The Tuvalu archipelago, an island micro-state in the South Pacific threatened with disappearing beneath the waves by the end of the 21st centurye century, could hardly refuse the hand extended by Canberra. In November 2023, Australia offered climate asylum to its entire population in exchange for a say in security pacts it would consider signing with other nations. This historic treaty provoked heated debates in the archipelago, worried about its sovereignty. On Thursday, May 9, the two countries concluded a “explanatory memorandum” which, by removing certain gray areas, should allow its implementation from the year 2024.
Main point of contention, Article 4, which stipulates that Canberra will have a say on “any partnership, agreement or commitment” that Tuvalu would like to conclude with other states or entities on security and defense matters; a clause highly criticized by the Tuvaluans, who associated it with a right of veto.
To end the debate, the memorandum specifies that this article will only apply in a “limited number of circumstances” and that the “Tuvalu does not need Australia’s permission before starting discussions with other partners.” In order to resolve any remaining doubts, he adds that each party “may suspend obligations and even terminate the treaty by mutual agreement or unilaterally”.
Generally speaking, this memorandum details and confirms the main provisions of the treaty. He recalls that the island continent will come to the aid of these Polynesian islands in the event of military aggression, natural disaster or even a pandemic. But also and above all that Australia will offer, each year, permanent residence to 280 Tuvaluans – ” drawn “ among the candidates for departure – which should allow it to ultimately accommodate the 11,200 inhabitants of the archipelago.
“Record levels”
Richard Gokrun, director of the Tuvalu Climate Action Network, reached by telephone by The worlddoes not intend to pack his bags, but rather to fight to ensure a future for his people, even if he can only see every day the damage caused by climate change in his country made up of nine atolls corals at the surface of the water. “One of the most worrying consequences of rising water levels is the precariousness of our water and food security”, laments the young man, who is lucky enough to live in the highest area of the main island, Funafuti, at three meters above sea level. In February, his family was left high and dry when most of his friends saw their homes flooded by a high tide of unprecedented magnitude.
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