Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu discuss strategic partnerships in economic growth, aviation and advanced healthcare
PAPUA New Guinea Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Vanuatu Prime Minister Hon. Jotham Napat held high-level bilateral talks on the margins of Vanuatu’s 46th Independence anniversary last week Friday.
The meeting focused on establishing a roadmap for expanded economic cooperation and a historic healthcare alliance between the two countries.
Prime Minister Napat proposed operationalizing existing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to progress development in agriculture, trade, and public private partnerships (PPPs).
To address Vanuatu’s structural barriers in inter-island aviation and local hotel ownership, Prime Minister Marape committed PNG capital and expertise.
PNG proposed a joint venture between its Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC)—utilizing subsidiaries PNG Air and Heavy Lift—and Vanuatu’s National Provident Fund to build sustainable local air transport.
PM Marape also recommended strategic upgrades for Vanuatu’s resource sectors such as Fisheries- Pressuring international partners to invest in local downstream processing rather than raw extraction, Maritime Security – Signing “shiprider” agreements with defence partners to protect Vanuatu’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and Livestock- Implementing aggressive processing protocols to secure regional cattle exports.
The two nations discussed healthcare partnership integrating patient data networks between their main referral hospitals. PNG will extend its state-of-the-art specialist facilities—specifically targeting cancer treatments—to Vanuatu citizens at subsidized local PNG domestic rates rather than expensive international fees.
Under a streamlined clinical pipeline, Vanuatu patients will undergo initial diagnostic screenings locally. Their records will sync digitally with PNG specialists via secure ICT systems before patients are flown to Port Moresby for definitive treatment.
PM Marape emphasized this serves as a critical medical buffer for Vanuatu and Solomon Islands while they build their own domestic capacity.
Prime Minister Napat deeply thanked PNG, noting the initiative alleviates the crippling financial burdens of overseas medical care.
PM Marape commended Vanuatu’s global leadership on climate action and West Papua, reaffirming that PNG will stand beside Vanuatu on these global matters.
Prime Minister Marape extended his warm congratulations to the people of Vanuatu for a spectacular independence celebration and thanked PM Napat for the hospitality shown to the PNG delegation.