Overview

• The 13-page agreement enshrines New Caledonia as a constitutionally recognized State within France and establishes a distinct Caledonian nationality alongside French citizenship.
• Under the deal New Caledonia gains immediate control over its foreign policy and can hold future public votes on transferring defence, currency, security and justice powers.
• The territorial electoral roll will open to all residents after ten years’ residency, with the first expanded voting pool set for the 2031 provincial elections.
• France has pledged a financial and technical recovery pact to modernize the nickel industry after last year’s unrest inflicted a €2 billion loss and 10 percent GDP drop.
• Key civil society and pro-independence figures have denounced the accord as lacking ambition and a clear mandate, raising uncertainty ahead of its parliamentary vote and February 2026 local referendum.