Latest news with #FalepiliUnionTreaty
WIRED
5 days ago
- Politics
- WIRED
The First Planned Migration of an Entire Country Is Underway
Jul 25, 2025 5:00 AM The Pacific island nation of Tuvalu could be submerged in 25 years due to rising sea levels, so a plan is being implemented to relocate its population to Australia. Photograph:All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Tuvalu is preparing to carry out the first planned migration of an entire country in response to the effects of climate change. Recent studies project that much of its territory could be submerged in the next 25 years due to rising sea levels, forcing its inhabitants to consider migration as an urgent survival measure. This island nation in Oceania is made up of nine coral islands and atolls inhabited by just over 11,000 people. The country's average altitude is just 2 meters above sea level, making it extremely vulnerable to rising oceans, flooding, and storm surges, all exacerbated by the climate crisis. A study by NASA's Sea Level Change Team revealed that, in 2023, the sea level in Tuvalu was 15 centimeters higher than the average recorded over the previous three decades. If this trend continues, it's projected that most of the territory, including its critical infrastructure, will be below the high-tide level by 2050. In the face of this existential threat, an unprecedented climate visa program has begun. In 2023, Tuvalu and Australia signed the Falepili Union Treaty, an agreement that provides for a migration scheme that will allow 280 Tuvaluans per year to settle in Australia as permanent residents. The visas will be allocated through a ballot system and will grant beneficiaries the same health, education, housing, and employment rights enjoyed by Australian citizens. In addition, Tuvaluans will retain the ability to return to their home country if conditions permit. The first stage of applications was open from June 16 to July 18. 'We received extremely high levels of interest in the ballot with 8,750 registrations, which includes family members of primary registrants,' the Australian High Commission in Tuvalu said in a statement on July 23. The first cohort of 280 people will be drawn via a ballot on July 25, the high commission says. Residents take shelter as floodwaters move inland on the island of Tuvalu, March 14, 2015. Photograph: Getty Images 'When combined with other Pacific pathways to Australia and New Zealand, nearly 4 percent of the population could migrate each year,' says Jane McAdam, a fellow at the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at UNSW Sydney, writing in the Conversation. 'Within a decade, close to 40 percent of the population could have moved—although some people may return home or go backwards and forwards.' Penny Wong, Australia's foreign minister, said in a statement that the program gives Tuvaluans a chance to settle in Australia 'with dignity as climate impacts worsen.' She added that this initiative reflects the deep trust between the two nations and that Tuvaluans are expected to make a valuable contribution to Australian society. Feleti Teo, prime minister of Tuvalu, called for the support of the international community during his address to the Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, in June. 'Tuvalu calls for the development of an international treaty on sea level rise to enshrine the legal rights of affected states and people, including the principles of statehood continuity and the permanency of maritime boundaries,' Teo said. The Tuvalu prime minister also said that his country supports the idea of a Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty with 'the ultimatum of a rapid, fair and irreversible phase out of fossil fuels across all sectors.' The agreement with Australia is not the only action taken by Tuvalu in the face of the threat of disappearing. In 2022, the country launched an ambitious strategy to become the world's first digital nation. This initiative includes 3D scanning its islands to digitally re-create them and preserve their cultural heritage, as well as moving government functions to a virtual environment. In order to protect national identity and sovereignty, the project is also contemplating constitutional reforms to define the country as a virtual state, a concept already recognized by 25 countries, including Australia and New Zealand. What is happening to Tuvalu could be experienced by other nations. NASA has found that global sea levels rose more than expected over the last year. Its satellite measurements reveal that the annual rate of increase has doubled since 1993, with a rise of 10 centimeters in that period. Pacific islands are particularly vulnerable to rising seas, although the impacts are not limited to that region. For example, sea levels in the Gulf of Mexico have recently risen at three times the global average, according to a study published in Nature in 2023. Albert van Dijk, professor at Australian National University, has emphasized that climate change is affecting all the planet's water systems. 'From historic droughts to catastrophic floods, these extreme variations disrupt lives, economies and entire ecosystems. Water is our most vital resource, and its extreme behavior represents one of the greatest threats today.' This story originally appeared on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.
The Age
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Four in five Tuvaluans apply to move to Australia. Frayzel is among them
The great climate migration of the 21st century has begun, with 80 per cent of the population of tiny Tuvalu entering a lottery to migrate to Australia. Midnight on Friday was the deadline for the Pacific island nation's 10,643 citizens to enter a ballot for a permanent residency visa. As of Friday afternoon, 8074 people in 2278 family groups had applied, in what the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade called 'an incredibly positive uptake'. Just 280 places are available in the first year. The Tuvalu figures are on top of the 56,000 people from other Pacific nations who applied for 3000 places in the broader ballot for the Pacific engagement visa last year. The next round is due to open soon. One of the applicants in the Tuvaluan lottery is Frayzel Uale, 18, who moved to Melbourne four years ago with his family when his mother came on a student visa. Uale, who is working a packing job while studying information technology, remembers his homeland as 'peaceful and joyful' and still feels connected to his culture, but he doesn't see a future for himself in Tuvalu. 'There are more opportunities here,' Uale said. 'I hear stories from Tuvalu about how the weather's been changing a lot lately, with king tides going up, the streets are sometimes covered in water, and erosion is happening everywhere. Tuvalu has contributed so little to climate change, but we are one of the most affected countries.' Tuvalu is a low-lying atoll nation, like Kiribati and the Marshall Islands in the Pacific and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, facing an imminent existential threat as sea levels rise. Loading The visa is part of the Falepili Union Treaty, which also includes a security pact and climate mitigation to support Tuvaluans to stay in their homeland. DFAT says that in 2025-26, an estimated $47 million in development support will contribute to important climate adaptation, telecommunications, infrastructure, health and education projects in Tuvalu.
Sydney Morning Herald
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Four in five Tuvaluans apply to move to Australia. Frayzel is among them
The great climate migration of the 21st century has begun, with 80 per cent of the population of tiny Tuvalu entering a lottery to migrate to Australia. Midnight on Friday was the deadline for the Pacific island nation's 10,643 citizens to enter a ballot for a permanent residency visa. As of Friday afternoon, 8074 people in 2278 family groups had applied, in what the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade called 'an incredibly positive uptake'. Just 280 places are available in the first year. The Tuvalu figures are on top of the 56,000 people from other Pacific nations who applied for 3000 places in the broader ballot for the Pacific engagement visa last year. The next round is due to open soon. One of the applicants in the Tuvaluan lottery is Frayzel Uale, 18, who moved to Melbourne four years ago with his family when his mother came on a student visa. Uale, who is working a packing job while studying information technology, remembers his homeland as 'peaceful and joyful' and still feels connected to his culture, but he doesn't see a future for himself in Tuvalu. 'There are more opportunities here,' Uale said. 'I hear stories from Tuvalu about how the weather's been changing a lot lately, with king tides going up, the streets are sometimes covered in water, and erosion is happening everywhere. Tuvalu has contributed so little to climate change, but we are one of the most affected countries.' Tuvalu is a low-lying atoll nation, like Kiribati and the Marshall Islands in the Pacific and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, facing an imminent existential threat as sea levels rise. Loading The visa is part of the Falepili Union Treaty, which also includes a security pact and climate mitigation to support Tuvaluans to stay in their homeland. DFAT says that in 2025-26, an estimated $47 million in development support will contribute to important climate adaptation, telecommunications, infrastructure, health and education projects in Tuvalu.
News18
11-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Why A Sinking Tiny South Pacific Nation Wants An Australian Climate Change Visa
Under the Falepili Union Treaty, 280 Tuvaluans will be chosen every year through a secret ballot to move to Australia. Climate change, a sad reality, is affecting some nations more than others. One such country is Tuvalu, which consists of nine small coral islands. It is currently facing an uncertain future, with the threat of becoming uninhabitable in the coming years. The fear of erasure has led almost one-third of the 10,000 inhabitants of Tuvalu to leave their country and move to Australia. Being extremely vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels, Tuvalu is expected to be fully submerged underwater by 2050. Almost half its population currently resides in the capital city, Funafuti, which consists of a thin strip of land stretching between a vast lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. Tuvalu's call for help was heard by Australia, which responded in November 2023 with an agreement to support its citizens. The Falepili Union Treaty, as it is known, was signed to facilitate the movement of Tuvalu citizens in a systematic manner. As the treaty comes into force this year after months of consultations, it has eased mobility for citizens of Tuvalu to move to and from Australia. Explaining the details of the Falepili Union Treaty, a DW report stated that a secret ballot will be held every year, selecting 280 people over the age of 18 to move to Australia under the climate visa. Only those who hold a Tuvaluan passport and were either born in Tuvalu or have a parent or grandparent born there will be allowed to participate in the ballot. What is a climate visa? Moreover, while Australian visas usually exclude people with disabilities, chronic health conditions, or special needs, the climate visa exempts Tuvalu citizens from such terms. Given the uncertain times, over 3,000 Tuvaluans have already applied for the first round of the secret ballot. While it currently allows only 280 spots per year, the number could be adjusted in case of need. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 11, 2025, 22:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Australia's climate visa: A model for sinking islands?
Australia's climate visa (Image: AP) In the tiny South Pacific nation of just over 10,000 people, one in three citizens has already entered the ballot for a world-first climate visa which would allow them to permanently migrate to Australia. Tuvalu is classified as extremely vulnerable to climate change and rising seas. Funafuti, the country's capital, is a thin strip of land with a vast lagoon on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Half the country's citizens live there. But with rising tides and worsening climate change, flooding has become routine, and scientists warn the entire island could be underwater within 35 years. For a country where 70 percent of people are between the ages of 15 and 64, the threat is existential. A model for climate change In November 2023, responding to Tuvalu's call for help, Australia signed the Falepili Union Treaty. The agreement covers climate cooperation, dignified mobility and shared security. After months of domestic consultations, the treaty is now in force. From 2025, a so-called "special mobility pathway" has opened up that allows up to 280 Tuvaluans to live, work or study in Australia each year. Protecting Tuvalu's identity The treaty says it recognizes the deep ancestral ties that Tuvaluans have to the land and sea. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giá vàng đang tăng mạnh trong năm 2025 — Các nhà giao dịch thông minh đã tham gia IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo It commits to preserving Tuvalu's statehood and sovereignty even if its land becomes uninhabitable. The treaty grants Tuvaluans "freedom for unlimited travel" to and from Australia. In a nod to regional security, Australia has also agreed to assist Tuvalu in case of a major natural disaster, a public health emergency of international concern, or military aggression. How will the Falepili Union work? Each year, a secret ballot will select 280 people who are over the age of 18, hold a Tuvaluan passport and were either born in Tuvalu or have a parent or grandparent born there. Tuvaluans have historically relied on Australia and New Zealand for support. This program is specifically for those without comparable options. For example, people who already hold New Zealand citizenship are ineligible, underscoring the intent of the visa to prioritize those most in need. The visa is also open to people with disabilities, chronic health conditions or special needs — categories often excluded from other Australian visas. More than 3,000 Tuvaluans have already applied for the first round. At 280 spots per year, that means an applicant today could face a wait of over 10 years. However, the treaty provides for adjusting those numbers if the need arises. What makes a 'climate visa' different? Most visas tie migration to work or study requirements. Until now, that has been true for Tuvaluans, too. Under the Falepili Union Treaty, people who win the ballot can move freely, without being locked into a job or course. As Jane McAdam, a law professor and expert in refugee law at the University of New South Wales, explains, "for some people it might be an opportunity to get their children a great education in Australia. For others, it will be a job opportunity, maybe sending remittances home." McAdam welcomes the scheme, calling it a reliable safety net for Tuvaluans. The permanent residency path comes with benefits such as subsidized education, medical insurance, disability insurance, family tax benefits, childcare subsidies and youth allowances. What is the difference between a refugee and climate migrant? Traditionally, climate disasters have fallen into a legal gap. For example, almost 30 years ago, Australia's High Court ruled that those fleeing natural catastrophes could not qualify as refugees. The lack of international recognition continues to have consequences, as a 2022 case in New Zealand showed: A deaf Tuvaluan man argued he could not safely return home because he would not hear evacuation warnings during disasters. Yet the courts denied him protection. In the past year, Tuvalu experienced at least two major weather-related disasters: drought and flooding. Kamal Amakrane, who heads the UN's Global Centre for Climate Mobility, says the Falepili Union Treaty marks a shift in responses to climate change refugees. "This isn't a visa for climate refugees," he explains. "It's a climate mobility pathway." Unlike refugee status, which is granted for things like forced displacement after an armed conflict or political persecution, this approach recognizes climate change as a factor. It preserves agency and dignity, giving people the time to build resilience before deciding if they need to move. Other countries tend to act only after a climate disaster strikes. Argentina, for instance, launched a humanitarian visa in 2023 for people in Latin America hit by climate shocks, but only once they had already been displaced. Could 'climate visas' be implemented by other states? Tuvalu is not alone. The Maldives, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati face similar threats and could also benefit from regional climate-mobility frameworks. The US has long operated Compacts of Free Association with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau, allowing their citizens to live and work freely in the US. But these arrangements offer little access to public benefits and expose migrants to the risks of poverty. Other regional plans are being drawn up. In 2023, ministers from African member states endorsed the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment, and Climate Change, pledging coordinated responses for people who want or need to move due to climate change. But at the same time, the crisis is also deepening. Between 2008 and 2018, over 80 percent of new disaster displacements worldwide happened in the Asia-Pacific, with Tuvalu right in the centre of this risk zone. Experts argue that most people still hope to stay put if possible. "People do not want to leave the place they call home," Amakrane says. "So, how do we help people stay where they belong? Enable their positive adaptation journey."
