Australia and Tuvalu to Implement Climate Asylum Visa Program
The leaders of both countries celebrated a ‘groundbreaking arrangement’ according to Tuvalu’s PM, aimed at helping the island combat climate change.
Australia has agreed to provide up to 280 visas annually to individuals from the small Pacific Island of Tuvalu, which is facing the threat of rising sea levels.
The Falepili Union treaty, which will be effective from Aug. 28, will also see Australia funding climate adaptation and development projects.
The low-lying Polynesian state is considered the world’s lowest-lying nation and is at risk due to climate change, as per its government and the United Nations.
During the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tonga, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in one of his initial actions, is scheduled to meet with Tuvaluan counterpart Feleti Teo.
“This is a ground-breaking arrangement in terms of foreign relations,” he stated.
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The treaty also includes a security aspect, with Australia pledging to assist Tuvalu in defense or security-related issues.
“Australia will be legally bound to aid Tuvalu during a significant national catastrophe or a major health crisis, in addition to offering security assurances,” Teo explained.
Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Feleti Teo talks after a swearing-in ceremony in Funafuti, the capital of the south Pacific nation of Tuvalu, on Feb. 28, 2024. Sam Pedro/AFP via Getty Images
Given Tuvalu’s population of 10,000 people, the migration opportunity implies that if climate change impacts materialize, the entire population could potentially move to Australia by mid-century.
However, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu doubts this scenario.
“I believe most Tuvaluans will choose to remain,” Teo shared.
“For those Tuvaluans living in Australia, they will have the chance to access the benefits that the Australian system and government provide to permanent residents.”
Since its announcement, the Falepili Union has faced criticism from both external and internal sources in Tuvalu.
Former Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga argued that it compromised the country’s sovereignty and was specifically concerned about Australia potentially gaining control over Tuvalu’s fishing rights and national security within its EEZ and territorial waters.
“The sovereign and independent Nation of Tuvalu should not be used as ‘guinea pigs’ in the power play between major powers in the Pacific,” Sopoaga stated.
Albanese countered these concerns by highlighting that the agreement was negotiated and signed at the request of Tuvalu.
“We acknowledge that the climate crisis poses the most significant threat to the livelihoods, security, and welfare of Pacific people,” he expressed in Rarotonga in 2023.
“We have listened to the needs of our Pacific neighbors and are committed to addressing shared challenges in collaboration with Forum members.”
Aug. 28 marks Albanese’s first full day in Nuku’alofa, having skipped the initial days of the Forum, but arriving in time for discussions on the future of New Caledonia.
Moving forward, Tuvalu will advocate for support for a statement in the summit communique condemning rising sea levels.
“Rising sea levels are the most severe consequence of climate change, and we must address this issue directly,” Teo asserted, mentioning that Australia had tentatively backed the motion.
“I hope that during the retreat, we can persuade other foreign leaders to support a strong statement from Tonga, specifically addressing rising sea levels,” he added.
AAP contributed to this story.
