Pacific peace and security has emerged as a top priority for Australia and Tuvalu as the nations’ prime ministers held geopolitical discussions.
Anthony Albanese met with Feleti Teo in Brisbane on Friday as the Tuvaluan leader continued his trip around Australia.
The pair discussed defence and policing needs in the Pacific region, climate change responses and other work to be done under the Falepili Union, which was signed in November and is expected to come into force later in 2024.
The union between the two nations aims to boost people ties and support on climate change. It includes a groundbreaking arrangement to provide 280 Tuvaluans with special visas to Australia every year, as their nation sinks beneath the warming ocean.
It also allows Australia to provide Tuvalu with a defence guarantee under its treaty, but this has sparked controversy and concerns about the island nation’s sovereignty as Canberra was given exclusivity on security arrangements.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong signed a subsequent agreement and memorandum of understanding during her visit to Tuvalu in May, outlining the nation’s sovereignty after Teo raised concerns when coming to office earlier in 2024.
It comes as the Commonwealth focuses efforts on the Indo-Pacific while China continues to make moves in the region.
The federal government last Wednesday also announced a $40 million (US$27 million) commitment to support aviation and connectivity in Tuvalu.
Australia has also helped to deliver the Pacific nation’s first undersea telecommunications cable, climate change adaption projects and budget support.
A new Guardian-class patrol boat will be delivered in the coming months.
The Tuvaluan prime minister also met with Senator Wong and Pacific Minister Pat Conroy earlier in his trip.
The visit follows the Pacific Banking Forum held in Brisbane, where the Commonwealth pledged an extra $6.3 million (US$4.2 million) to bolster banking infrastructure in the region.
