Acting Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung (right) and Tuvalu’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade, Paulson Panapa, exchange the joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between the two nations on September 24. Photo: MOFA
The nation in question is Tuvalu.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the afternoon of September 24 (local time), at the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations in New York, Acting Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and Tuvalu’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade, Paulson Panapa, signed a joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
With this signing, Vietnam has become one of the few countries in the world to establish diplomatic relations with all 193 member states of the United Nations. The UN, founded in 1945, currently comprises 193 members.
Acting Minister Le Hoai Trung and Minister Panapa discussed future directions to strengthen bilateral ties. Both sides emphasized that the signing marks a historic milestone, laying the foundation for cooperation between the two nations. Notably, they agreed to continue fostering specific collaborative activities in promising sectors such as marine economy, tourism, and education.
Additionally, Vietnam and Tuvalu pledged to coordinate closely in multilateral forums where both are members.
Prior to establishing diplomatic relations with Vietnam, Tuvalu had diplomatic ties with 123 countries, including six ASEAN members: Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia.
Beyond the UN, Tuvalu is a member of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Commonwealth of Nations, and several Pacific regional organizations, including the Pacific Community Secretariat and the Pacific Islands Forum.
What is the scale of Tuvalu’s economy?
Tuvalu comprises over 100 small islands scattered in the South Pacific, making it one of the world’s smallest nations. Photo: Sean Gallagher
Tuvalu is currently one of the world’s smallest and most isolated nations, with a total land area of just 26 square kilometers. Its population is approximately 11,000, with most residents living on the main island. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Tuvalu’s nominal GDP in 2023 was approximately $62.3 million, ranking among the lowest globally. By 2025, this figure is projected to rise slightly to around $80 million, with a real growth rate of about 3%, driven by internationally funded infrastructure projects.
In reality, Tuvalu’s economy is small and highly vulnerable to climate change. Most of its islands are less than 3 meters above sea level. Due to its complex topography, Tuvalu is susceptible to coastal flooding, storms, and saltwater intrusion. NASA data suggests that if current trends continue, much of Tuvalu’s territory, including its airport, homes, and freshwater reserves, could be submerged by 2050.
The United Nations Development Programme classifies Tuvalu as a resource-poor nation particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Life on the islands is harsh due to the absence of rivers or streams. The porous, saline soil hinders agricultural development, limiting crops to coconuts, bananas, and taro.
In practice, aside from stamp production and fishing fees from foreign vessels, Tuvalu’s primary income source is foreign aid.
The nation’s economic activities primarily revolve around fishing and staple crop cultivation.
Tuvalu’s population is approximately 11,000. Photo: Gc2018
April 15, 2025, marked a historic milestone for Tuvalu as it launched its first-ever ATMs. This event not only signifies a leap in financial technology but also opens economic opportunities for its 11,000 residents. Previously, all transactions in Tuvalu, whether by locals or tourists, were conducted in cash. Thus, the installation of the first ATMs is a significant turning point.
According to 2023 data, Tuvalu welcomes only about 3,000 tourists annually. The nation has just one airport in Funafuti, with a few weekly flights from Fiji. When no planes are present, the runway often doubles as a playground for sports like soccer and rugby. Travel between Tuvalu’s islands relies entirely on ferries, as there are no domestic flights.
Reference sources: MOFA, IMF, CNN, Atlantic
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