Tuvalu, one of the world's smallest independent nations, comprises nine low-lying coral atolls with a total surface area of 26 square kilometres dispersed over 1.3 million square kilometres of the central Pacific.
Tuvalu is a United Nations-designated Least Developed Country. Tuvalu's remote economy is dominated by the public sector. Fishing licences and marketing of Tuvalu's internet domain name '.tv' contribute to government revenue. The Tuvalu Trust Fund, a publicly owned investment fund, provides a safety net against fluctuations in government income. The earnings of the Tuvalu Trust Fund are used to help the government finance the gap between its annual budgeted revenue and expenditure. Australia has made significant contributions to the Tuvalu Trust Fund and is a member of its Board.
The bilateral relationship between Australia and Tuvalu is grounded in the Australia‑Tuvalu Falepili Union. The enhanced partnership, announced on 9 November 2023, comprises political commitments to uplift the bilateral partnership, as well as a treaty covering climate cooperation, security and mobility with dignity. The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty entered into force on 28 August 2024.
Australia's development cooperation program in Tuvalu addresses the Government of Tuvalu's priorities, including climate adaptation, education, health, telecommunications, connectivity and economic resilience. Australia will continue to work closely with Tuvalu to realise the vision of 'a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Tuvalu', as outlined in Te Kete, Tuvalu's National Development Strategy.
Australian merchandise exports to Tuvalu in 2021-22 totalled AUD7.5 million. Australian currency is legal tender in Tuvalu, but Tuvalu also circulates its own coins.
The AIFFP in Tuvalu
Australia’s investment in Tuvalu, through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), includes:
Infrastructure sectors: maritime and transport; and telecommunications and digital
Partners (A-Z): Asian Development Bank; Google; Governments of Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, Tuvalu and United States; and Tuvalu Telecommunications Cooperation
Projects (A-Z):
Enhancing boat harbours across Tuvalu
Tuvalu Vaka cable
Australian High Commission, Funafuti
First Floor, Telecom Tuvalu Building
Tuvalu Road, Vaiaku
Funafuti
Phone: +688 20043
Email: ahc.funafuti@dfat.gov.au
For more information on Australia and Tuvalu’s diplomatic relations, see the DFAT website.