|
A nation in the process of disappearing
Tuvalu is an independent constitutional nation in the southwest Pacific Ocean, located approximately 1000 km north of Fiji and with a total land mass of only 26 km2.. It is composed of 9 low-lying coral atolls islands and numerous islets. Average elevation : 3 m. The total population is about 11,000. The capital island, Funafuti, is only 2.8 km2 but accounts for more than half of the population and two-thirds of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country.
Named the only nation in the world above reproach for human rights violations by a panel of observers in June 1998, Tuvalu is also the earth's first sovereign nation faced with becoming totally uninhabitable due to global-warming related flooding within the next 50 years. Its 11,000 citizens are thus threatened with becoming the planet’s first entire nation of environmental refugees.
Today global warming is an increasingly recognized fact and we know that human activities are one of the causes of this phenomenon.
|
|
Region: Oceania (South Pacific)
Localization: 1100 km north of Fuji, East of Australia
Archipelago and nation / 9 islands: Nanumea, Niutao, Nanumanga, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetao, Funafuti (Capital Island), Nukulaelae, Niulakita.
Total land-mass: 26 km2
Inhabitants: 11 000
Language: Tuvaluan and English
Currency: Australian Dollar
Average elevation: 3m
Territorial waters: 750 000 km²
Governor general and government (from August 2013):
Governor General : Iakopa Italeli Taeia
Prime Minister : Enele Sopoaga (MP pour Nukufetau)
Speaker : Otinielu Tauteleimalae Tausi (MP for Nanumanga)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public utilities : Vete Sakaio (MP pour Nuitao)
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Environment : Taukelina Finikaso (MP pour Vaitupu)
Minister for Finance and Economic development : Maatia Toafa (MP pour Nanumea)
Minister for Home Affairs and Development : Namoliki Sualiki Neemia (MP pour Nukulaelae)
Minister for Communication, Transport, Fisheries : Monise Laafai (MP pour Nanumanga)
Minister for Education, Youth, Sports and Health : Fauoa Maani (MP pour Niutao)
On Tuesday August 6th, 2013, new Prime Minister confirmed in Tuvalu
Since September 2010, Tuvalu has been going thru political tensions that came to a conclusion (or maybe not) on Sunday 4th, 2013 with the nomination of a new PM.
In December 2010, when a member of parliament crossed the floor, (i.e. went to the other party), the government in place since September, was replaced and a new PM, Willy Telavi, nominated.
Since then, Tuvalu experienced political feuds and court actions by the opposition. More tragically, 2 ministers died.
Early in August 2013, during a session of parliament, a vote of no confidence was delayed by a minister's resignation and brought a situation where the Prime Minister and the Governor General forced each other to resign their office.
On Sunday August 4th, 2013 Enele Sopoaga was nominated as Prime Minister… and officially named on Tuesday August 6th 2013.
A bye election for Nui is expected in Sept 2013 while the general election will be around Sept 2014.
Governor general and government (from december 2010 to August 2013):
On Tuesday 21st of December 2010, after a vote of no confidence that passed in the first day of Parliament, the Government appointed on October 1st had to step out. On Friday 24th December, Willy Telavi, previously Minister of Home Affairs, was nominated Prime Minister and a new cabinet was lineup : Apisai Ielemia, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lotoala Metia, Minister of Finance, Isaia Italeli, Minister of Natural Resources, Taom Tanukale, Minister of Health, Dr Falesa Pitoi, Minister of Education, Kausea Natano, Minister of Transport, Communication and Public Utilities, and Kamuta Latasi, Speaker of the House. In other words the previous team is back after the shortest term ever in Tuvalu’s history.
Governor general and government (from september to december 2010):
Governor General : Iakopa Italeli Taeia
Prime Minister : Maatia Toafa (MP* for Nanumea Island)
Speaker : Isaia Taeia Italeli (MP for Nui Island)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Environment and Labour : Enele Sopoaga (MP for Nukufetau Island)
Minister for Public Works and Natural Resources : Vete Sakaio (MP for Nuitao Island)
Minister for Communication, Transport, Fisheries : Taukelina Finikaso (MP for Vaitupu Island)
Minister for Education, Youth and Sports : Namoliki Sualiki Neemia (MP for Nukulaelae Island)
Minister for Finance and Planning : Monise Laafai (MP for Nanumanga Island)
Minister for Home Affairs : Willy Telavi (MP for Nanumea Island)
Minister for Health : Fauoa Maani (MP for Niutao Island)
*MP: member of Parliement
Opposition : 7 other Members of Parliament:
Apisai Ielemia (MP for Vaitupu, former Prime Minister)
Lotoala Metia (MP for Nukufeta, former Minister for Finance)
Kausea Natano (MP for Funafuti former minister for Energy and Commerce)
Kamuta Latasi (MP for Funafuti, former Speaker of the House)
Dr Falesa Pitoi (MP for Nanumaga, former Education Minister).
Taomu Tanu (new MP for Nui)
Governor general and government (2006/2010):
Sir Filoimea Telito : Governor general
Hon. Apisai Ielemia - Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Hon. Taukelina Finikaso – Minister of Communication and Transport & Works
Hon. Kausea Natano : Minister of Energy, and Commerce
Hon. Willy Telavi – Minister of Home Affairs and Rural Development
Hon. Tavau Teii – Minister of Natural Resources and Deputy Prime Minister
Hon. Lotoala Metia - Minister of Finance and Economic Planning
Hon. Iakoba Italeli –Minister of Health
Hon. Falesa Pitoi – Minister of Education, Sport and Culture
Hon. Kamuta Latasi – Speaker of the House
Sir. Tomu Malaefono Sione – Chairman of the Caucus
DISTANCES BETWEEN ISLANDS (in km)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funafuti |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nanumanga |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nanumea |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Niutao |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nui |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nukufetau |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nukulaelae |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nulakita |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vaitapu |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NB: this is a very rough estimation as the seagull flies in kilometer
AREA
Tuvalu total landmass: 25,11 km2
Vaitupu : 5,09 km2
Nanumea : 3,61 km2
Nui : 3,37 km2
Nanumaga : 3,10 km2
Nukufetau : 3,07 km2
Funafuti : 2,54 km2
Nuitao : 2,26 km2
Nukulaelae : 1,66 km2
Niulakita : 0,41 km2
After 2 centuries as a protectorate and colony, Tuvalu is an independant country since 1978.
It is a member of the commonwealth and a member of the United nations.
Over 8000 years ago: traces of human presence in a Nanumanga cave
2000 years ago: appearance of the Tuvaluan language
http://www.tuvaluislands.com: first historical writings
From the 16th to the 19th century: exploration of the Tuvaluan islands. Exploitation of fishing and market gardening resources (coconut)
1861: accidental arrival of LMS missionaries (London Missionary Society). Today over 95% of the Tuvaluan people are dedicated to the Tuvalu Protestant Church, modern LMS emanation.
1877: Tuvalu becomes Ellice Islands, first under British jurisdiction, under protectorate from 1892.
1915: regrouping of the Ellice and Gilbert (Kiribati) colonies
1942: during 2nd world war, in order to fight against Japan, the Americans establish their headquarters in Funafuti, Capital lagoon of Tuvalu. They build 2 airstrips using soil found on the premises. They will never refill the holes dug ( borrow pits).
1974: The English establish an independent Tuvaluan government and a referendum gives the Tuvaluans their independence back.
October, 1st, 1975: separation from the Gilbert Islands
October, 1st, 1978: independence day in Tuvalu
1992: Rio de Janeiro Convention
1997: Kyoto Protocol
1998: The United Nations declares Tuvalu as the only nation in the world above reproach for human rights violations
2001: Tuvalu obtains a vote in the United Nations
www.tuvaluislands.com
www.janeresture.com
www.ekttuvalu.com
www.tuvalu-news.tv
www.informet.net/tuvmet
www.nanumea.net
www.tuvalu-overview.tv
www.europeantelevisioncenter.tv
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvalu
www.tuvaluislands.com/news/archives/2006/2006-03-04.htm
www.sprep.org/publication/pein_tuvalu.asp
Tuvaluan flags : http://www.tuvaluislands.com/flags.htm
more links !!!
BOOKS
 Tuvalu Marine Life, Alofa Tuvalu, 2013
  « Plants of Tuvalu: Lakau mo Mouku o Tuvalu », Randy Thaman, Eliala Fihaki, Teddy Fong, 2013
« Iles Pionnières », Philippe Vallette, Christine Causse, Actes Sud, 2012
« Ka Lofia te Paneta », collective work by Alofa Tuvalu, 2008
and 2010
« Climate change displaced persons and housing, land and property rights », Displacement solutions, 2009
« Where the hell is Tuvalu ?
», Philip Elis, Virgin Ed., 2006
« Unity of Heart »: culture and change in a polynesian atoll society, Keith et Anne Chambers, 2001
 « Time tide : the islands of
Tuvalu
», Peter Bennets and Tony Wheeler, published by Lonely Planet, december, 2000
« Tuvalu, a history », collective work by Tuvaluans, printed by Fidji Times and Herald Limited in 1983. (out of stock)
|
