Climate and the Feeling of [Momentarily] Drier Feet: Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty

As is oft the case, I recovered a newspaper cutting (or ripping) that made my feet feel drier, for several moments at any rate ...

Reading this really gave me a lift, given the ongoing state of world events then and now:

Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty

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
• committed to assist Tuvalu in response to a major natural disaster, health pandemic or military aggression
• created 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.

Continued ...

My source: Nic Fildes, Migration: Australia offers Tuvalu residents visa to escape climate change. FTWeekend, 11-12 November 2023, p.4.