The Vanuatu Bureau of Standards (VBS) is participating in the ISO Annual Meeting in Paris, bringing Vanuatu's priorities into international discussions on trade, artificial intelligence, climate resilience and the future of standards.

Hosted by AFNOR, France's national standards body, the meeting runs from 28 September to 2 October under the theme "Building trust in a changing world." It brings together the international standards community, policymakers and industry representatives to examine how standards can support responsible innovation and stronger economies.

Strengthening a longstanding partnership

A major outcome of VBS's participation is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Standards Australia, strengthening a longstanding relationship that has supported the development of standards in Vanuatu.

The partnership has contributed to building national technical capacity and promoting clearer, more consistent requirements for businesses. These efforts help create a fairer playing field for local producers and strengthen confidence in Vanuatu's products.

The agreement provides a platform for further cooperation on national priorities, including building code requirements, kava and timber standards, and other standards supporting trade and industry development. Work in these areas can improve product quality, support safer construction and help businesses understand and meet the requirements of their markets.

Turning standards into market opportunities

For Vanuatu, standards have a direct connection to economic opportunity. Farmers, processors and exporters need reliable systems that demonstrate the quality, safety and consistency of their products.

Vanuatu's developing export pathways to Australia illustrate the importance of this work. Standards, supported by testing, inspection, certification and compliance with biosecurity requirements, help producers meet buyer expectations and build confidence across the supply chain.

Closer cooperation with Standards Australia can strengthen this foundation by improving access to technical expertise and supporting the alignment of relevant national standards with international practice. This can help reduce unnecessary technical barriers to trade and give Vanuatu businesses a stronger basis on which to compete.

The benefits also extend to the domestic market, where consistent standards support consumer protection, fair competition and confidence in locally produced goods.

Preparing Vanuatu for the AI economy

Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are prominent themes at the Paris meeting, alongside trade, development and environmental resilience. These discussions matter for small developing economies seeking to benefit from technological change.

The World Bank's World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence recommends an "adopt, adapt, and advance" approach. It places particular emphasis on adapting existing AI tools to local languages, institutions, data and development needs, while progressively strengthening skills and infrastructure. The report also identifies voluntary standards as a starting point for trustworthy AI governance.

For Vanuatu, this offers a practical direction: use available technology, adapt it to national realities and build the capacity to innovate. Potential applications include agricultural advice, product traceability, access to standards information and more efficient public services.

Standards can help guide these opportunities by supporting reliable systems, responsible data use and confidence in new technologies. Participation in international discussions gives Vanuatu an opportunity to contribute its needs and learn from partners as these frameworks develop.

Bringing international cooperation home

VBS's participation in Paris connects global discussions with practical priorities at home: stronger export pathways, safer buildings, improved product standards and greater readiness for technological change.

The MoU with Standards Australia marks a further step in that work. By building on established cooperation and focusing on national needs, Vanuatu can strengthen the systems that help its producers compete, protect its consumers and turn innovation into wider economic opportunity.