Editing Tuvalu (section)

==Government==
{{main|Politics of Tuvalu}}
[[File:Government office building.jpg|thumb|Tuvaluan Parliament Chamber]]

===Parliamentary democracy===
{{see also|Human rights in Tuvalu}}
The ''[[Constitution of Tuvalu]]'' states that it is "the supreme law of Tuvalu" and that "all other laws shall be interpreted and applied subject to this Constitution"; it sets out the [[Bill of rights|Principles of the Bill of Rights]] and the [[Fundamental rights|Protection of the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms]]. On 5 September 2023, Tuvalu's parliament passed the Constitution of Tuvalu Act 2023,<ref name="SKJM">{{cite web |last=Simon Kofe and Jess Marinaccio |title=Tuvalu Constitution updated: culture, climate change and decolonisation |publisher=DevPolicyBlog - Development Policy Centre |page= |date=21 September 2023 |url=https://devpolicy.org/tuvalu-constitution-updated-culture-climate-change-and-decolonisation-20230921/ |access-date=27 November 2023 |archive-date=28 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128064801/https://devpolicy.org/tuvalu-constitution-updated-culture-climate-change-and-decolonisation-20230921/ |url-status=live}}</ref> with the changes to the constitution came into effect on 1 October 2023.<ref name="CofT23">{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Constitution of Tuvalu |publisher=Government of Tuvalu |page= |date=5 September 2023 |url=https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1986/1986-0001/ConstitutionofTuvalu_2.pdf |access-date=27 November 2023 |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203110943/https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1986/1986-0001/ConstitutionofTuvalu_2.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

Tuvalu is a [[parliamentary democracy]] and [[Commonwealth realm]] with [[Charles III]] as [[Monarchy of Tuvalu|King of Tuvalu]]. Since the King resides in the United Kingdom, he is represented in Tuvalu by a [[Governor General of Tuvalu|governor general]], whom he appoints upon the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu|prime minister of Tuvalu]].<ref name="IPU81"/> Referendums were carried out in [[1986 Tuvaluan constitutional referendum|1986]] and [[2008 Tuvaluan constitutional referendum|2008]] seeking to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic, but on both occasions the monarchy was retained.

From 1974 (the creation of the British colony of Tuvalu) until independence, the legislative body of Tuvalu was called the ''House of the Assembly'' or ''Fale I Fono''. Following independence in October 1978, the House of the Assembly was renamed the [[Parliament of Tuvalu]] or ''Palamene o Tuvalu''.<ref name="IPU81"/> The place at which the parliament sits is called the ''Vaiaku maneapa''.<ref name="TT96-1">{{cite web |last=Taafaki |first=Tauaasa |title=South Pacific – Governance in the Pacific: the dismissal of Tuvalu's Governor-General |publisher=Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, ANU (No 96/5) |page= |year=1996 |url=https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/210296/1/b1967241x.pdf |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827234001/https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/210296/1/b1967241x.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> The ''maneapa'' on each island is an open meeting place where the chiefs and elders deliberate and make decisions.<ref name="TT96-1"/>

The [[unicameral]] Parliament has 16 members, with elections held every four years. The members of parliament select the Prime Minister (who is the [[head of government]]) and the [[List of Speakers of the Parliament of Tuvalu|Speaker of Parliament]]. The ministers that form the [[Cabinet of Tuvalu|Cabinet]] are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. There are no formal political parties; election campaigns are largely based on personal/family ties and reputations.

The 2023 amendments to the [[Constitution of Tuvalu|Constitution]] recognise the [[Falekaupule]] as the traditional governing authorities of the islands of Tuvalu.<ref name="SKJM1">{{cite web |last=Simon Kofe and Jess Marinaccio |title=Tuvalu Constitution updated: culture, climate change and decolonisation |publisher=DevPolicyBlog - Development Policy Centre |page= |date=21 September 2023 |url=https://devpolicy.org/tuvalu-constitution-updated-culture-climate-change-and-decolonisation-20230921/ |access-date=29 November 2023 |archive-date=28 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128064808/https://devpolicy.org/tuvalu-constitution-updated-culture-climate-change-and-decolonisation-20230921/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Tuvalu National Library and Archives]] holds "vital documentation on the cultural, social and political heritage of Tuvalu", including surviving records from the [[Gilbert and Ellice Islands|colonial]] administration, as well as Tuvalu government archives.<ref name="bl.uk">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070202161907/http://www.bl.uk/about/policies/endangeredarch/2006/rovery.html "Tuvalu National Archives major project"], British Library</ref>

Tuvalu is a state party to the following human rights treaties: the [[Convention on the Rights of the Child]] (CRC); the [[Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women]] (CEDAW) and; the [[Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities]] (CRPD).<ref name="HR">{{cite web |work=Attorney General's Office of Tuvalu and the Pacific Community (SPC) |title=Tuvalu National Human Rights Action Plan 2016–2020 |year=2016 |url=http://rrrt.spc.int/publications-media/publications/item/740-tuvalu-national-human-rights-action-plan |access-date=5 February 2017 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115163833/http://rrrt.spc.int/publications-media/publications/item/740-tuvalu-national-human-rights-action-plan |url-status=live}}</ref> Tuvalu has commitments to ensuring human rights are respected under the [[Universal Periodic Review]] (UPR) and the [[Sustainable Development Goals]] (SDGs).

The national strategy plan ''Te Kete - National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2021-2030'' sets out the development agenda of the Government of Tuvalu,<ref name="TK21-30">{{cite web |work=Government of Tuvalu |title=Te Kete - National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 |date=2020 |url=https://australiaawardsfijiandtuvalu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Te-Kete-2021-2030-National-Development-Strategy.pdf |access-date=27 April 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803011343/https://australiaawardsfijiandtuvalu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Te-Kete-2021-2030-National-Development-Strategy.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TK2020">{{cite web |last=Tausi |first=Kitiona |title=Minister Announces New Name For National Strategy For Sustainable Development |chapter= |date=30 November 2020 |publisher=Tuvalu Paradise |url=https://tuvaluparadise.tv/2020/11/30/minister-announces-new-name-for-national-strategy-for-sustainable-development/ |access-date=15 January 2021 |archive-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124072109/https://tuvaluparadise.tv/2020/11/30/minister-announces-new-name-for-national-strategy-for-sustainable-development/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> which followed on from ''Te Kakeega III – National Strategy for Sustainable Development-2016-2020'' (TK III). The areas of development in these strategic plans include education; climate change; environment; migration and urbanisation.<ref name="TK21-30"/><ref name="TK III">{{cite web |work=Government of Tuvalu |title=Te Kakeega III – National Strategy for Sustainable Development-2016-2020 |year=2016 |url=http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/cobp-tuv-2017-2019-ld-02.pdf |access-date=5 February 2017 |archive-date=31 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231072945/https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/cobp-tuv-2017-2019-ld-02.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Tuvalu National Council for Women]] acts as an umbrella organisation for non-governmental women's rights groups throughout the country and works closely with the government.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://pacificwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Tuvalu-gender-stocktake.pdf |title=Stocktake of the Gender Mainstreaming Capacity of Pacific Island Governments: TUVALU |publisher=Secretariat of the Pacific Community |year=2013 |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908203024/https://pacificwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Tuvalu-gender-stocktake.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Legal system===
There are eight Island Courts and Lands Courts; appeals in relation to land disputes are made to the Lands Courts Appeal Panel. Appeals from the Island Courts and the Lands Courts Appeal Panel are made to the Magistrates Court, which has jurisdiction to hear civil cases involving up to [[Tuvaluan dollar|$T]]10,000. The superior court is the [[High Court of Tuvalu]] as it has unlimited original jurisdiction to determine the [[Law of Tuvalu]] and to hear appeals from the lower courts. Rulings of the High Court can be appealed to the [[Court of Appeal of Tuvalu]]. From the Court of Appeal, there is a right of appeal to His Majesty in Council, i.e., the [[Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council|Privy Council]] in London.<ref name="SPL">{{cite book |author1=Corrin-Care, Jennifer |author2=Newton, Tess |author3=Paterson, Don |name-list-style=amp |title=Introduction to South Pacific Law |year=1999 |publisher=Cavendish Publishing Ltd |location=London}}</ref><ref name="PACLIIct">{{cite web |work=Tuvalu Courts System Information |title=PACLII |url=http://www.paclii.org/tv/courts.html |access-date=10 March 2013 |archive-date=14 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114190230/http://www.paclii.org/tv/courts.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

With regard to the judiciary, "the first female Island Court magistrate was appointed to the Island Court in Nanumea in the 1980s and another in Nukulaelae in the early 1990s." There were 7 female magistrates in the Island Courts of Tuvalu (as of 2007) in comparison "to the past where only one woman magistrate served in the Magistrate Court of Tuvalu."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pacwip.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Women-Place-Chapter-5-Tuvalu-2007.pdf |title=Advancing Women's Political Participation in Tuvalu: A Research Project Commissioned by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) |last1=Kofe |first1=Susie Saitala |last2=Taomia |first2=Fakavae |year=2007 |access-date=12 March 2018 |archive-date=12 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312143857/https://www.pacwip.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Women-Place-Chapter-5-Tuvalu-2007.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Law of Tuvalu]] comprises the Acts voted into law by the Parliament of Tuvalu and statutory instruments that become law; certain Acts passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom (during the time Tuvalu was either a British protectorate or British colony); the [[common law]]; and [[customary law]] (particularly in relation to the ownership of land).<ref name="SPL"/><ref name="PACLIIct"/> The land tenure system is largely based on ''kaitasi'' (extended family ownership).<ref name="TvAIP2">{{cite web |title=Pacific Aviation Investment Program (PAIP) Environmental Management Plan – Funafuti International Airport(FUN) and Road Interim Working Document |publisher=AECOM |date=13 November 2013 |url=http://tvaip.com//docstation/com_docstation/8/tuvalu_emp_final_draft_rev_f.pdf |access-date=18 March 2016 |archive-date=25 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325114135/http://tvaip.com//docstation/com_docstation/8/tuvalu_emp_final_draft_rev_f.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Tuvalu}}
[[File:11.01 總統會晤吐瓦魯總督 (38093830851).jpg|thumb|Taiwan President [[Tsai Ing-wen]] visits Governor-General of Tuvalu [[Iakoba Italeli]] in November 2017]]
Tuvalu participates in the work of [[Secretariat of the Pacific Community|the Pacific Community (SPC)]] and is a member of the [[Pacific Islands Forum]], the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] and the United Nations. It has maintained a mission at the United Nations in New York City since 2000. Tuvalu became a member of the [[Asian Development Bank]] in 1993,<ref name=ADB22>{{cite web |first= |last= |title=Asian Development Bank Member Fact Sheet: Tuvalu |work=Asian Development Bank Institute |date=March 2022 |url=https://think-asia.org/handle/11540/14889 |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319105608/https://think-asia.org/handle/11540/14889 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and became a member of the [[World Bank]] in 2010.<ref name=WB10>{{cite web |first= |last= |title=The World Bank Group Welcomes Tuvalu - its Newest and Smallest Member |work=World Bank |date=4 June 2010 |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2010/06/24/the-world-bank-group-welcomes-tuvalu-its-newest-and-smallest-member |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319105602/https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2010/06/24/the-world-bank-group-welcomes-tuvalu-its-newest-and-smallest-member |url-status=live}}</ref>

Tuvalu maintains close relations with Fiji, New Zealand, Australia (which has maintained a [[High commissioner (Commonwealth)|High Commission]] in Tuvalu since 2018),<ref name=dfatT-v>{{cite web |url=https://tuvalu.highcommission.gov.au/ |title=Australian High Commission -Tuvalu |publisher=Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |access-date=6 January 2021 |archive-date=19 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419014441/https://tuvalu.highcommission.gov.au/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the [[European Union]]. It has diplomatic relations with Taiwan;<ref name="RNZI_37244">{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=37244 |title=Taiwan thanks Tuvalu for its backing |date=27 December 2007 |work=[[Radio New Zealand International]] |access-date=30 September 2011 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213172852/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=37244 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1249549.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |title=Country profile: Tuvalu |date=14 December 2011 |access-date=19 June 2023 |archive-date=1 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401154147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1249549.stm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=R0919>{{cite news |last=Colin Packham & Jonathan Barrett |title=Tuvalu changes PM, adds to concerns over backing for Taiwan in Pacific |newspaper=Reuters |date=19 September 2019 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-diplomacy-tuvalu/tuvalu-changes-pm-adds-to-concerns-over-backing-for-taiwan-in-pacific-idUSKBN1W400A |access-date=19 September 2019 |archive-date=4 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004102920/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-diplomacy-tuvalu/tuvalu-changes-pm-adds-to-concerns-over-backing-for-taiwan-in-pacific-idUSKBN1W400A |url-status=live}}</ref> which maintains an embassy in Tuvalu and has a large assistance programme in the islands.<ref>[http://www.unpo.org/article.php?id=5582 "Taiwan: Seeking to Prevent Tuvalu from Recognizing China"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904023430/http://www.unpo.org/article.php?id=5582 |date=4 September 2015 }}, UNPO, 9 October 2006</ref><ref name=RNZ23919>{{cite web |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |title=Climate advocacy, Taiwan to remain priorities for new Tuvalu government |date=23 September 2019 |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/399377/climate-advocacy-taiwan-to-remain-priorities-for-new-tuvalu-government |access-date=23 September 2019 |archive-date=22 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922223650/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/399377/climate-advocacy-taiwan-to-remain-priorities-for-new-tuvalu-government |url-status=live}}</ref>

A major international priority for Tuvalu in the UN, at the 2002 [[Earth Summit]] in [[Johannesburg]], South Africa and in other international fora, is promoting concern about global warming and the possible sea level rising. Tuvalu advocates ratification and implementation of the [[Kyoto Protocol]]. In December 2009, the islands stalled talks on climate change at the [[United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in Copenhagen, fearing some other developing countries were not committing fully to binding deals on a reduction in carbon emissions. Their chief negotiator stated, "Tuvalu is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change and our future rests on the outcome of this meeting."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8403745.stm |title=Developing countries split over climate measures |first=Richard |last=Black |work=[[BBC News]] |date=9 December 2009 |access-date=18 January 2010 |archive-date=18 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218223529/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8403745.stm |url-status=live}}</ref>

Tuvalu participates in the [[Alliance of Small Island States]] (AOSIS), which is a coalition of small island and low-lying coastal countries that have concerns about their vulnerability to the adverse effects of global climate change. Under the [[Majuro Declaration]], which was signed on 5 September 2013, Tuvalu has made a commitment to implement power generation of [[100% renewable energy]] (between 2013 and 2020), which is proposed to be implemented using Solar PV (95% of demand) and biodiesel (5% of demand). The feasibility of wind power generation will be considered.<ref name="MD050913">{{cite web |url=http://www.majurodeclaration.org/the_declaration/ |title=Majuro Declaration: For Climate Leadership |date=5 September 2013 |work=Pacific Islands Forum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323062847/http://www.majurodeclaration.org/the_declaration/ |archive-date=23 March 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=7 September 2013}}</ref> Tuvalu participates in the operations of the [[Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission]] (SOPAC) and the [[Pacific Regional Environment Programme|Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme]] (SPREP).<ref name=SPREP>{{cite web |url=http://www.sprep.org/ |title=SPREC |year=2009 |publisher=Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme |access-date=22 October 2011 |archive-date=11 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011043522/http://www.sprep.org/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Tuvalu is party to a treaty of friendship with the United States, signed soon after independence and ratified by the [[United States Senate|US Senate]] in 1983, under which the United States renounced prior territorial claims to four Tuvaluan islands ([[Funafuti]], [[Nukufetau]], [[Nukulaelae]] and [[Niulakita]]) under the [[Guano Islands Act]] of 1856.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doi.gov/oia/Islandpages/disputedpage.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014736/http://www.doi.gov/oia/Islandpages/disputedpage.htm |archive-date=30 September 2007 |title=Formerly Disputed Islands |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs}}</ref>

Tuvalu participates in the operations of the [[Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency]] (FFA)<ref name=FFA>{{cite web |url=http://www.ffa.int/ |title=Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency |access-date=11 October 2010 |archive-date=28 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828121608/http://www.ffa.int/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission]] (WCPFC).<ref name=FWCFC>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcpfc.int/ |title=The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) |access-date=29 March 2012 |archive-date=8 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308000837/http://www.wcpfc.int/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Tuvaluan government, the [[US government]], and the governments of other Pacific islands are parties to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty (SPTT), which entered into force in 1988.<ref name=SPTT>{{cite web |url=http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/IFD/ifd_sptt.html |title=South Pacific Tuna Treaty (SPTT) |year=1988 |access-date=1 September 2010 |archive-date=6 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806025920/http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/IFD/ifd_sptt.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Tuvalu is also a member of the [[Nauru Agreement]] which addresses the management of tuna [[seine fishing|purse seine fishing]] in the tropical western Pacific. The United States and the Pacific Islands countries have negotiated the Multilateral Fisheries Treaty (which encompasses the South Pacific Tuna Treaty) to confirm access to the fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific for US tuna boats. Tuvalu and the other members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the United States have settled a tuna fishing deal for 2015; a longer-term deal will be negotiated. The treaty is an extension of the Nauru Agreement and provides for the US flagged purse seine vessels to fish 8,300 days in the region in return for a payment of US$90&nbsp;million made up by tuna fishing industry and US-Government contributions.<ref>{{cite web |work=FIS Australia |title=Pacific Islands and the US settle tuna deal |date=9 October 2014 |url=http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=9&id=71927&l=e&special=0&ndb=0 |access-date=18 October 2014 |archive-date=3 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703211313/http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=9&id=71927&l=e&special=0&ndb=0 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Tuvalu refused to sell fishing days to certain nations and fleets that have blocked Tuvaluan initiatives to develop and sustain their own fishery.<ref name="PAC_120615">{{cite web |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=309639 |title=Tuvalu refuses to sell fishing days |date=13 June 2015 |work=The Fijian Times Online (PNA/PACNEWS) |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807133011/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=309639 |archive-date=7 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, the Minister of Natural Resources drew attention to Article 30 of the WCPF Convention, which describes the collective obligation of members to consider the disproportionate burden that management measures might place on small-island developing states.<ref name="PB16">{{cite web |work=Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) |title=TWCPFC13: Don't forget Article 30- Tuvalu reminds Tuna Commission of 'disproportionate burden' for SIDS |date=5 December 2016 |url=http://www.ffa.int/node/1831 |access-date=10 December 2016 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180944/http://www.ffa.int/node/1831 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In July 2013, Tuvalu signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish the Pacific Regional Trade and Development Facility, which Facility originated in 2006, in the context of negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Pacific ACP States and the [[European Union]]. The rationale for the creation of the Facility being to improve the delivery of aid to Pacific island countries in support of the [[Aid effectiveness|Aid-for-Trade]] (AfT) requirements. The Pacific ACP States are the countries in the Pacific that are signatories to the [[Cotonou Agreement]] with the [[European Union]].<ref name="STT">{{cite web |last=The Secretary General |title=Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu Sign the MOU to establish Trade and Development Facility |publisher=Press Statement 40/13, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat |date=19 July 2013 |url=http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/newsroom/press-statements/2013/samoa-tonga-tuvalu-sign-mou-to-establish-trade-development-facility.html |access-date=27 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030205728/http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/newsroom/press-statements/2013/samoa-tonga-tuvalu-sign-mou-to-establish-trade-development-facility.html |archive-date=30 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 31 May 2017 the first enhanced High Level Political Dialogue between Tuvalu and the European Union under the Cotonou Agreement was held in Funafuti.<ref name="EU2020">{{cite news |title=Enhanced High Level Political Dialogue between Tuvalu and the European Union |url=https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/angola/27319/enhanced-high-level-political-dialogue-between-tuvalu-and-european-union_fr |publisher=European Union |date=2 June 2017 |access-date=7 January 2021 |archive-date=8 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108071224/https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/angola/27319/enhanced-high-level-political-dialogue-between-tuvalu-and-european-union_fr |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 18 February 2016, Tuvalu signed the Pacific Islands Development Forum Charter and formally joined the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF).<ref name="PIDF0316">{{cite web |last=The Secretary General |title=Tuvalu signs PIDF Charter and formally joins PIDF |publisher=Pacific Islands Development Forum |date=18 February 2016 |url=http://pacificidf.org/tuvalu-signs-pidf-charter-and-formally-joins-pidf/ |access-date=17 March 2016 |archive-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315072122/http://pacificidf.org/tuvalu-signs-pidf-charter-and-formally-joins-pidf/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> In June 2017, Tuvalu signed the [[Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations]] (PACER).<ref name="PACER1">{{cite web |title=Tuvalu to sign regional trade deal |publisher=[[Radio NZ]] |date=1 June 2017 |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/332103/tuvalu-to-sign-regional-trade-deal |access-date=2 June 2017 |archive-date=1 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601071743/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/332103/tuvalu-to-sign-regional-trade-deal |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PACER2">{{cite web |title=PACER-Plus Regional Trade Agreement Signed in Tonga Ceremony |publisher=Pacific Islands Report/Radio NZ |date=14 June 2017 |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2017/06/14/pacer-plus-regional-trade-agreement-signed-tonga-ceremony |access-date=15 June 2017 |archive-date=15 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615070128/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2017/06/14/pacer-plus-regional-trade-agreement-signed-tonga-ceremony |url-status=dead}}</ref> Tuvalu ratified the PACER agreement in January 2022. The agreement is designed to reduce trade barriers between signatories of the agreement. Existing import tariffs will reduce to zero, and the agreement contemplates additional actions to reduce trade barriers, including harmonizing customs procedures and rules of origin, as well as eliminating restrictions to services trade, and improving labour mobility schemes between countries.<ref name="B2023">{{cite web |title=Tuvalu: 2023 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Tuvalu |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2023/07/19/Tuvalu-2023-Article-IV-Consultation-Press-Release-Staff-Report-and-Statement-by-the-536777 |publisher=International Monetary Fund Country Report No. 2023/267 |page=6 |date=21 July 2023 |access-date=24 September 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820225614/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2023/07/19/Tuvalu-2023-Article-IV-Consultation-Press-Release-Staff-Report-and-Statement-by-the-536777 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Defence and law enforcement===
{{Main|Tuvalu Police Force}}
Tuvalu has no regular military forces, and spends no money on the military. Its national police force, the [[Tuvalu Police Force]] headquartered in Funafuti, includes a maritime [[surveillance]] unit, customs, prisons and immigration. Police officers wear [[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom|British-style]] [[uniform]]s.

From 1994 to 2019 Tuvalu policed its 200-kilometre [[exclusive economic zone]] with the [[Pacific-class patrol boat]] [[HMTSS Te Mataili|HMTSS ''Te Mataili'']], provided by Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tuvalu country brief |url=http://www.dfat.gov.au/GEO/tuvalu/tuvalu_brief.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606234527/http://www.dfat.gov.au/GEO/tuvalu/tuvalu_brief.html |archive-date=2011-06-06 |access-date=14 April 2010 |publisher=Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade}}</ref> In 2019, Australia gifted a [[Guardian-class patrol boat]] as replacement.<ref name=defence2019-04-07/> Named [[HMTSS Te Mataili II (802)|HMTSS ''Te Mataili II'']], it is meant for use in maritime surveillance, [[fishery]] patrol and for search-and-rescue missions.<ref name=NavalToday2019-04-06/> ("HMTSS" stands for ''His/Her Majesty's Tuvaluan State Ship'' or for ''His/Her Majesty's Tuvalu Surveillance Ship''.) ''Te Mataili II'' was severely damaged by cyclones.<ref name="DFA23-5A">{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Tuvalu joins forces with Sea Shepherd Global to Combat Ilegal Fishing in Pacific Waters |work= Department of Foreign Affairs - Government of Tuvalu|page= |date=10 May 2023 |url=https://dfa.gov.tv/index.php/2023/05/10/tuvalu-joins-forces-with-sea-shepherd-global-to-combat-ilegal-fishing-in-pacific-waters/ |access-date=25 November 2023 |archive-date=25 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125004217/https://dfa.gov.tv/index.php/2023/05/10/tuvalu-joins-forces-with-sea-shepherd-global-to-combat-ilegal-fishing-in-pacific-waters/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 October 2024 Australia handed over a Guardian-class patrol boat to Tuvalu, which was named HMTSS ''Te Mataili III''><ref>{{cite web| first= Rojoef |last= Manuel|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-11/macrae-tuvalu-in-a-fight-for-its-life/3497128|title= Australia Transfers Guardian Patrol Boat to Tuvalu| date =22 October 2024|publisher=The Defence Post |access-date= 23 October 2024}}</ref>

In May 2023 the Government of Tuvalu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sea Shepherd Global, which is based in the Netherlands, to combat [[Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing|illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing]] in Tuvalu's [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] (EEZ).<ref name="DFA23-5A"/> Sea Shepherd Global will provide the ''Allankay'', a {{convert|54.6|m|ft}} motor vessel, to support Tuvalu's law enforcement activities.<ref name="DFA23-5A"/> ''Allankay'' will accommodate officers from the [[Law enforcement in Tuvalu|Tuvalu Police Force]], who have the authority to board, inspect, and arrest fishing vessels engaged in IUU activity in Tuvalu's EEZ.<ref name="DFA23-5A"/>

[[LGBT rights in Tuvalu|Male homosexuality]] is illegal in Tuvalu.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cooks bill puts spotlight on Pacific's anti-gay laws |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/337461/cooks-bill-puts-spotlight-on-pacific-s-anti-gay-laws |work=[[RNZ News]] |date=21 August 2017 |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615163311/https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/337461/cooks-bill-puts-spotlight-on-pacific-s-anti-gay-laws |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Crime in Tuvalu]] is not a significant social problem due to an effective criminal justice system, also due to the influence of the ''[[Falekaupule]]'' (the traditional assembly of elders of each island) and the central role of [[Religion in Tuvalu|religious institutions]] in the Tuvaluan community.

===Administrative divisions===
{{Main|Islands of Tuvalu}}
[[File:Tv-map.png|thumb|upright=1.15|A map of Tuvalu]]

Tuvalu consists of six [[atoll]]s and three [[reef]] islands, each constituting a district of the country. The smallest, Niulakita, is administered as part of Niutao. The districts, their island counts, and their populations as of the 2022 census are as follows:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! District
! Islets
! Population
|-
| [[Funafuti]]
| 6
| 6,602
|-
| [[Nanumanga]]
| 1
| 391
|-
| [[Nanumea]]
| 9
| 610
|-
| [[Niulakita]]
| 1
| 36
|-
| [[Niutao]]
| 1
| 550
|-
| [[Nui (atoll)|Nui]]
| 21
| 514
|-
| [[Nukufetau]]
| 33
| 581
|-
| [[Nukulaelae]]
| 15
| 341
|-
| [[Vaitupu]]
| 9
| 1,007
|}

Each island has its own high-chief ([[ulu-aliki]]), several sub-chiefs ([[Ariki|aliki]]s), and a community council ([[Falekaupule]]). The ''Falekaupule'', also known as ''te sina o fenua'' (grey-hairs of the land), is the traditional assembly of elders.

The ulu-aliki and aliki exercise informal authority at the local level, with the former chosen on the basis of ancestry. Since the passage of the Falekaupule Act in 1997,<ref name="pacliiF">{{cite web |work=PACLII |title=Falekaupule Act (1997) |url=http://www.paclii.org/tv/legis/consol_act_2008/fa121/ |access-date=6 April 2014 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030232202/http://www.paclii.org/tv/legis/consol_act_2008/fa121/ |url-status=live}}</ref> the powers and functions of the ''Falekaupule'' are shared with the ''pule o kaupule'', a village president elected on each atoll.<ref name="Bennetts">{{cite book |author1=Bennetts, Peter |author2=Wheeler, Tony |title=Time & Tide: The Islands of Tuvalu |year=2001 |isbn=1-86450-342-4 |publisher=Lonely Planet}}</ref>

Tuvalu has [[ISO 3166-2:TV|ISO 3166-2 codes]] defined for one town council (Funafuti) and seven island councils. Niulakita, which now has its own island council, is not listed, as it is administered as part of Niutao.