Australia and Tuvalu sign treaty on migration, climate and security
The agreement, reached at the end of the Pacific Islands Forum, allows Tuvalu nationals facing displacement from climate change to live, work and study in Australia.
Australia and Tuvalu saved the best for last at the Pacific Islands Forum.
Minutes before flying out of the Cook Islands, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Tuvalu counterpart Kausea Natano signed a new treaty which will allow 280 Tuvalu residents to resettle in Australia and a new security agreement.
The Falepili Union — named after a Tuvaluan word for good neighbourliness and mutual respect — will create a new “special pathway” for residents from the low-lying nation facing displacement from climate change.
The treaty also covers climate change assistance which will see Australia assist Tuvalu in land adaptation, as well as security and military assistance with Australia guaranteeing that it will provide assistance in response to a major natural disaster, a pandemic or to military aggression.
