Editing Vanuatu (section)

==Government==

===Politics===
{{Main|Politics of Vanuatu}}
[[File:Vanuatu Parliament, Port Vila - Flickr - PhillipC.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Vanuatu's parliament]]

The Republic of Vanuatu is a [[parliamentary democracy]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Veenendaal|first=Wouter|date=21 March 2021|title=How instability creates stability: the survival of democracy in Vanuatu|journal=Third World Quarterly|volume=42|issue=6|pages=1330–1346|doi=10.1080/01436597.2021.1890577|issn=0143-6597|doi-access=free|hdl=1887/3249953|hdl-access=free}}</ref> with a [[Constitution of Vanuatu|written constitution]], which declares that the "head of the Republic shall be known as the President and shall symbolise the unity of the nation." The powers of the [[President of Vanuatu]], who is elected for a five-year term by a two-thirds vote of an electoral college, are primarily ceremonial.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Government of the Republic of Vanuatu |year=1983 |url=http://vanuatugovernment.gov.vu/government/library/constitution.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430172100/http://vanuatugovernment.gov.vu/government/library/constitution.html |archive-date=30 April 2009 |title=Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu |access-date=26 July 2009}}</ref> The electoral college consists of members of Parliament and the presidents of Regional Councils. The President may be removed by the electoral college for gross misconduct or incapacity.

The [[Prime Minister of Vanuatu|Prime Minister]], who is the [[head of government]], is elected by a majority vote of a three-quarters [[quorum]] of the Parliament. The Prime Minister, in turn, appoints the Council of Ministers, whose number may not exceed a quarter of the number of parliamentary representatives. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers constitute the executive government.

The [[Parliament of Vanuatu]] is [[unicameral]] and has 52 members,<ref>[http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/vu/legis/consol_sub/rotpcas654/rotpcas654.html?stem=&synonyms=&query=members%20of%20parliament Representation of the People (Parliamentary Constituencies and Seats)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201000158/http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/vu/legis/consol_sub/rotpcas654/rotpcas654.html?stem=&synonyms=&query=members%20of%20parliament |date=1 February 2021 }}.</ref> who are elected by popular vote every four years unless earlier dissolved by a majority vote of a three-quarters quorum or by a directive from the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Forty-four of these MPs are elected through [[Single non-transferable voting]]; eight are elected through single-member plurality.

The national Council of Chiefs, called the ''[[Malvatu Mauri]]'' and elected by district councils of chiefs, advises the government on all matters concerning ni-Vanuatu culture and language. The [[Supreme Court of Vanuatu|Supreme Court]] consists of a chief justice and up to three other judges. Two or more members of this court may constitute a Court of Appeal. Magistrate courts handle most routine legal matters. The legal system is based on [[Common law|British common law]] and [[French civil law]]. The [[Constitution of Vanuatu|constitution]] also provides for the establishment of village or island courts presided over by chiefs to deal with questions of [[Custom (law)|customary law]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Forsyth |first=Miranda |title=Beyond Case Law: Kastom and Courts in Vanuatu |url=https://mjcs.gov.vu/images/research_database/Beyond_Case_Law_Kastom_and_Courts_in_Vanuatu.pdf |journal=Kastom and Courts in Vanuatu |page=431 |quote=Article 52 states that Parliament is to provide for the establishment of Island Courts with jurisdiction over customary and other matters and shall provide for the role of chiefs in such Courts.}}</ref> [[Squatting in Vanuatu|Squatting]] occurs and the principle of [[adverse possession]] does not exist.<ref name="RC">{{cite web |title=Housing land and property law in Vanuatu |url=https://www.sheltercluster.org/sites/default/files/docs/vanuatu_disaster_law_hlp_mapping_0.pdf |website=International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |access-date=16 March 2021 |archive-date=17 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817040750/https://www.sheltercluster.org/sites/default/files/docs/vanuatu_disaster_law_hlp_mapping_0.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Besides national authorities and figures, Vanuatu also has high-placed people at the village level. Chiefs continue to be the leading figures at the village level. It has been reported that even politicians need to oblige them.<ref name="Lonely Planet:Vanuatu">Lonely Planet:Vanuatu</ref> In northern Vanuatu, feasts are graded through the nimangki system.

In July 2024, Minister [[Charlot Salwai]] graced the [[opening ceremony]] of the new $21 million [[presidential palace]] built by China. [[Hu Chunhua]] bestowed Vanuatu an oversized [[novelty]] golden key [[Blazon|emblazoned]] with "China Aid". [[Dragon dance]]rs and ceremonial [[kava]] brew completed the festivity.<ref>{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=China builds Vanuatu presidential palace|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/07/03/world/asia-oceania/china-builds-vanuatu-presidential-palace/1954733 |accessdate=July 3, 2024 |publisher=[[The Manila Times]] |date=July 3, 2024}}</ref>

===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Vanuatu}}
[[File:Narendra Modi meeting the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Mr. Sato Kilman, in Jaipur on August 21, 2015. The Union Minister for External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, Smt. Sushma Swaraj is also seen (1).jpg|thumb|Vanuatu Prime Minister [[Sato Kilman]] with Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] in August 2015]]
Vanuatu has joined the [[Asian Development Bank]], the [[World Bank]], the [[International Monetary Fund]], the ''[[Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique]]'', ''la [[Francophonie]]'', and the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. Vanuatu has been a member of the [[Forum of Small States]] (FOSS) since the group's founding in 1992.<ref name="singaporebook">{{Cite book|title=50 Years of Singapore and the United Nations |publisher=World Scientific |isbn=978-981-4713-03-0 |year=2015}}.</ref>

Since 1980, Australia, the United Kingdom, France and New Zealand have provided the bulk of Vanuatu's development aid. Direct aid from the UK to Vanuatu ceased in 2005 following the decision by the UK to no longer focus on the Pacific. More recently, new donors such as the [[Millennium Challenge Account]] (MCA) of the United States and the [[China|People's Republic of China]] have been providing increased amounts of aid funding and loans. In 2005 the MCA announced that Vanuatu was one of the first 15 countries in the world selected to receive support – an amount of US$65&nbsp;million was given for the provision and upgrading of key pieces of [[public infrastructure]].[[File:Free West Papua (3) (Imagicity 548).jpg|thumb|[[Free Papua Movement|Free West Papua]] concert in Vanuatu]]
In March 2017, at the 34th regular session of the [[United Nations Human Rights Council|UN Human Rights Council]], Vanuatu made a joint statement on behalf of some other Pacific nations raising human rights abuses in the [[Western New Guinea]] or West Papua region, which has been part of Indonesia since 1963,<ref>{{cite news |title=Freedom of the press in Indonesian-occupied West Papua |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/jul/22/freedom-of-the-press-in-indonesian-occupied-west-papua |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=22 July 2019 |access-date=30 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725001246/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/jul/22/freedom-of-the-press-in-indonesian-occupied-west-papua |archive-date=25 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and requested that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights produce a report<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fox|first1=Liam|title=Pacific nations call for UN investigations into alleged Indonesian rights abuses in West Papua|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-02/pacific-nations-call-for-un-investigations-into-west-papua/8320194|work=ABC News|date=2 March 2017|access-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031203404/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-02/pacific-nations-call-for-un-investigations-into-west-papua/8320194|archive-date=31 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SBSMar17">{{cite news|title=Pacific nations want UN to investigate Indonesia on West Papua|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/03/02/pacific-nations-want-un-investigate-indonesia-west-papua|work=SBS News|date=7 March 2017|access-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107034058/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/03/02/pacific-nations-want-un-investigate-indonesia-west-papua|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> as more than 100,000 Papuans allegedly have died during decades of [[Papua conflict]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Goodbye Indonesia |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2013/01/201313018313632585.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=31 January 2013 |access-date=30 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730063457/https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2013/01/201313018313632585.html |archive-date=30 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Indonesia rejected Vanuatu's allegations.<ref name="SBSMar17" /> In September 2017, at the [[Seventy-second session of the United Nations General Assembly|72nd Session of the UN General Assembly]], the Prime Ministers of Vanuatu, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands once again raised human rights concerns in West Papua.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fiery debate over West Papua at UN General Assembly|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201860156/fiery-debate-over-west-papua-at-un-general-assembly|access-date=7 October 2017|work=Radio New Zealand 2017|date=27 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001165326/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201860156/fiery-debate-over-west-papua-at-un-general-assembly|archive-date=1 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, newspaper reports from Australia indicated growing concern about the level of Chinese investment in Vanuatu, with over 50% of the country's debt of $440&nbsp;million owed to China.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/on-the-ground-in-vanuatu-monuments-to-china-s-growing-influence-are-everywhere-20180410-p4z8t0.html |title=On the ground in Vanuatu, monuments to China's growing influence are everywhere |last=Wroe |first=David |date=10 April 2018 |website=The Age |language=en |access-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411054524/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/on-the-ground-in-vanuatu-monuments-to-china-s-growing-influence-are-everywhere-20180410-p4z8t0.html |archive-date=11 April 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Concern was focused on the possibility that China would use Vanuatu's potential inability to repay debt as leverage to bargain for control of, or a [[People's Liberation Army]] presence at, [[Luganville]] Wharf. China loaned and funded the $114&nbsp;million redevelopment of the wharf, which has already been constructed, with the capacity to dock naval vessels.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/china-eyes-vanuatu-military-base-in-plan-with-global-ramifications-20180409-p4z8j9.html |title=China eyes Vanuatu military base in plan with global ramifications |last=Wroe |first=David |date=9 April 2018 |website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |language=en |access-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411085614/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/china-eyes-vanuatu-military-base-in-plan-with-global-ramifications-20180409-p4z8j9.html |archive-date=11 April 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2024, China built three governmental buildings, including the new presidential palace, supposedly as a free donation to Vanuatu; this has revived international concerns about the potential overreach of Chinese authorities on Vanuatu and other Pacific countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2024/07/02/china-gifts-south-pacific-nation-vanuatu-new-presidential-palace-in-move-likely-to-ignite-concerns-over-beijings-reach/|title=China gifts South Pacific nation Vanuatu new presidential palace in move likely to ignite concerns over Beijing's reach|newspaper=Hong Kong Free Press|date=2 July 2024}}</ref>

Vanuatu retains strong economic and cultural ties to Australia, the [[European Union]] (in particular France), the UK, and New Zealand. Australia now provides the bulk of external assistance, including to the police force, which has a paramilitary wing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationmaster.com/country/nh-vanuatu/mil-military |title=Military statistics&nbsp;– How Vanuatu ranks |publisher=NationMaster |access-date=12 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510212716/http://www.nationmaster.com/country/nh-vanuatu/mil-military |archive-date=10 May 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Karen Bell is the new British High Commissioner to Vanuatu. The British High Commission to Vanuatu, located in Port Vila, was reopened in the summer of 2019 as part of the UK Government's 'Pacific Uplift' strategy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-of-british-high-commissioner-to-vanuatu-summer-2019|title=Change of British High Commissioner to Vanuatu – Summer 2019|publisher=UK Government|date=3 June 2019|access-date=9 October 2019|archive-date=24 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724050100/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-of-british-high-commissioner-to-vanuatu-summer-2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The British Friends of Vanuatu,<ref>[http://www.britishfriendsofvanuatu.org/index.html The British Friends of Vanuatu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708094937/http://www.british-friends-of-vanuatu.com/index.html |date=8 July 2011 }} website</ref> based in London, provides support for Vanuatu visitors to the UK, and can often offer advice and contacts to persons seeking information about Vanuatu or wishing to visit, and welcomes new members (not necessarily resident in the UK). The association's Charitable Trust funds small scale assistance in the education and training sector.

===Environmental policy===
In 2018, Vanuatu banned all use of plastic bags and plastic straws, with more plastic items scheduled to be banned in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 2019 |title=What happened after this nation banned plastic? |url=https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p07l0ftg/what-happened-after-this-nation-banned-plastic- |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107235739/https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p07l0ftg/what-happened-after-this-nation-banned-plastic- |archive-date=7 November 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |work=BBC Reel}}</ref> In 2019, Vanuatu's plastic waste disposal rate was approximately 2,000 [[tonne]]s per year, with the most common items being single-use soft plastic packaging, [[polyethylene terephthalate]] water bottles, and Styrofoam packaging.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2021 |title=Synthesis of Plastic Pollution Policies |url=https://iucn.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/vanuatu-synthesis-plastic-pollution-policies-10.pdf |journal=International Union for Conservation of Nature}}</ref> In 2020, the government banned another seven more 'types' of items, covering cutlery, single-use plates, and [[Artificial plants|artificial flowers]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Prianka |date=2024-06-20 |title=How the small Pacific island nation of Vanuatu drastically cut plastic pollution |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/20/how-the-small-pacific-island-nation-of-vanuatu-drastically-cut-plastic-pollution?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=gnews&utm_campaign=CDAQtJHhi42F09gCGN_I4pKNxtTfvgEqDggAKgYICjCXqnsw37MJ&utm_content=bullets |access-date=2024-11-18 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In 2023, the governments of Vanuatu and other islands vulnerable to climate change ([[Fiji]], [[Niue]], the [[Solomon Islands]], [[Tonga]], and [[Tuvalu]]) launched the "[[Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific]]", calling for the phase-out of [[fossil fuel]]s and the 'rapid and [[just transition]]' to [[renewable energy]] and strengthening [[environmental law]], including introducing the criminalization of [[ecocide]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Six Island Nations Commit to 'Fossil Fuel-Free Pacific,' Demand Global Just Transition |url=https://www.commondreams.org/news/fossil-fuel-free-pacific |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=www.commondreams.org |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616003648/https://www.commondreams.org/news/fossil-fuel-free-pacific |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-22 |title=Port Vila call to phase out fossil fuels |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/486463/port-vila-call-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701175204/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/486463/port-vila-call-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ligaiula |first=Pita |date=2023-03-17 |title=Port Vila call for a just transition to a fossil fuel free Pacific |work=Pacific Islands News Association |url=https://pina.com.fj/2023/03/17/port-vila-call-for-a-just-transition-to-a-fossil-fuel-free-pacific/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |language=en-US |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701175216/https://pina.com.fj/2023/03/17/port-vila-call-for-a-just-transition-to-a-fossil-fuel-free-pacific/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Armed forces ===
{{Further|Law enforcement in Vanuatu}}

There are two police wings: the [[Law enforcement in Vanuatu|Vanuatu Police Force]] (VPF) and the paramilitary wing, the [[Military of Vanuatu|Vanuatu Mobile Force]] (VMF).<ref name="autogenerated3">[http://epress.anu.edu.au/kastom/mobile_devices/ch05s02.html The Vanuatu Police Force] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419164404/http://epress.anu.edu.au/kastom/mobile_devices/ch05s02.html |date=19 April 2012 }}. Epress.anu.edu.au. Retrieved 17 April 2012.</ref> Altogether there were 547 police officers organised into two main police commands: one in Port Vila and one in Luganville.<ref name="autogenerated3"/> In addition to the two command stations there were four secondary police stations and eight police posts. This means that there are many islands with no police presence, and many parts of islands where getting to a police post can take several days.<ref>[http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/vanuatu/vanuatu_military.html Vanuatu Military 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506193609/http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/vanuatu/vanuatu_military.html |date=6 May 2012 }}. theodora.com</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Sentinel-Security-Assessment-Oceania/Armed-forces-Vanuatu.html |title=Armed forces (Vanuatu)&nbsp;– Sentinel Security Assessment&nbsp;– Oceania |publisher=Articles.janes.com |date=3 November 2011 |access-date=12 May 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713083835/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Sentinel-Security-Assessment-Oceania/Armed-forces-Vanuatu.html |archive-date=13 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> There is no purely military expenditure.<ref>[http://www.indexmundi.com/vanuatu/military_profile.html Vanuatu Military Profile 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823080227/http://www.indexmundi.com/vanuatu/military_profile.html |date=23 August 2012 }}. Indexmundi.com (12 July 2011). Retrieved 17 April 2012.</ref> In 2017, Vanuatu signed the UN [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |archive-date=6 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vanuatu wants total ban on nuclear weapons |url=https://dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-wants-total-ban-on-nuclear-weapons/article_cea873a9-fd4d-5e7c-bbc6-d314c8387abe.html |work=Dailypost.vu |date=5 June 2018 |access-date=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219134107/http://dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-wants-total-ban-on-nuclear-weapons/article_cea873a9-fd4d-5e7c-bbc6-d314c8387abe.html |archive-date=19 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
{{Main|Provinces of Vanuatu}}
[[File:Vanuatu Provinces.JPG|thumb|upright=1.35|Provinces of Vanuatu]]

Vanuatu has been divided into six provinces since 1994.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vanuatu |url=https://www.statoids.org/en/vu/admin-levels/l1/map/vanuatu/provinces |website=Statoids |access-date=9 May 2024 |archive-date=9 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509150840/https://www.statoids.org/en/vu/admin-levels/l1/map/vanuatu/provinces |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Profile – Vanuatu |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/vanuatu/ |publisher=CIA |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109132322/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/vanuatu |url-status=dead }}</ref> The names in English of all provinces are derived from the initial letters of their constituent islands:

* [[Malampa Province|Malampa]] ('''Mal'''akula, '''Am'''brym, '''Pa'''ama)
* [[Penama Province|Penama]] ('''Pen'''tecost, '''Am'''bae, '''Ma'''ewo&nbsp;– in French: Pénama)
* [[Sanma Province|Sanma]] ('''San'''to, '''Ma'''lo)
* [[Shefa Province|Shefa]] ('''Sh'''epherds group, '''Efa'''te&nbsp;– in French: Shéfa)
* [[Tafea Province|Tafea]] ('''T'''anna, '''A'''niwa, '''F'''utuna, '''E'''rromango, '''A'''neityum&nbsp;– in French: Taféa)
* [[Torba Province|Torba]] ('''Tor'''res Islands, '''Ba'''nks Islands)

Provinces are autonomous units with their own popularly elected local parliaments known officially as provincial councils.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Local Government System in Vanuatu|url=https://www.clgf.org.uk/default/assets/File/Country_profiles/Vanuatu.pdf|access-date=17 June 2022|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227221214/http://www.clgf.org.uk/default/assets/File/Country_profiles/Vanuatu.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The provinces are in turn divided into municipalities (usually consisting of an individual island) headed by a council and a mayor elected from among the members of the council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vanuatu Councils |url=http://www.statoids.com/yvu.html |website=Statoids |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125100941/http://www.statoids.com/yvu.html |url-status=live }}</ref>