing Pacific Island Countries particularly in the specific areas of Climate Change, Waste and Pollution, Human Rights among other issues of priority for Pacific Island countries. The parties also agree to hold annual or bi-annual meetings starting this year.

Also attending the meeting were Mr. Fabian Froehlich, Diplomatic Collaborator, Ms. Danielle Werthmuller, Counsellor of the Swiss Permanent Mission in Geneva and Mr. Johnny Hadley Jr., First Secretary of the Federated States of Micronesia Embassy and Permanent Mission.

In his Courtesy visit to the Hon. Prime Minister, Jotham NAPAT, on the 14^th of March 2025, His Excellency Dirk WAGENER, the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) for the Pacific, exchange constructive views on issues of collaboration and mutual interest.

Initially, the Hon. Prime Minister welcome the UNRC, and commend his strong leadership in supporting the Vanuatu NSDP 2030 priorities. Words of acknowledgement extended to the UNRC for the humanitarian support by the UN during the aftermath of cyclone Pam, the twin Judy and Keven, Harold, Volcanic ash in Tanna, and the recent post 7.4 magnitude earthquake.

The UNRC congratulate the PM on his election and formally conveys congratulations on behalf of the UN Secretary-General to the Government. He re-affirmed that UN remains committed to working closely with the new Government to advance key priorities, including climate change, recovery, and the SDGs, in these critical times.

With regards to the International Climate Change Advisory Opinion (ICJ) on the Climate Change initiative, the Hon Prime Minister highlights that Vanuatu with other Climate vulnerable countries, including SIDS, made some strong and convincing arguments in favour of the initiative. The Advisory Opinion (AO) outcome is expected for in mid-2025, and will be brough back to the UNGA for a resolution on the AO outcome. Accordingly, he solicits the support of UN in ensuring that the AO decision be placed as an agenda for the Sept/Oct 2025 on the UN calendar. Hon NAPAT also points out that while we may not have a consensus, like the initial UNGA resolution advising the ICJ to take on the AO proceedings, given the anticipated sensitivity of the ICJAO outcome, we remain hopeful for a wide majority of support from the UN members.

Hon PM also seeks UN Support on the United Nation Peace Keeping deployment for our Police and Military Officers. He requests for the UNRC to work with the United Nations Peace Keeping Operation (UNKPO) to ensure the deployment of the 6 officers that are selected, after pre-deployment training in Jakarta in 2024, to be deployed to South Sudan as per prior arrangements.

Furthermore, the Hon. Prime Minister confirmed that COM, since yesterday, has endorsed for the re-collocation of the United Nations Joint Presence Office (UNJPO) in Vanuatu to the ABC Center Building, as per our Host Country Agreements. In the long-term plan, PM alluded that COM endorse to provide Land for a UN House purposely to expand UN Presence in country, hence, more support by UN to the Government and people of Vanuatu.

In responding to the Hon. PM’s soliciting views on the President Trump abrupt Executive Order withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the WHO and USAID, Mr.WAGENER, affirm that UN Charter allows for UN reform, and correspondingly, UN will reform its institutions to carter for the funding losses. He further affirmed that SIDS, like Vanuatu, are a priority group under UN for at least the forthcoming decades given our vulnerability, and the funding loss will not be felt heavily within our region.