Vanuatu has been in the past till present, of interest to many researchers, both locally and foreign that have done various scientific researchers to discover and explain the wonders of the islands in the different interest of scientific researches related it's biodiversity.

Vanuatu Island biodiversity may seems very little significance to the global coverage, it is recognised to be one of the 5 oceanic countries important for their wealth of biodiversity along with Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa and Solomon Is. Vanuatu has less overall diversity than countries to the North and New Caledonia, yet has higher diversity than many easterly Pacific Island countries.
Biogeographically, Vanuatu is an internationally significant region. It is recognised as a Priority 1 Endemic Bird Area. It has been highlighted for the high diversity of some invertebrates taxa as being of an island nature. It is within the limit range of important species.
As young geological chain of islands, Vanuatu remains a subject to ongoing natural immigration, extension of ranges and subspeciation and is of interest for these processes. This has been well recognised for several group of plants and animals including indigenous agricultural crops (kava, yams, taro), orchids, ferns, mangroves, and a wide range of invertebrates groups. On the other hand, being young tropical islands they are also vulnerable to range of threats. The dynamic changes are often hindered by natural disasters cyclones, volcanism, tectonic movements and human induced threats such as large clearance of natural vegetation in the process of development; introduction of diseases, pests and weeds; over harvesting of resources from the wild etc.

Responsibility for Research in Vanuatu
The office of the Vanuatu Environment Unit in collaboration with other national Natural Resources sectors has the primary responsibilities for the implementation of environmental policies for the protection and conservation of the Vanuatu biological resources including the indigenous Ni-Vanuatu, not excluding their genetic resources. The Vanuatu Environment Unit in collaboration with other is responsible for scientific related research in Vanuatu provided under the draft environmental Bill??.

Research application
Any person wanting to undertake research on Vanuatu Biodiversity must apply to the HEAD of the Vanuatu Environment Unit, Mr Ernest Bani.( See Application Form )

HEAD of Environment Unit Contact: Mr Ernest Bani,
Environment Unit,
Private Mail Bag 063,
Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Tel: 678 25302, FAX 678 23565, Email environ@vanuatu.com.vu

Approval of Research
All research proposals must receive the approval from both the Vanuatu Environment on behalf of the Government and the local community concern. The researcher and the Vanuatu Environment Unit has to ensure that there is PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT on the nature of the research at all level of communities (research related national institutions, provincial authorities and local communities) as one prerequisite to giving approval to the proposal.

Fees/Guarantees
An authorisation and access fee of VT50,000 (vatu) equivalent to US$300.00 must be paid by the researcher once the research proposal/application has been approved. When research involves more than one visit, and this is stated clearly stated in the Research agreement, a fee of 50,000 VT (US$300.00) is to be paid on each subsequent visit after the first. All funds received from the research will assist the Vanuatu Environment Unit mainly to cover all costs incurs in the setting up and implementation of the research venture.

Signification of approval
The signing of the Research agreement "Code of ethics" signifies the approval of the research proposal by the researcher and the HEAD of Environment Unit on behalf of the Vanuatu government.
Code of ethics

Accessibility of products of research
Translation of publication on information gathered from the research will be in a language for educational information and general use to all citizens, most preferable in English. Researcher is required to submit preliminary summary of finding immediately after the research fieldwork period has ended. The researcher will make sure that copies of the formal reports of not less than 2000 words made available to Vanuatu no later than 24 months.

Export of research materials
If required that materials samples collected during the research need to be taken out of Vanuatu, the researcher must observe.

Vanuatu quarantine export requirement formalities
Import country quarantine requirement formalities.( click here to read )

If CITES permit required for export of CITES species including all Vanuatu endemic and rare species, CITES certificate can be obtained from the HEAD of the Environment Unit office.