Vietnam and Tuvalu Forge Diplomatic Ties in Historic Move

Historic Diplomatic Establishment

In a significant development for international relations, Vietnam and Tuvalu officially established diplomatic ties on September 24, 2025. The landmark agreement was formalized in New York with the signing of a joint communiqué by Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Le Hoai Trung and Tuvaluan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade Paulson Panapa.

This establishment of relations is particularly noteworthy for Vietnam, as it signifies the country's successful endeavor to forge diplomatic connections with all 193 member states of the United Nations.

Foundations for Future Cooperation

Following the signing ceremony, both officials engaged in discussions regarding the future trajectory of bilateral relations. They affirmed that this joint communiqué represents a historic milestone, laying a crucial foundation for cooperation between the two nations.

Key areas identified for potential collaboration include:

• Blue economy
• Tourism
• Education

Both countries also committed to working closely together within various multilateral forums where they hold membership.

Preceding Discussions and Shared Interests

The formal establishment of ties follows earlier high-level discussions. On June 9, 2025, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) in Nice, France.

During this meeting, Prime Minister Chinh expressed Vietnam's desire for the swift establishment of diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Teo, in turn, highlighted the challenges faced by the South Pacific island nation, particularly those related to climate change and rising sea levels, expressing a keen interest in enhanced cooperation with Vietnam in these critical areas.

Tuvalu: A Pacific Island Nation

Tuvalu is characterized as a small island nation located in the South Pacific. It operates under a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, with the British monarch serving as Head of State, represented by a Governor-General, and the Prime Minister as Head of Government. The country is an active member of several international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Commonwealth, and various Pacific regional bodies such as the Pacific Community Secretariat.