“Where are you from?” is one of the initial questions people often ask each other. For a child born in Tuvalu today, the response might not be straightforward by the time they complete their education, as rising sea levels could .
This week, global leaders are assembling in New York for the high-level week. While discussions on war and conflict will dominate, governments must also direct their focus toward crises that are eroding the foundations of international stability. A primary concern among these is sea-level rise. This is not merely an abstract concept; .
For Tuvalu, climate change isn’t a future threat; it’s an ongoing reality. Saltwater infiltrates gardens, storms damage homes, and floods disrupt daily existence. Many nations are acknowledging the urgency of action as the process towards the begins shortly. The summit provides an opportunity to secure shared long-term commitments, ensuring that island nations like mine are not left to face the literal disappearance of our homelands in isolation.
I am proud to state that from one of the world’s smallest nations facing an existential threat emerge some of the most resolute actions. We have acted to declare our Statehood in perpetuity and our maritime boundaries permanent, regardless of what happens to our physical land. We also welcome the, which confirms Tuvalu’s statehood despite the impacts of climate change and promotes climate mobility with dignity and rights.
We are actively involved in building a national museum and pursuing UNESCO World Heritage status. With international partners, we are establishing a permanent digital archive of traditions and history so that our heritage endures. This guarantees our culture is protected despite the climate crisis and remains accessible to all Tuvaluans, both at home and abroad.
For us, adaptation signifies more than just defending coastlines. Through the, we are reclaiming land and fortifying shores using nature-based defenses. Our meteorological services now employ advanced forecasting to provide communities with crucial time to prepare for extreme weather events such as storms and droughts. Adaptation is not surrender; it is actively ensuring that sovereignty and identity persist.
Tuvalu’s economy also relies on our Exclusive Economic Zone, an area of 200 nautical miles surrounding the land that provides us with nearly half of our GDP from fishing and seabed resources. We also generate significant revenue from our . Our young people carry this vision forward, advocating for ancestors who shaped our islands and for generations yet to be born. Through the, Tuvaluan voices now resonate in the halls of the United Nations and at global climate discussions.
With the, we are also piloting novel approaches to deliver climate finance where it is most needed. The provides rapid-response grants directly to communities on the front lines. Unlike most climate finance, which often arrives too late or funds only large infrastructure, this facility supports community-led solutions that help families remain in place, respond to threats, and build resilience. Through one pilot grant, the Tuvalu Maritime Training Institute restored vital training equipment, keeping our seafarers certified and the maritime economy functioning. International leaders are advocating for the swift scaling of such locally led funds, alongside climate risk insurance, green and blue bonds, and blended finance, to assist frontline communities globally.
The world frequently discusses climate change in scientific and economic terms. While those discussions are valid, for us, its physical manifestation is wet, salty, and immediately threatening. The unfortunate reality is that relocation, once unimaginable, is no longer theoretical.
The seas are rising. But our determination rises faster. We will endure. Through the, Tuvalu stands with partners to demonstrate how we will withstand the threats posed by rising seas.
What we must do is as clear as the open horizon. As the seas advance, so too must our ideas and the very definition of what it means to be Tuvaluan.