Nouméa Accord

The Nouméa Accord (French: Accord de Nouméa) of 1998 is a promise by the French Republic to grant increased political power to New Caledonia and its indigenous population, the Kanaks, over a twenty-year transition period. It was signed 5 May 1998 by Lionel Jospin, and approved in a referendum in New Caledonia on 8 November, with 72% voting in favour. Under the accord, three more referendum votes, on whether to remain a special collectivity of France or become an independent state, have been held.

The first referendum was held in 2018, and the second was held in 2020. In both votes, a majority chose to remain French. The Nouméa Accord permitted a final referendum to be held, voted for by the Congress of New Caledonia. It was held December 2021 and widely rejected independence amid boycott by the independence movement.

Named after New Caledonia's capital and largest city, the Nouméa Accord was the second accord, following the Matignon Agreements (1988). Under the Nouméa Accord, France continues to control the military, foreign policy, immigration, police, and currency.

Under the conditions of the agreement, the Vice President of New Caledonia must be a pro-independence politician if the Presidency is held by an anti-independence politician.