Latest news with #Tuvaluan
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First Post
23-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Tuvalu faces exodus: Sea rising, 80% people seek Australia's climate visa for relocation
More than 80% of Tuvalu's population has applied for Australia's climate visa under a landmark migration pact, as rising seas threaten the Pacific nation. The Falepili Union offers Tuvaluans relocation, rights and defence support amid worsening climate impacts. read more More than 80 percent of Tuvalu's citizens have applied for a special visa to move to Australia, official data revealed on Wednesday, as rising sea levels continue to threaten the low-lying Pacific island nation. Under a pioneering agreement described by Canberra as the first of its kind globally, Australia is offering annual climate visas to Tuvaluan nationals. 'The ballot drew exceptionally high interest, with 8,750 entries, including dependents of primary applicants,' the Australian High Commission in Tuvalu said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This figure amounts to roughly 82 percent of Tuvalu's total population of 10,643, based on the country's 2022 census. 'With only 280 visas available this year, many applicants will not be successful,' the commission added. Tuvalu is considered one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Scientists have warned that the nation could become uninhabitable within decades due to rising seas. Two of its nine coral atolls have already been almost completely submerged. The application figures were released just ahead of a major ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which will define states' legal duties to combat climate change and assess whether major polluting nations should be held financially responsible for resulting damage. The case, initiated by Pacific island states, could significantly influence global climate accountability and legal standards. 'First agreement of its kind' Australia and Tuvalu signed the ground-breaking Falepili Union in 2024, part of Canberra's efforts to blunt China's expanding reach in the region. Under that pact, Australia opened a new visa category specially set aside for citizens of Tuvalu who will be selected at random. 'Australia recognises the devastating impact climate change is having on the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of climate vulnerable countries and people, particularly in the Pacific region,' Australia's foreign affairs department told AFP last month. 'This is the first agreement of its kind anywhere in the world, providing a pathway for mobility with dignity as climate impacts worsen." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It will also provide Tuvaluans the choice to live, study and work in Australia. Tuvalu citizens, including those living outside the country, were eligible to be included in the ballot if they are aged over 18 and pay a Aus$25 fee (US$16). The visa deal has been hailed as a landmark response to the looming challenge of climate-forced migration. The Falepili pact commits Australia to defending Tuvalu in the face of natural disasters, health pandemics and 'military aggression'. 'For the first time, there is a country that has committed legally to come to the aid of Tuvalu, upon request, when Tuvalu encounters a major natural disaster, a health pandemic or military aggression,' Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo said at the time. 'Again, for the first time there is a country that has committed legally to recognise the future statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu despite the detrimental impact of climate changed-induced sea level rise." The agreement also gives Australia a say in any other defence pacts Tuvalu signs with other countries, raising concerns at the time that the Pacific nation was handing over its sovereignty. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tuvalu is one of just 12 states that still have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei rather than Beijing. With inputs from agencies
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."
