Australia has announced an agreement with the Pacific nation of Tuvalu, which is being threatened by rising sea levels. The pact allows nearly 300 people a year to migrate to Australia.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says this is his country's most significant agreement with a Pacific Island nation.
He signed the treaty along with his Tuvalu counterpart, Kausea Natano.
Australia will allow 280 people a year to migrate from Tuvalu. Its nine low-lying islands are threatened by rising sea levels caused by climate change. The country currently has a population of 11,000.
The Tuvalu treaty also positions Australia as its primary security partner.
Albanese says the agreement is a “guarantee that upon a request from Tuvalu for any military assistance based upon security issues, Australia will be there."
A government official told Reuters that Australia sees a deeper economic and social integration with the Pacific Islands as a way to ensure the security of the region.
Tuvalu is one of a few nations to maintain an official diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, as Beijing is increasing its influence in the Pacific.
A plan announced by Canberra and Washington would also fund a new undersea cable in the Pacific, for the first time upgrading Tuvalu’s connection from satellite to a cable.
This story aired on Jan. 1, 2024.
