Prime Minister Charlot Salwai met UN Under Secretary General, Her Excellency Fekitamoeloa Katoa Utoikamanu from Tonga.
Vanuatu congratulated her Excellency for being appointment which is a great achievement for the Pacific.
H.E. Utoikamanu among other things is responsible for LDCs and SIDS.
She noted that her office advocates for LDCs and SIDS at the highest level to ensure that they remain at the top of the international priority in terms of Financing assistance and support for the implementation of the SDGs, Samoa Pathway and Istanbul Program of Action.
PM Salwai noted that Vanuatu is preparing itself for the eventual graduation from LDC status in 2020.
It has established a National Committee to oversee the graduation and transition process.
Vanuatu is also implementing reforms and infrastructure projects which are in line with the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the LDC Istanbul Program of Action (IPOA) as part of its preparation.
Vanuatu faces the challenge of natural disasters and vulnerability to climate change.
He noted that this is an area that the UN should focus its attention on - especially on adaptation and mitigation measures.
Mr Salwai further cautioned the criteria used for deciding on graduation because of the vulnerability issue and unfair distribution of resources including income levels which still existed in countries like Vanuatu.
In response the UN Under Secretary noted that her office is working with a number of development partners especially the World Bank and UNDP on issues of vulnerability in particular, impact on SIDS.
Her office is engaging with development partners including UN Agencies to ensure smooth transition of LDC graduation, stressing that arrangements need to be put in place to ease graduation transition.
Mr Salwai went on to thank Vanuatu for agreeing to co-host the LDC Asia Pacific Meeting on ICT and Broadband in Port Vila in October.
The Hon. PM responded by noting that Vanuatu is gearing up for this and looks forward to the broadband report on Vanuatu.
The committee tasked to oversee preparations will be liaising with her office through the Vanuatu mission in New York to ensure that Vanuatu obligations are met.