Australia: Tuvalu Accepts Climate Migration and Security Agreement

Facts

• On Tuesday, Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy informed parliament that the newly elected Tuvaluan administration had chosen to move forward with the climate and security migration deal called the 'Falepili Union.'¹
• Prime Minister, Feleti Teo said the agreement that was announced in November lacked consultation rights and safeguards for Tuvalu's sovereignty. The controversy centers around a provision that Australia can veto any security arrangement Tuvalu makes with a third party.²
• Since then, Teo has joined the cause and given the green light to the Felepili Union. According to Conroy, 'respect and support for each other's sovereignty are at the heart' of the agreement.³
• The deal lets 280 Tuvaluans move to Australia every year and protects Tuvalu's sovereignty even if sea levels rise due to climate change. Upon request, Australia agrees to help Tuvalu in the event of a natural disaster, a pandemic, or a military attack.¹
• Tuvalu has been a focus since February when Nauru severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and turned to Beijing. Taiwan, China, the US, and Australia paid special attention to Tuvalu's general election as the country is one of Taiwan's three remaining Pacific allies.⁴
• Climate change-catalyzed sea level rise is a threat to the island nation. Extreme weather such as more frequent cyclones and storm surge events also are hazards to Tuvalu's sensitive ecosystem.⁴

Sources: ¹The Guardian, ²Barron's, ³Islands Business and ⁴Nature World News.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Islands Business. The Falepili Union is a historic agreement. Both Tuvalu and Australia benefit. On one hand, it will allow Tuvaluans to migrate gradually and with dignity, as the Pacific Island nation is at risk of disappearing due to climate change. On the other hand, this three-part integration initiative marks a significant victory for Canberra in its efforts to keep Beijing at bay in the region.
• Narrative B, as provided by Global Times. Australia has long been the bully in the South Pacific, acting as the manager of the US in what they perceive as the country's backyard and treating island nations as vassal states with a colonialist mentality. This treaty with Tuvalu is just the latest attempt to protect its hegemonic system while more constructive actors in a multipolar world, like China, seek to ramp up cooperation and economic exchange in Oceania.

Predictions