Strengthening Pacific partnership in re-opening of borders

May 23, 2022

Check-in counters at the Nadi International Airport (Photo: UNDP)


Suva, Fiji – In a demonstration of Pacific solidarity and knowledge sharing, representatives from the Government of Fiji met with representatives from the Government of Vanuatu in a virtual consultation organized by United Nations Developed Programme (UNDP) under the Pacific Integrated Border Management Project funded by the Government of Japan.  

The Government of Vanuatu recently announced its plans to reopen borders in July 2022 and given the recent experience of the Fijian Government in the successful re-opening of its borders, this meeting connects the national border management agencies in both countries for sharing practices and lessons for the safe re-opening, while addressing the risks related to COVID-19. This video bridge is one of the first regional 'hands-on' knowledge sharing and transfer events on integrated border management to be supported by UNDP in the coming years.    

"The video bridge is all about sharing the policies that worked so our counterparts can plan and prepare for the future. Fiji is one of the first countries in the region to open its borders after successfully reaching high vaccination rates. Through strong inter-governmental coordination, we were able to prepare the conditions for opening our borders and welcome international travellers to the country. We are happy to share our experiences with the Pacific family," said Mr. Joji Washington, Senior Defence Adviser of the Fiji Ministry of Defence.

Tourism is a rapidly growing sector in Vanuatu with visitors from Australia, New Zealand and the rest of the Pacific lining up to experience Ni-Van hospitality. Before COVID-19, tourism was estimated to have contributed more than 40 percent of the nation’s GDP.

Fiji Government Border Agencies bridge call to Vanuatu Government Border Agencies. (Photo: UNDP)

Government of Vanuatu Border Agencies during the bridge call with Fiji Government Border Agencies (Photo: UNDP).


This reality led Collins Gesa, the Vanuatu Border Management focal point, to express gratitude to, "Our big brothers in Fiji for shared insights on protocols for re-opening of borders."

The video bridge was a great platform to, "share ideas on policies related to mandatory quarantine, pre- and post-COVID-19 testing and the overall management of the flow of visitors." Fiji and Vanuatu rely heavily on tourism so its beneficial to coordinate and 'contextualise' what works so Vanuatu can meet standards.

Concerted efforts are underway by Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health to stop the spread of misinformation around COVID-19 in order to reach vaccination targets before the re-opening of borders. Director of Corporate Services, Policy and Planning for the Ministry of Health, Dr. Samuel Posikai spoke on the community awareness initiatives that were underway with appropriate messages on COVID-19.

"MoH had developed a national road map to safe recovery on COVID-19 for safe transition to new normal in Vanuatu. The road map proposes a phased approach to 'a new normal', which entails incremental reduction of restrictions and a gradual opening of boarders. This exchange with Fiji can help us to explore different methods used to promote the vaccine roll out and achieve the same rates that were done in Fiji," said Dr. Posikai. 

Vanuatu will keep entry requirements for both returning residents and visitors in a bid to protect outer island communities. Mr. Olivier Napuat highlighted that the Immigration Department will be working closely with the Ministry of Health in providing information so that decisions can be made for entry requirements. As per the Ministry of Health, these requirements will include being fully vaccinated, pre-departure tests and testing on arrival.

The Acting Senior Visa Officer, Department of Immigration emphasised, "Teamwork between all agencies is required at every step of the process to enforce these requirements and mitigate the risk of community transmission."

The phased approach to re-opening means, "We can test our systems readiness and adjust the various protocols where needed."

This is the approach adopted in Fiji as Mr. James Lave explained how various ministries came together to set up the border health protection unit and "Implement protocols through a whole of government approach."

The first phase of border re-opening in Vanuatu will be limited to approved countries only with caps applied. Despite this, the airports must be ready to receive the stream of visitors and prepare for scenarios such as COVID-19 positive upon arrival.

"It’s all about making travel as safe, secure, and seamless as possible in a new operating environment," said Mr. Jason Rakau, CEO of Vanuatu Airports Limited. The Airports Authority is working, "Tirelessly to ensure that airports infrastructure is up to standard with all COVID-19 travel requirements and customer experience."

UNDP Pacific Integrated Border Management Project Team site visit to Airport Fiji Limited facilities at Nadi International Airport (Photo: UNDP).

UNDP Pacific Integrated Border Management Project Team site visit to Airport Fiji Limited facilities at Nadi International Airport (Photo: UNDP).


Vanuatu’s safe business operations initiative encourages all businesses to undertake a training course that will help them tailor COVID-19 safe measures specific to respective business operations. Like Fiji had done, Vanuatu’s tourism operators will be preparing eagerly for the new wave of visitors that will help revive business steaming from local handicraft sellers to hoteliers alike.

Realising the importance of business continuity led Ms. Sonal Sharma to share initiatives that were implemented by the Ministry of Commerce Trade, Tourism and Transport that assisted Fijians to continue economic opportunities during the pandemic.

The Principal Advisor shared ideas on how businesses can, "Receive certification to re-open whilst maintaining safety standards to mitigate risk to customers".

The plans for re-opening any business must be, "Simple, easy to understand and manageable for employers and employees alike. Government needs to continue to build a good relationship with the private sector for these protocols to be implemented successfully."

Regionalism is alive and well in the Pacific – it’s great to see how open, comfortable, and welcoming government representatives from Fiji and Vanuatu were to share ideas that will help lift the Pacific back to its feet after being knocked down by COVID-19.

Mr. Rustam Pulatov, UNDP Pacific Integrated Border Management Project Manager emphasised, "Achieving intergovernmental collaboration by learning from the experiences that were faced in Fiji will hopefully place Vanuatu in a better position by having access to learnings from one of its closest neighbours."

The online meeting included representatives spanning from the Ministries of Defence, Health, Immigration, Customs, Commerce Trade and Tourism and law enforcement. During the meeting, officials also shared plans that were in place to procure technological software that would look at easing congestions and smoothening procedures for processing of passengers.

Further plans are underway by UNDP for the Government of Fiji to continue its sharing initiative to other implementing countries across the region.

For media queries, please contact:

Rustam Pulatov, Pacific Integrated Border Management Project Manager, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Email: rustam.pulatov@undp.org