Finland pitches technology, business ties to Vanuatu

Finland is pitching its technology and business expertise as potential solutions for some of Vanuatu’s challenges, including maritime surveillance, disaster response and critical communications, as Ambassador Arto Haapea (AH) seeks closer cooperation during his first visit to the country, in an interview with Kava mo Kajap (KmK) host Mavuku Tokona (MT). MT:Welcome back to another episode of KmK. Today I’m joined by Finland’s Ambassador, Arto Haapea, who is based in Canberra and covers the Pacific island countries. Arto, thank you for coming on the show. AH:Thanks for having me. This is my first time in Vanuatu. You’ve only been on the job for two and a half years, so if you had visited every country around the world, I’d be impressed. MT:So, first time in Vanuatu. Let’s start with security. Off camera we talked about Finland joining NATO. Can you tell us a little about that before we come into the Pacific? AH:NATO for us was a big step. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, we realised the security situation in Europe had profoundly changed, and we had to make our own choices. We had been partnering with NATO for 15 to 20 years before that. Then it was time to say things have changed. We need to be safe and secure, and we need to join NATO.

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Published

27 Sep 2026

Languages

English