UN General Assembly
2024

70. I am pleased to share with the general assembly a watershed treaty between Tuvalu and Australia titled the ‘Falepili Union Treaty’. 71. The Treaty carries the title of a treasured Tuvalu value of the “Falepili” which connotes ‘good neighborliness, care and share, and mutual respect’. 72. The Treaty is firmly grounded on mutual respect of each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. 73. The Treaty prioritizes three key areas namely climate cooperation; mobility with dignity; and shared security. 74. For the first time, there is a country (Australia) that has committed legally to come to the aid of Tuvalu, upon request, when Tuvalu encounters a major natural disaster, when Tuvalu is experiencing a major public health pandemic or when Tuvalu is subjected to some form of military aggression. 75. For the first time also, another country (Australia) is legally committed to recognize the permanency of the future statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu despite the impacts of climate change, particularly sea level rise.