Tuvalu

Tuvalu is an archipelago consisting of islands and atolls located in the South Pacific, northern Fiji. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, with 26 square kilometres and a population of nearly 11,000 people. It is a parliamentary monarchy. As a member of the Commonwealth, its head of State is the British monarch.

Tuvalu and Kiribati were British colonies administered jointly. Following their Independence, both countries chose to establish separate national entities. Tuvalu won Independence from the United Kingdom in October 1978.

Tuvalu’s economy shows great vulnerability to external factors, such as climate. The majority of the population is engaged in fishery and subsistence agriculture activities.

The country is a party to the 1982 Nauru Agreement, which promotes coordination and harmonization of the management of tuna fisheries in its eight member countries. The theme is of great relevance to the island countries in the Pacific, which depend, to a greater or lesser extent, of the income from licensing of foreign fishing vessels to fund the government. In the case of Tuvalu, 62% of governmental revenues in 2016 originated from those permits.

Brazil and Tuvalu maintain diplomatic relations since 2006. Bilateral rapprochement efforts began in 2005, when ambassador Arnaldo Carrilho headed the first Brazilian official mission to that country.

The Embassy of Brazil in Wellington is responsible for bilateral relations with Tuvalu. Until now, there are no bilateral agreements signed between Brazil and Tuvalu.

Trade exchange between Brazil and Tuvalu is modest, totalling less than $1million per year, and is comprised almost entirely of Brazilian oil sales.

Chronology of bilateral relations

2009 – The permanent representative of Tuvalu to the UN visits Brazil

2006 – Diplomatic relations are established

2005 – First Brazilian official mission to Tuvalu