Tuvalu is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world due to sea level rise.
Australia offers climate asylum to all residents of the island nation of Tuvalu, the Prime Ministers of the countries Anthony Albanese and Season Natano announced today, Friday.
The agreement reached between the two countries guarantees the residents of Tuvalu special rights to live and work in Australia. In addition, Australia is committed to defending Tuvalu against foreign attacks and natural disasters.
– We believe that the people of Tuvalu deserve the right to choose to live, study and work elsewhere if climate conditions deteriorate, the joint statement read.
– Australia is committed to offering Tuvalu residents a special route to Australia and Australian services.
“This provides a lifeline”
Expert in refugee law Jane McAdam describes the agreement as groundbreaking.
– This is the first agreement that specifically deals with climate-related mobility, a professor at the University of New South Wales told AFP.
– Most people do not want to leave their homes, because they have very deep ties to their land and sea through their ancestors. But this provides a lifeline, McAdam reckons.
However, it has also been recognized that the measures have not come quickly enough, as the effects of climate change are clearly visible in Tuvalu already.
The island nation located in the Pacific Ocean has approximately 11,000 inhabitants. Tuvalu consists of nine small atolls, two of which are already largely submerged under water. Tuvalu is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world due to sea level rise.
Climate scientists fear that in 80 years Tuvalu will no longer be habitable.
There is competition for influence in the region
Australia’s economic dependence on coal and gas exports has long caused friction between Australia and the Pacific island nations.
The agreement signed between Tuvalu and Australia can be considered a significant strategic victory for Australia, which competes with China to increase its influence in the Pacific region. Although the Solomon Islands and Kiribati have opened diplomatic relations with China in recent years, Tuvalu has remained a staunch supporter of Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan an overseas province and does not allow diplomatic relations with both Taiwan and China at the same time.
According to the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Natano, the agreement signed with Australia is a great leap forward in the pursuit of regional stability.