Tuvaluans facing climate threats will be granted “special rights” to reside and work in Australia, as outlined in a groundbreaking treaty disclosed by the two nations on Friday.
The compact, introduced by Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Kausea Natano, includes freedom of movement and defense assurances, aiming to address climate change concerns while preparing for potential crises. The treaty also commits Australia to defend Tuvalu in the event of foreign invasion or natural disasters.
Tuvalu, with a population of 11,000, is highly vulnerable due to rising sea levels, with two of its nine atolls already submerged. Climate scientists project the entire archipelago to be uninhabitable within 80 years.
The Australia-Tuvalu treaty aims to enable Tuvaluans to flourish in their homeland, preserving ancestral connections to land and sea. Recognizing the urgency of climate action, the pact acknowledges the people’s right to live, study, and work elsewhere as climate change impacts worsen. Australia commits to providing a special pathway for Tuvalu citizens to come to Australia, ensuring access to services for dignified human mobility.
Australia’s economic reliance on coal and gas exports has strained relations with Pacific neighbors facing severe costs from climate change. The treaty, seen as a strategic victory for Australia in competition with China for influence in the Pacific, offers Tuvalu a unique status amid diplomatic shifts in the region.
Prime Minister Natano hailed the treaty as a “beacon of hope” and a “giant leap forward” for regional stability. The pact requires ratification by both countries before taking effect.
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