Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty

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Tuvalu (/tuːˈvɑːluː/ ⓘ too-VAH-loo) is an island country in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean, about midway between Hawaii and Australia. It lies east-northeast of the Santa Cruz Islands (which belong to the Solomon Islands), northeast of Vanuatu, southeast of Nauru, south of Kiribati, west of Tokelau, northwest of Samoa and Wallis and Futuna, and north of Fiji.

The islands do not have a significant amount of soil, so the country relies heavily on imports and fishing for food. Licensing fishing permits to international companies, grants and aid projects, and remittances to their families from Tuvaluan seafarers who work on cargo ships are important parts of the economy. Because it is a low-lying island nation, Tuvalu is extremely vulnerable to sea level rise due to climate change. It is active in international climate negotiations as part of the Alliance of Small Island States.

To address this crisis of sea level rise, Tuvalu and Australia signed Falepili Union treaty.

The Falepili Union Treaty was signed at last year’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in the Cook Islands, responding to Tuvalu’s request of Australia to help safeguard the future of Tuvalu. The Treaty covers three main areas of collaboration: climate cooperation, mobility with dignity, and shared security.

Since the Treaty was signed in November 2023, both governments have undertaken domestic consultation processes to confirm support for the Falepili Union.

With the treaty now in force, two countries will work together to open our special mobility pathway in 2025. The pathway will enable up to 280 Tuvaluan citizens per year the choice to live, work or study in Australia.

As the relationship between Australia and Tuvalu strengthens, countries are also working closely to deliver on our shared vision of ensuring Tuvaluans can remain in their homeland with enhanced development cooperation, and by building security and prosperity for generations to come.

For the first time ever, Australia is obliged to respond when Tuvalu calls for assistance in the face of a major natural disaster, health pandemic or military aggression. Tuvalu, in turn, will mutually agree any new third-party engagement on defence and security-related matters with Australia.

The Albanese Government has made climate change a central pillar of Australia’s partnerships in the Pacific. In a world-first for a legally binding agreement, the Falepili Union recognises that Tuvalu’s statehood and sovereignty will continue, notwithstanding the impacts of climate change-related sea level rise.

As part of the Falepili Union treaty, Australia:

  1. has recognised for the first time in a legally binding treaty, Tuvalu's continuing statehood and sovereignty, notwithstanding the impact of climate-change related sea-level rise
  2. has committed to assist Tuvalu in response to a major natural disaster, health pandemic or military aggression
  3. will create a special visa pathway to support mobility with dignity, which will enable citizens of Tuvalu to come to Australia to live, work and study.

There are also obligations under the Treaty to ensure Australian interests are protected and to facilitate the smooth operation of the migration pathway and increased security cooperation:

  1. Tuvalu is obliged to ensure its immigration, passport, citizenship and border controls are robust and meet international standards for integrity and security
  2. Tuvalu will mutually agree with Australia any partnership, arrangement or engagement with any other State or entity on security and defence-related matters in Tuvalu.

  1. Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government
  2. Entry into force of historic Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government
  3. Wikipedia
  4. Times of India

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