Prime Minister Napat Attends Melanesian Oceans Summit in PNG, Meets Vanuatu Students at PAU

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat is in Papua New Guinea this week to participate in the Melanesian Oceans Summit, a regional gathering hosted by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby. The summit brings together Melanesian leaders and regional representatives to discuss ocean conservation, marine resources, climate resilience and sustainable development across the Pacific.

 Prime Minister Napat Attends Melanesian Oceans Summit in PNG, Meets Vanuatu Students at PAU/Photo Supplied

The visit marks Prime Minister Napat’s first official overseas engagement for 2026 and comes ahead of the opening of Vanuatu’s first parliamentary sitting of the year scheduled for Friday. Despite a busy diplomatic programme, the Prime Minister made time shortly after arriving in Papua New Guinea to meet members of the Vanuatu community studying and working at Pacific Adventist University.

During the visit to the university campus, Prime Minister Napat met Vanuatu students, trainee doctors and members of the Vanuatu community currently residing in Papua New Guinea. Vanuatu pilots based in PNG were unable to attend the gathering because of work and flight commitments. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Prime Minister to hear directly from students about their studies and experiences abroad.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Napat encouraged the students to remain disciplined and focused while representing their country overseas. He stressed the importance of respect, consistency, hard work and service, reminding the students and trainees that they carried the image and reputation of Vanuatu wherever they went.

“You are ambassadors of Vanuatu in Papua New Guinea,” Prime Minister Napat told the students. “Carry yourselves with pride, work hard in your studies and continue to serve your communities and country with commitment.”

Vice Chancellor of Pacific Adventist University, Professor Lohi Matainaho, welcomed the Vanuatu leader and described the visit as historic for the university. He said Prime Minister Napat was the first international Head of Government to officially visit PAU and thanked the Government of Vanuatu for continuing to support its citizens studying at the institution.

Professor Matainaho acknowledged Vanuatu’s ongoing partnership with the university and said the majority of Vanuatu students currently studying through PAU programmes were supported through government sponsorship arrangements.

Assistant Registrar Ridley Joseph confirmed that there are currently 142 Vanuatu students enrolled through PAU programmes. According to the university, 58 students are studying on campus in Port Moresby while another 84 are undertaking off-campus cohort programmes delivered in Vanuatu.

The Prime Minister’s visit also coincided with Mother’s Day celebrations. During the programme, Vanuatu students presented a special gift to Madam Letis Napat in recognition of the occasion. Prime Minister Napat also made a donation to the PAU Vanuatu Students Association to support student activities and welfare initiatives.

The event concluded with a Mother’s Day celebration involving members of the Vanuatu community in Papua New Guinea, where mothers attending the programme were presented with gifts as part of the celebrations.