Despite a significant increase in the education budget—from 5 billion to 13 billion vatu over the last five years—education challenges were recognised as persisting across all sectors.

The drop out rate is considered by members as being a central contributing factor to increasing social issues such as street gang violence and community unrest.

Informal education, particularly community-based learning structures, continue to receive minimal government attention and funding.

2. Government Accountability and Transparency 

Despite Government’s progress in strengthening its management and reporting systems, members report that there are still several challenges for communities in accessing information along with numerous concerns relating to the accountability of Government in terms of its commitments, finances and decision making.

Transparency concerns from members relate to the lack of easy public access to key information such as reports on how the Government is performing against various plans and budgets, the lack of information for reports from bodies such as the Auditor General, Ombudsman and Commissions of Inquiry amongst others[1].

In terms of Government accountability, members raised concerns on a range of issues, for example the political appointment for the position of ombudsmen, a reported misuse of funds from a 1billion vatu road project, and the payment of MP expenses and allowances.  VANGO now notes the legislation recently passed in June 2025 to provide a framework for accountability for these allowances.

The 2024 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) acknowledged that Vanuatu has comprehensive human rights policies across five thematic areas. However, the lack of concrete implementation outcomes raises concerns.

3. Infrastructure, Decentralisation, and Community Development

Vanuatu’s dispersed geography presents high logistical and financial barriers to service delivery, hindering effective decentralisation. As a lower middle-income country, public services, especially in health, education, and economic development—remain inaccessible to many rural populations.

CSO members view that implementation plans for decentralisation remain underdeveloped, with many challenges to be overcome.

4. Climate Change and Climate Financing

Climate change presents an existential threat to Vanuatu, with many members concerned regarding rising sea levels, altered weather patterns, and declining food production.

The eruption in Ambae in 2018, for instance, displaced entire communities of 11000 people, contributing to cultural fragmentation, loss of indigenous knowledge, and weakened social cohesion.  Tropical Cyclone Pam (2015) alone destroyed over 60% of the nation’s economic base, illustrating the ongoing vulnerability.

Whilst there is significant donor funds directed to Vanuatu for climate change and resilience.  Many members, particularly the small community based organisations (CBOs) report that they receive little benefit from them and continue to utilize traditional practices and, in emergency situations, often are left to passively wait for aid to be delivered.  There are continuing issues with the content of much of the aid as well, with it not always aligned to the needs of communities.

Whilst many members expressed jubilation relating to the recent decision by the International Court of Justice it is hoped that resulting efforts and financing will reach those communities directly affected.

5. Health

Members noted the frustration of the health system in Vanuatu being under-resourced and ill equipped to meet demand. Many citizens must travel abroad for essential medical treatments due to the lack of adequate facilities and equipment.

The rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) driven by poor diets and lifestyle factors is compounded by the limited capacity for early diagnosis and preventive care in Vanuatu.

6. Poverty and Socio-Economic Inequality

While poverty is briefly captured in national census data, it gains little public attention.  Often, this may result in more unhealthy foods being sourced over more nutritious choices and sacrifices needing to be made on things such as health care and education.

7. Traditional Governance and Cultural Preservation

The preservation of traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and intergenerational wisdom is a global agenda, but, as noted by Members, implementation remains weak in Vanuatu. While the National Sustainable Development Plan includes a social pillar that promotes culture, actual progress has been limited.

Knowledge of local languages is also diminishing as more people are moving to Port Vila.

8. Civic Space and Civil Society

Vanuatu was one of the first Pacific nations to adopt an NGO Policy and is now drafting an NGO Act. However, recent government actions have raised concerns about shrinking civic space. Moves to deregister international organizations such as Oxfam— citing foreign influence— have alarmed civil society.

Whilst the withdrawal of U.S. development funding did not have the impact on Vanuatu as much as it has in other places around the world, it has nevertheless disrupted some programmes and the flow on effects, with reduced availability of aid continues to be felt.

9. Labour Mobility

Labour mobility schemes have brought economic benefits and employment opportunities to Vanuatu. However, they have also led to a significant brain drain, especially among skilled workers and civil society are also being affected by this in terms of their workforce.

The social issues Members report as a direct result of the RSE however are considerable.

10.  Human Rights – Gender, Disability and Children

Vanuatu is a signatory to several international standards including: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Despite this however, members note that the human rights of many in our community are being infringed upon.

VANGO looks forward to joining the 54^thPacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting to discuss these and other issues with colleagues from across the region.  The spirit of identifying key issues allows us to collectively work together with learning and collective empowerment to help create social change.

Tankyu Tumas.