Port Vila, Vanuatu - Vanuatu’s accountability journey took centre stage at a public event co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Vanuatu Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (VANGO). Held in Port Vila, the dialogue spotlighted perspectives from ni-Vanuatu communities on the ongoing process of accountability and cohesive state-building. 

The event featured an engaging exchange of perspectives between research-driven insights and community-based engagement led by VANGO. Both activities were supported under the European Union-funded Vaka Pasifika initiative. 

The report, titled Accountability Ecosystems – Political Economy Analysis: Vanuatu and published with La Trobe University is part of a series of country focused political analysis on accountability in the Pacific. Although published in 2023, the report continues to spark deep resonance today, especially its framing of accountability as relational and locally rooted. 

Dr. Grégoire Nimbtik led the presentation of the study’s key signals, which were echoed by participants across sectors:

• Vanuatu’s Constitution defined three pillars for nation-building: the State, the Church and traditional chiefly systems. While these pillars stand strong today the articulation of their integration and articulation is unfinished.
• Echoing the above, accountability takes many shapes in Vanuatu: legal, relational and spiritual notably. Accountability is therefore shaped by relationships, family ties, faith networks and social expectations are just as influential as formal processes.
• Windows of opportunities exist to reignite accountability debates and coalitions in Vanuatu; the decentralisation process might be one of them.

The need to connect rather than separate kastom, church and state emerged as a core theme, both in discussion and response. As the report states: 

“To strengthen accountability in Vanuatu, we must connect the pillars of kastom, Christianity and state, not treat them as separate worlds.”

VANGO CEO Shirley Abraham highlighted how initiatives like the Citizen Budget Guide continue to empower communities by translating complex fiscal data into accessible formats. 

Her intervention underscored the role of civil society in bridging knowledge gaps, strengthening citizen voice and taking advantage of opportunities to shape Vanuatu-specific solutions.

This event builds on momentum across the region. Vanuatu’s analysis joins companion studies from Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia under Vaka Pasifika collectively contributing to more grounded policy reform, donor coordination and community advocacy across the Pacific.

This regional series and its dissemination are supported through the European Union’s funding and support to Vaka Pasifika, which continues to strengthen locally grounded policy reform and civic dialogue across the Pacific.

The full Vanuatu report is available here: Accountability Ecosystems Political Economy Analysis Vanuatu

Citizens Budget Guide Vanuatu 2024

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sofaia Koroitanoa, Communications Officer, Vaka Pasifika | sofaia.koroitanoa@undp.org