Government of Tuvalu 8°31′S 179°12′E · Funafuti
Tuvalu Office of the Ambassador to UNESCO
and Special Envoy to the Commonwealth

Multilateral

Tuvalu in the Commonwealth and UNESCO

The Ambassador represents Tuvalu in two international bodies whose decisions affect its future.

The low line of Funafuti atoll on the horizon under a bright sky with cloudsApproaching Funafuti — mrlins · CC BY 2.0
The Tuvalu Women for Change centre in Vaiaku, a small blue building with a sign
Tuvalu Women for Change, VaiakuRosodo · CC BY-SA 4.0

Special Envoy

The Commonwealth

Tuvalu is one of the Commonwealth’s smallest members, and the Commonwealth is one of the few forums where small States sit as equals with large ones. The Special Envoy coordinates assistance with the Commonwealth Secretariat and fellow member countries, with a particular focus on women’s empowerment and gender equality, and on global trade negotiations where small economies risk being overlooked. He also works on access to climate finance and ocean governance, including at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings.

Ambassador Nair has also used his relationships to raise Tuvalu’s profile as a neutral champion of SIDS. Among other efforts, Tuvalu coordinated a campaign to support Nigeria’s bid to get a seat on the IMO Council and supported Portugal’s bid for a rotating seat at the UN Security Council.

The Commonwealth website
A Tuvaluan dancer in a traditional skirt and garland performing at the Pasifika Festival
Tuvaluan performer, Pasifika FestivalAdana Dobranis · CC BY 4.0

Ambassador

UNESCO

At UNESCO, Tuvalu’s priorities are safeguarding its language, songs, dances and traditional knowledge, supporting ocean science and promoting education that prepares young Tuvaluans for a changing world.

UNESCO website
Funafuti seen from an aircraft: a narrow strip of land and houses between ocean and lagoon

United Nations, New York

Tuvalu at the United Nations

General UN matters are handled by the Permanent Mission of Tuvalu to the United Nations in New York.

Visit the Mission
Funafuti from the approach — Rosodo · CC BY-SA 4.0

Quick answers

Questions people ask

Is Tuvalu part of the Commonwealth?

Yes. Tuvalu has been part of the Commonwealth since independence in 1978, and King Charles III is its Head of State. The Commonwealth is one of the forums where small States like Tuvalu sit as equals with large ones.

What are small island developing States?

Small island developing States, or SIDS, are a group of island nations recognised by the United Nations as facing particular risks: small populations, remoteness, exposure to disasters and climate change. Tuvalu is one of them and works with the Alliance of Small Island States in climate negotiations.

Does Tuvalu have an embassy?

Tuvalu has a small number of diplomatic missions, including its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and honorary consuls in several countries. This office represents Tuvalu on oceans and climate change, at the Commonwealth and at UNESCO.