San Francisco Frontiers - Tuvalu govt adviser says Australia overstepped in pre-COP visit

The official -- a senior government adviser who asked to remain anonymous as they were not authorised to speak to the media -- said they were disappointed in Australia's handling of the visit.

The comments came during a visit by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other leaders to Tuvalu, which has become a symbol of the existential threat posed by rising seas and a key partner in Canberra's Pacific strategy.

"Just because we signed the treaty doesn't mean they can take over our country and our sovereignty," the aide told AFP.

"That's how it feels like."

Australia and Tuvalu signed the groundbreaking Falepili Union in 2023, part of Canberra's efforts to blunt China's expanding reach in the region. Under that pact, Australia opened a new visa category specially set aside for adult citizens of Tuvalu.

The official also accused Albanese of disrespect in not wearing a traditional "fau" headpiece during a welcome ceremony.

"Why didn't he wear the Fau? That is so disrespectful to our culture," they said.

"Every other person wore the Fau."

AFP has reached out to Albanese's office for comment.

The getaway took place on the sidelines of the Pacific "pre-COP" gathering hosted by Fiji aimed at drawing the world's attention to life on the frontline of global warming.

The South Pacific is among the regions of the world most vulnerable to global warming -- from rising seas jeopardising homes to increasing temperatures causing coral bleaching.

Tuvalu is deeply affected, already laying plans to relocate its population of 10,600 if the country is consumed by the ocean.

L.Lopez--SFF