Issue 22/2024, News
Tuvalu, a small state in the Pacific Ocean, is moving to the cloud
Dec
Tuvalu, a small state in the Pacific Ocean, is moving to the cloud On the world map, Tuvalu is just a few dots lost in the vast waters of the southern Pacific, but in the face of climate change, this tiny country has become a symbol of global dilemmas and extraordinary challenges. Rising ocean levels not only threaten the physical existence of Tuvalu but also force a redefinition of the concept of statehood. In response to the inevitable reality, Tuvalu is taking pioneering steps: creating a digital replica of its state.
Surviving the island paradise
Tuvalu, located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, in Polynesia, is one of the smallest and most isolated countries in the world. It consists of nine coral islands, mostly atolls, with a total area of just 26 km². The country is inhabited by about 12,000 people, making it one of the least populated nations globally. Tuvalu’s capital, Funafuti, is situated on one of the atolls of the same name.
Due to its low elevation – the highest point of the islands is only 4.6 m above sea level – Tuvalu is particularly vulnerable to the effects of rising ocean levels. According to a NASA report from June 2023, the water level around Tuvalu has risen by 15 cm over the last 30 years, and forecasts indicate a further increase of 20-30 cm by 2050. Today, the country is experiencing coastal erosion, high soil salinity, and increasingly frequent storms. Aware of the inevitability of these changes, the government of Tuvalu has started actions that go far beyond traditional measures.
Does Digital Nation mean digital sovereignty?
In 2022, in front of world leaders gathered at COP27 in Egypt, Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister, Simon Kofe, presented a vision that redefines the concept of statehood. The Digital Nation project is not just a technological experiment but a desperate response to the dramatic climate challenges. Threatened with complete submersion, Tuvalu decided to move its heritage to the digital world – a place where time and geography lose their meaning.
Our land, our ocean, our culture are the most precious assets of our people – and to ensure their safety, regardless of what happens in the physical world, we will move them to the cloud – Simon Kofe.
As part of the pioneering Digital Nation project, the residents of Tuvalu have been invited to co-create the digital legacy of their country. This initiative is not just a technological venture but also a deeply emotional process that allows every citizen to contribute to the construction of a virtual national memory. Digital copies of beloved objects, family photos, and personal stories – all these elements become part of a collective archive that not only preserves the culture of Tuvalu but also cements its identity in the face of an uncertain future. In this way, the residents not only document the past but collectively create a bridge to a world where tradition and modernity merge to survive despite the forces of nature.
Law, sovereignty, and technology in the digital world
The Digital Nation project opens a new chapter in the global debate on sovereignty and international law. Tuvalu, threatened with inevitable submersion, is entering an unprecedented path, redefining what a state can be in the digital era. The virtual version of the country not only aims to ensure the continuity of state functions – such as elections or citizen registration – but also changes the way we think about boundaries and national identity. Digital passports based on blockchain technology play a key role in this vision, ensuring citizens access to rights and services, no matter where they are located.
This initiative is more than an act of survival – it is a bold voice in the global discussion about the future of statehood in a world increasingly marked by climate crises. Tuvalu’s decision inspires questions about how technology can support communities in the toughest moments and whether digital adaptation will become the new standard for countries threatened by extreme events. Before our eyes, Tuvalu is not only fighting for its identity but also challenging traditional definitions of statehood, becoming a symbol of courage and innovation in a world full of uncertainty.
Main photo: Davidarfonjones, CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
