'Developed' country status

Vanuatu PM says country will be classed as 'developed' by year end

This was announced by Prime Minister Bob Loughman during his official independence anniversary speech on Thursday.

Loughman said the United Nations process had been delayed three times but his government had now decided it would be included on the list of developed countries by the end of the year.

He said that despite economic challenges, Vanuatu would graduate from Least Developed Country to such status on 4 December.