tuvalu for 19 October 2025

Tuvalu Latest News

The Government of Tuvalu has officially become the 90th State Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently.

About Tuvalu

• Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is an island country in the west-central Pacific Ocean. 
• It is the 4th smallest country in the world with 26 sq.km. of land.
• It sits about halfway between Australia and Hawaii. 
• Its neighbours include Kiribati, to the north, and Fiji, to the south. 
• It is a collection of small islands and atolls largely made out of coral reefs and volcanic rock. 
• All islands are low-lying, with no point on Tuvalu being higher than 4.5 m above sea level. Thus, the islands are threatened by any future sea level rise.
• There are no rivers. Tuvalu’s climate is hot and rainy.
• With the exception of tiny Vatican City, Tuvalu has the fewest inhabitants of any other independent nation.
• Capital: Funafuti
• Languages: Most people speak a language called Tuvaluan. English is widely used.
• Currency: Tuvalu dollar (equivalent to the Australian dollar)
• Political System:
  • Tuvalu became independent from the United Kingdom in October 1978. 
  • It operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy.
  • It is part of the Commonwealth Realm, with King Charles III recognized as King of Tuvalu. He is represented by a Governor-General, who is appointed upon the advice of the Prime Minister.
  • There are no political parties: the prime minister is chosen by and from the legislature.
• Economy:
  • Most people are subsistence farmers and are aided by remittances from relatives working overseas.
  • A small quantity of copra is produced for export, the sale of stamps accounts for modest earnings, and fees are collected from foreign fishing fleets.

Source: IUCN