One of Vanuatu's former colonial masters, the United Kingdom, has posted a high commissioner in Port Vila for the first time in 15 years.
Karen Bell presented her credentials to Vanuatu President Talis Obed Moses this week.
Bell was welcomed this week by the first all women guard of honour.
The Daily Post newspaper reports that in a number of requests to the foreign diplomat, President Moses, asked her to support Vanuatu's application to have West Papua added to the United Nations' Decolonisation List.
Bell is a career diplomat with over 30 years of experience across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North America.
Prior to her appointment in Vanuatu, Bell was the British Consul General in Houston where she was responsible for leading the UK’s engagement in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico.
Photo Twitter/Karen Bell