The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty: Opportunities and Controversies

Abstract The Prime Ministers of Australia and Tuvalu signed an agreement creating the Australia-Tuvalu Faelepili Union on 9 November 2023. The agreement commits both States to a closer relationship and includes important provisions related to climate cooperation and security. As a small, low-elevation island State, climate change is recognised as Tuvalu’s primary national security concern. Through the agreement, Australia commits to Tuvalu’s continued sovereignty notwithstanding climate change-related impacts and to create a special human mobility pathway for Tuvaluan citizens to move to Australia. The agreement also provides that Tuvalu will mutually agree with Australia any arrangement with any other State or entity on security and defence-related matters. This is in keeping with Australia’s treaty arrangements with other neighbours in the Pacific region and has been seen as a counterweight to China’s growing presence in the region.