The Right Honourable
Kausea Natano
MP
Natano in 2022
13th Prime Minister of Tuvalu
Assumed office
19 September 2019
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Governor General
See list
Preceded byEnele Sopoaga
Deputy Prime Minister of Tuvalu
In office
24 December 2010 – 2 August 2013
Prime MinisterWilly Telavi
Preceded byEnele Sopoaga
Succeeded byVete Sakaio
Minister of Public Utilities
In office
24 December 2010 – 2 August 2013
Prime MinisterWilly Telavi
Preceded byTaukelina Finikaso
Succeeded byVete Sakaio
Member of Parliament
for Funafuti
In office
25 July 2002 – 26 January 2024
Preceded byIonatana Ionatana
Teleke Lauti
Personal details
Born (1957-07-05) 5 July 1957 (age 66)
Funafuti[citation needed]
SpouseSelepa Kausea Natano

Kausea Natano (born 5 July 1957)[1] is a politician who has served as the prime minister of Tuvalu since 19 September 2019. He represented Funafuti as a Member of Parliament. He was first elected in the 2002 Tuvaluan general election and served as an MP until he was unseated in the 2024 Tuvaluan general election.[2][3]

In his political career, Natano has also assumed significant roles, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, during his tenure in the Cabinet led by former Prime Minister Willy Telavi.[4]

Early life

Before he entered politics, Natano worked as the director of customs in Tuvalu. He also held the position of assistant secretary in the ministry of finance, where he contributed to economic planning.[5]

Political career

Kausea Natano entered Tuvalu's Parliament in 2002, marking the start of his political career.[6] He secured re-election in 2006[7][8] with 340 votes.[9] He also took on the role of Minister for Public Utilities and Industries until 2010 as part of Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia's Cabinet.[6] His continuous commitment to public service was evident as he retained his parliamentary seat in the 2010, 2015, and 2019 general elections.[10]

Deputy Prime Minister (2010–2013)

Following the 2010 general election, Natano stood for the premiership, and received seven votes from MPs, thus being narrowly defeated by Maatia Toafa, who received eight.[11] In December 2010, Toafa's government was ousted in a motion of no confidence, and Willy Telavi succeeded to the premiership.[12] Natano was among those who supported Telavi, enabling his accession. Upon appointing his Cabinet on December 24, Telavi appointed Natano as Minister for Communications.[6][13] He was also appointed Deputy Prime Minister.[6][14]

Following the removal of Prime Minister Willy Telavi by Governor General Sir Iakoba Italeli on 1 August 2013, prompted by a political crisis where Telavi sought to govern without Parliament's support, the subsequent day saw a parliamentary vote. In this vote, Natano and the entire Cabinet were ousted from office, as the opposition had gained a clear majority.[15]

Prime Minister (2019–present)

See also: Natano Ministry
Natano signing the book of condolence for Queen Elizabeth II at Lancaster House on 17 September 2022

Following the 2019 Tuvaluan general election, on 19 September 2019, the members of parliament elected Natano as prime minister with a 10–6 majority.[16][17][18][19][20]

During his ministry, the economy of Tuvalu experienced challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the IMF Article IV consultation with Tuvalu concluded that a successful vaccination strategy allowed Tuvalu to lift coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment measures[21] at the end of 2022. However, the economic cost of the pandemic was significant, with real gross domestic product growth falling from 13.8% in 2019 to -4.3 percent in 2020, although it recovered to 1.8% in 2021.[22] Inflation rose to 11.5% in 2022, but inflation is projected to fall to 2.8% by 2028.[22]

The increase in inflation in 2022 was due to the rapid rise in the cost of food resulting from a drought that affected food production and from rising global food prices, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (food imports represent 19 percent of Tuvalu’s GDP, while agriculture makes up for only 10 percent of GDP).[23]

On 26 September 2023, the World Bank (WB) approved US$11.5 million (AUD$18 million) in new grant financing to Tuvalu as part of the WB’s First Climate and Disaster Resilience Development Policy Financing program.[24] This WB support includes a development policy grant of US$7.5 million (AU$11.8 million) This grant is directed to assisting Tuvalu's National Disaster Management Office in coordinating post-disaster response activities; as well to the work of Tuvalu’s National Building Code Assessment Unit, of the Public Works Department, to develop more disaster-resilient infrastructure in Tuvalu.[24]

In the 2024 Tuvaluan general election Natano did not retain his seat in parliament.[25] Former foreign minister Simon Kofe retained his seat in the Funafuti electorate.[2][3][25][26]

Climate change initiatives

During his ministry, Tuvalu implemented the National Adaptation Programme of Action as a response to the climate change issues facing Tuvalu, including the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP).[27] The Natano Ministry continued the constitutional reform project that had commenced in 2016 in the Sopoaga Ministry. On 5 September 2023, Tuvalu’s parliament passed the Constitution of Tuvalu Act 2023,[28] with the changes to the Constitution came into effect on 1 October 2023.[29]

The 2023 amendments to the Constitution adopt an innovative approach to determining the boundaries of the State of Tuvalu in the event that climate change results in sea level rise that causes loss to the physical territory of Tuvalu.[30]

Section 2(1) states "The State of Tuvalu within its historical, cultural, and legal framework shall remain in perpetuity in the future, notwithstanding the impacts of climate change or other causes resulting in loss to the physical territory of Tuvalu."
Section 2(2) declares "The area of Tuvalu consists of all areas bounded by baseline coordinates including maritime zones measured from such baseline coordinates declared in Schedule 6 (Declaration of Tuvalu Geographical Coordinates)."

The government of Tuvalu recognises that there is no international conventions that it can rely on that can recognise Tuvalu's new status as the effects of climate change are not addressed in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.[31]

Tuvalu, and other Pacific Ocean countries, support such a position on the impact on territorial boundaries caused by climate change. The leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum countries published a declaration on 6 August 2021 that recalling that Pacific Islands Forum Members have a long history of support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (the "Convention"), and which declaration ended with a proclamation: "that our maritime zones, as established and notified to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in accordance with the Convention, and the rights and entitlements that flow from them, shall continue to apply, without reduction, notwithstanding any physical changes connected to climate change-related sea-level rise."[32][33]

Foreign policy

Following the 2019 election, Natano became Prime Minister, replacing the incumbent Enele Sopoaga, who was characterized as "pro-Taiwan."[34] In the January 2024 election, Natano, who maintained the status quo, was now characterized as the "pro-Taiwan" candidate for leadership, with contender Seve Paeniu pledging during his election campaign to review Tuvalu's ties with Taiwan.[35]

On 10 November 2023, Natano signed the Falepili Union, a bilateral diplomatic relationship with Australia, under which Australia will increase its contribution to the Tuvalu Trust Fund and to TCAP.[36][37][38] Australia will also provide an pathway for citizens of Tuvalu to migrate to Australia, to enable climate-related mobility for Tuvaluans.[37][35]

Personal life

He is married to Selepa Kausea Natano.[39][6]

References

  1. ^ "THE HON KAUSEA NATANO PRIME MINISTER TUVALU". Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Tuvalu general election: Six newcomers in parliament". Radio New Zealand. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Marinaccio, Jess (30 January 2024). "Tuvalu's 2024 general election: a new political landscape". PolicyDevBlog. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Current Members (including Ministers and Private Members)". The Parliament of Tuvalu. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  5. ^ "Tuvalu has elected a new Prime Minister - Hon. Kausea Natano". Fiji Sun. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e "The Hon Kausea Natano, Prime Minister, Tuvalu". Pacific Island Forum. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  7. ^ Tuvalu's new Government to be sworn in on 17 August Archived 2008-10-14 at the Wayback Machine, Pacific Islands Trade & Investment Commission NZ, 8 August 2008. Accessed 2008-09-25.
  8. ^ Election Results Bring Changes Archived 2008-10-19 at the Wayback Machine, Tuvalu News, 3 August 2006. Accessed 2008-09-25.
  9. ^ ELECTION RESULTS FOR THE FUNAFUTI CONSTITUENCY Archived 2013-03-01 at the Wayback Machine, Tuvalu News, 16 August 2006. Accessed 2008-09-25.
  10. ^ Tahana, Jamie (10 September 2019). "Tuvalu elections: large turnover for new parliament". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  11. ^ "New Prime Minister for Tuvalu". Australia Network. 2010-09-29. Archived from the original on 2010-09-29. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  12. ^ "Willie Telavi the new prime minister in Tuvalu". Radio New Zealand. 24 December 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Island declares emergency rule". The Independent. 15 January 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Composition du gouvernement des îles Tuvalu", French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, 23 September 2011
  15. ^ "Tuvalu opposition votes out government". RNZ. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  16. ^ Evan Wasuka & Alan Weedon (19 September 2019). "Pacific climate change champion Enele Sopoaga is no longer Tuvalu's PM — so who's next in?". ABC News. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  17. ^ "Kausea Natano new PM of Tuvalu; Sopoaga ousted". Radio New Zealand. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  18. ^ Colin Packham & Jonathan Barrett (19 September 2019). "Tuvalu changes PM, adds to concerns over backing for Taiwan in Pacific". Reuters. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  19. ^ Pareti, Samisoni (16 September 2019). "Natano gets PM nomination". Islands Business. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  20. ^ "New Tuvalu PM will not attend UN Climate Summit in New York". PACNEWS. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Standard Operating Procedure for International Travel to Tuvalu" (PDF). Government of Tuvalu. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Tuvalu: 2023 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Tuvalu". International Monetary Fund Country Report No. 2023/267. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  23. ^ "Tuvalu: 2023 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Tuvalu". International Monetary Fund Country Report No. 2023/267. 21 July 2023. p. 4. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  24. ^ a b "World Bank Provides US$11.5 Million Grant to Boost Tuvalu's Climate and Disaster Resilience, Preparedness, and Response". World Bank Press Release No: 2024/001/EAP. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  25. ^ a b Needham, Kirsty (27 January 2024). "Tuvalu's pro-Taiwan leader loses seat in national election". Reuters. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Tuvalu's pro-Taiwan leader loses seat in national election". ABC News. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  27. ^ Bouadze, Levan (6 December 2022). "Groundbreaking ceremony in Funafuti for Tuvalu's coastal adaptation". UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  28. ^ Simon Kofe and Jess Marinaccio (21 September 2023). "Tuvalu Constitution updated: culture, climate change and decolonisation". DevPolicyBlog - Development Policy Centre. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  29. ^ "Constitution of Tuvalu" (PDF). Government of Tuvalu. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  30. ^ "EDO's expert assistance to Tuvalu Constitutional Reform Project: Interview with Dr Bal Kama". Environmental Defenders Office. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  31. ^ Buchanan, Kelly (29 September 2023). "Tuvalu: Constitutional Amendment Enshrines Statehood in Perpetuity in Response to Climate Change". Law Library of Congress. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  32. ^ "Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the Face of Climate Change-related Sea-Level Rise". Pacific Islands Forum. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  33. ^ Kofe, Simon (10 November 2021). "Tuvalu's Future Now Project: preparing for climate change in the worst-case scenario". DevPolicyBlog - Development Policy Centre. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  34. ^ "Tuvalu parliament picks new PM in potential blow for Taiwan". Al Jazeera. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Tuvalu's pro-Taiwan leader loses seat in closely watched election". Al Jazeera. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  36. ^ "Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty". Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  37. ^ a b "Joint Statement on the Falepili Union between Tuvalu and Australia". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  38. ^ Daniel Hurst and Josh Butler (10 November 2023). "Australia to offer residency to Tuvalu citizens displaced by climate change". The Guardian. The Guardian Australia. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  39. ^ "LCT 'Moeiteava' Christened And Commissioned". Tuvalu Paradise - Issue No. 06/2021. 29 January 2021. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kausea Natano.
Political offices Preceded byEnele Sopoaga Prime Minister of Tuvalu 2019–present Incumbent
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