Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea will strengthen their long-standing defence partnership through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force later this month.

Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Napuat said discussions on the proposed agreement took place during a bilateral meeting last Friday with Papua New Guinea’s Defence Minister, Hon. Elias Kapavore.

Minister Napuat said both sides agreed to sign the MoU on 31 August, formalising discussions aimed at expanding cooperation between the two security forces.

The agreement is expected to provide VMF officers with greater opportunities to undertake training with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, while also creating new areas for cooperation, including officer cadet programmes, joint training and operational collaboration.

Minister Napuat said the new agreement builds on the long history of cooperation between the two countries’ security forces.

“This MoU is not something new. Our two forces have worked together for many years. Papua New Guinea assisted Vanuatu during our independence, while Vanuatu Police Force and Mobile Force officers also served during the Bougainville crisis to help restore peace.”

He said the Government now wants to elevate the partnership by creating more meaningful engagement through professional training, disaster response cooperation and stronger operational coordination.

Minister Napuat said the agreement would also strengthen both countries’ ability to respond collectively to natural disasters and other regional challenges, with provisions allowing Vanuatu to call on Papua New Guinea for assistance when required.

He said the initiative forms part of Vanuatu’s broader commitment to strengthening relationships within Melanesia and enhancing regional cooperation on shared security and humanitarian challenges.

The Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be signed on 31 August.