Tuvalu
The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty was signed on 9 November 2023 and entered into force on 28 August 2024.
As part of the Falepili Union treaty, Australia:
- has recognised for the first time in a legally binding treaty, Tuvalu's continuing statehood and sovereignty, notwithstanding the impact of climate-change related sea-level rise
- has committed to assist Tuvalu in response to a major natural disaster, health pandemic or military aggression
- will create a special visa pathway to support mobility with dignity, which will enable citizens of Tuvalu to come to Australia to live, work and study.
There are also obligations under the Treaty to ensure Australian interests are protected and to facilitate the smooth operation of the migration pathway and increased security cooperation:
- Tuvalu is obliged to ensure its immigration, passport, citizenship and border controls are robust and meet international standards for integrity and security
- Tuvalu will mutually agree with Australia any partnership, arrangement or engagement with any other State or entity on security and defence-related matters in Tuvalu.
Australia and Tuvalu are co-designing the special mobility pathway and are working towards having the mobility pathway operational by mid-2025.
Australia and Tuvalu released an explanatory memorandum to the Australia‑Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty outlining joint understandings between the Governments of Australia and Tuvalu on the implementation and interpretation of the treaty.
The Australia‑Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty is complemented by Joint leaders' statements outlining the commitment to uplift our broader bilateral partnership.