Secretary-General calls on Vanuatu PM

They discussed political and governance issues in the Pacific islands and the challenges faced by small island developing states.

The Secretary-General encouraged Vanuatu to tap the newly established Commonwealth Regional Governance Facility in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in order to build institutional capacity. He added that the Government of Vanuatu can also benefit from greater networking opportunities such as the establishment of the Commonwealth Small States Office in Geneva, Switzerland, by the end of this year. Mr Sharma emphasised that the office will enable Vanuatu and other Commonwealth small states to have a presence in a strategic capital such as Geneva where key international organisations such as the World Trade Organization, UN Conference on Trade and Development, UN Human Rights Council, World Health Organization and International Labour Organization are located.

The Secretary-General and Prime Minister also discussed the benefits of closer co-operation between the Commonwealth and La Francophonie, of which Vanuatu is a member, to further the shared interests of both organisations in socio-economic development.

Mr Sharma also had a meeting with the Minister of Justice and Community Services Bakoa Kaltongga in which they discussed plans for the reform and strengthening of Vanuatu's judicial sector, access to justice, and the unique blend of customary and formal legal systems in the country. Their talks also focused on development opportunities for women.

Secretariat Links:

• Country Profile: Vanuatu