Vanuatu hosts consultation on Pacific Women in Maritime strategy

Jan 15, 2026 | News | 0

Vanuatu has reinforced its leadership role in promoting gender equality in the maritime sector by hosting a national consultation as part of the regional validation process for the Revised Regional Strategy for Pacific Women in Maritime 2025–2030.

The consultation is part of a broader regional initiative involving three Pacific countries, with Vanuatu representing Melanesia, Kiribati representing Micronesia, and Samoa representing Polynesia. Following the Vanuatu session, the regional team will hold similar engagements in Kiribati and Samoa to gather comprehensive input into the revised Strategy.

Held at The Melanesian Hotel yesterday, the consultation brought together women from across the maritime sector, including the Ministry of Fisheries, Oceans and Maritime Affairs (MFOMA), as well as representatives from cross-cutting government departments such as the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC). Development and donor partners, including the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and other regional stakeholders, also contributed to the discussions.

Speaking on behalf of the Pacific Women in Maritime Association, Seloni Toakuru underlined the maritime sector’s central role in the Pacific and the need for greater inclusion of women as the sector evolves.

“The Pacific maritime sector is the lifeline of our region. It connects our islands, supports trade, and sustains the social and economic well-being of our communities. In the face of decarbonisation, technological advancement, and global challenges, building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready maritime sector has never been more important,” Toakuru said.

She noted that the revised Strategy reflects a collective regional effort to address these challenges while advancing gender equality across the maritime sector. The Strategy builds on the Pacific Women in Maritime Strategy 2020–2024 and responds to the call by Pacific Ministers at the 5th Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’ Meeting, held in Vanuatu in 2023, to strengthen gender equality within maritime transport and related industries.

The development of the Revised Regional Strategy was initiated by the Pacific Women in Maritime Association (PacWIMA) in 2024, beginning with a regional consultative workshop in Nadi, Fiji. The drafting process was guided by a Drafting Committee led by the PacWIMA Executive Committee, with technical support from the Pacific Community (SPC).

Toakuru also recognised the contribution of Ore Toua, the lead SPC consultant for the Strategy, noting that her expertise and long-standing advocacy for women in maritime across the Pacific, including Vanuatu, were essential in ensuring the Strategy is practical, relevant, and grounded in regional realities.

Looking ahead to 2030, the Strategy represents more than a policy framework. It embodies a shared regional vision for an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable maritime sector where women can fully participate, contribute, and lead at all levels of decision-making.

During the consultation mission, the regional team also met with the Director General (DG) of the MFOMA, Samson Vilvil Fare, and the DG of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, Noah Patrick Kouback.

DG Fare shared insights on gender, labour mobility, and other cross-cutting challenges affecting the maritime sector and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the Strategy.

He confirmed that the Strategy’s pillars and objectives will be integrated into the Ministry’s workplan and noted that it aligns closely with Vanuatu’s national priorities in fisheries and maritime development.

He also expressed optimism that these issues will be reflected in the Ministry’s Corporate Plan for 2026–2030.

The revised draft Strategy is expected to be validated at the Biennial Pacific Women in Maritime Meeting in the Cook Islands in February 2026, before being submitted for endorsement at the 6th Pacific Regional Maritime Transport Meeting in Papua New Guinea in May 2026.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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