Albanese Flies to Vanuatu as Signing of $500 Million Deal Draws Closer

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Vanuatu as talks progress on a $500 million economic and security deal.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Lukas Coch/AAP Image via AP

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will fly to Vanuatu to meet with the island nation’s leader Jotham Napat as negotiations around a $500 million (US$335 million) pact between the two are hashed out.

The visit comes prior to Albanese travelling to the Pacific Islands Forum in the Solomon Islands, and it will be the first time the leader has flown to Vanuatu as prime minister.