Vanuatu and PNG boost friendship with new agreement

November 3, 2024 10:01 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

The governments of Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have taken a pivotal step in advancing their bilateral relations and regional collaboration with the signing of a landmark Framework Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.

Signed on 25 October by Vanuatu’s Prime Minister (PM) Charlot Salwai and PNG’s PM James Marape, this agreement sets up a solid base for working more closely together.

The Framework Agreement sets a bold 5-year plan concentrating on important shared interests and to name a few: agriculture and food security, bilateral trade investment, climate change, environmental sustainability, defence and security health, medical services, infrastructure development energy and air services, marine and fisheries cooperation, disaster response and tourism and cultural exchange.

A statement to announced this agreement said that “these focus areas form the core of future cooperation. Both nations aim to boost economic growth and tackle shared challenges.

“To oversee implementation, a Joint Working Group with representatives from both countries will ensure that all projects align with each nation’s development priorities, addressing any challenges that arise along the way.” Marape highlighted the agreement’s importance, expressing hope for deepened ties with Vanuatu, a country significant to PNG since its early days of independence.

Salwai echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the agreement’s transformative potential. He conveyed Vanuatu’s commitment to learning from PNG and expressed hope that this framework will open doors to extended areas of cooperation.

This Framework Agreement is a big step forward for the Vanuatu-PNG partnership. It highlights their joint dedication to sustainable growth and regional unity, according to the statement.