Port Vila | November 10, 2025 — In a landmark session of the Parliament of Vanuatu, members have unanimously passed the Digital Transformation Bill after thorough scrutiny and a clause-by-clause committee session held earlier today. The bill marks a major milestone for the country’s digital evolution, solidifying Vanuatu’s commitment to secure, inclusive, and modern digital governance.

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What’s in the Bill?

The Digital Transformation Bill is a comprehensive legislative framework that:

• Establishes CERTVU (Cyber Emergency Response Team Vanuatu) as the key agency for cybersecurity and digital threat response;
• Provides legal powers to prosecute online abuse, harmful digital communications, and cyberbullying;
• Formalizes structures for data protection, digital service delivery, and responsible digital governance;
• Sets out protocols for digital identity, ICT infrastructure, and capacity-building in the public sector;
• Introduces mechanisms to safeguard national ICT systems, including provisions for emergency takedowns and coordination with law enforcement.

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Clause-by-Clause Approval

During the committee stage, all divisions of the bill—ranging from Part 1 (Preliminary) to Part 5 (Miscellaneous)—were reviewed and approved without objection. The committee also made amendments to strengthen:

• Section 9 – Composition of advisory committees;
• Section 10 – Collaboration with international cyber agencies;
• Section 12 – Role of digital innovation in local economic development.

Members emphasized the importance of adaptability and enforcement power in a fast-evolving digital age.

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Key Statements from the Floor

• Deputy Prime Minister: “This bill is about building trust in digital services for our people and our future.”
• Opposition Spokesperson: “We support the vision. Let’s make sure we also have budget support and training across ministries.”
• Speaker of Parliament: “The committee stage was thorough, and the outcome shows unity in shaping Vanuatu’s digital era.”

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What Happens Next?

Now that the bill has passed the parliamentary process:

1. Certification and Publication: It will be certified by the Speaker and gazetted officially.
2. Institutional Setup: CERTVU and supporting regulatory frameworks will be scaled up.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Expect community outreach on digital safety, reporting channels, and user rights.
4. Policy Alignment: Other acts and policies will be reviewed to align with the new digital governance approach.

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Why It Matters

This new law equips Vanuatu with the legal foundation to tackle challenges in cybersecurity, misinformation, and online abuse—while also encouraging responsible innovation and inclusive digital growth.

As one MP noted:

“We are building a safe digital bridge for the next generation — not just catching up with the world, but shaping how technology serves our people.”