2021 in Vanuatu
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{{Year in region|year=2021|region=Vanuatu|error=Template:Year in Vanuatu: Parameter 1=year required!|image=Flag of Vanuatu.svg|image_size=90px|see_also=* Other events of 2021
Incumbents
Events
- January 29 – A Vanuatu patrol boat detains two Chinese fishing vessels near the Torres Islands in the Coral Sea for suspected illegal fishing.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-25 |title=Chinese vessels detained by Vanuatu, accused of fishing illegally |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/26/chinese-vessels-detained-by-vanuatu-accused-of-fishing-illegally |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}
- April 18 – Vanuatu halts outbound travel out of its main island of Efate following the confirmation of a COVID-19 case. Prime Minister Bob Loughman confirms that a Filipino fisherman whose body washed ashore last week near the capital of Port Vila had died of the disease.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-18 |title=Vanuatu's main island halts outward travel after Covid discovery |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/440739/vanuatu-s-main-island-halts-outward-travel-after-covid-discovery |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
- June 1 – The Vanuatuan opposition files a no-confidence motion against the government of Prime Minister Bob Loughman over allegations of excessive spending for self-interest in times of national crisis. The country's economy has been severely impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of Cyclone Harold last year. This motion is the first attempt to oust Loughman since he formed a government last year.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-01 |title=No confidence motion filed against Vanuatu government |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/443791/no-confidence-motion-filed-against-vanuatu-government |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
- June 8 – Gracia Shadrack, Vanuatu's speaker, declares that the seats of the prime minister Bob Loughman, the deputy prime minister, and 16 other MPs are vacant after they boycott parliament for three days.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-08 |title=Legal challenge looms after Vanuatu speaker declares most govt seats vacant |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/444254/legal-challenge-looms-after-vanuatu-speaker-declares-most-govt-seats-vacant |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
- June 9 – Supreme Court of Vanuatu Justice Oliver Saksak places a stay on speaker Gracia Shadrack's vacation of 18 seats of parliament until a court can formally consider the dispute.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-09 |title=Judge stays Vanuatu Speaker's move |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/444381/judge-stays-vanuatu-speaker-s-move |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
- June 29 – Prime Minister Bob Loughman wins a confidence vote by the parliament after a no-confidence motion had been introduced to remove his government by opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu. However, Loughman's hold on power remains tenuous as the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the seats of 19 government MPs were to be declared vacant. Loughman's government has already appealed the ruling.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-29 |title=Vanuatu PM wins confidence vote |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/445732/vanuatu-pm-wins-confidence-vote |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
- August 9 – Vanuatu's health authorities warn citizens about the transmission of dengue fever after 18 cases are reported in Port Vila. Authorities urge all residents to take precautionary measures.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-11 |title=Vanuatu hospital reports 18 dengue cases |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/448971/vanuatu-hospital-reports-18-dengue-cases |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
- August 12 – Vanuatu stops the sale of its citizenship and revokes the citizenship it gave last April to a Syrian national for US$130,000.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-12 |title=Vanuatu sells citizenship in April - takes it away in August |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/449063/vanuatu-sells-citizenship-in-april-takes-it-away-in-august |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
- September 3 – The president of Vanuatu, Obed Moses Tallis, pardons former prime ministers Charlot Salwai, Joe Natuman and Serge Vohor, all of whom were convicted of political and financial crimes, including bribery and corruption.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-03 |title=Vanuatu president pardons three former PMs |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/450671/vanuatu-president-pardons-three-former-pms |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
- September 25 – Vanuatu launches a global campaign to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Vanuatu bases its decision on being incapable with its own decisions to address rising sea levels and other challenges linked to climate change and wants the ICJ to establish responsibilities for climate change under international law.{{Cite web |title=Vanuatu to push international court for climate change action |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/25/vanuatu-to-push-international-court-for-climate-change-opinion |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=www.aljazeera.com |date=25 Sep 2021|language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Zraick |first1=Karen |title=What to Know About a Landmark Court Case |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/climate/icj-climate-case-hague.html |access-date=6 February 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=5 December 2024}}
- November 8 – Vanuatuan prime minister Bob Loughman confirms that two Vanuatuan citizens who were repatriated from New Caledonia have the Delta variant and urges residents to get vaccinated.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-08 |title=Vanuatu confirms Covid-cases have delta variant |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/455211/vanuatu-confirms-covid-cases-have-delta-variant |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
Sports
References
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