For the first time in history, a country is having to plan for the worst case scenario of remaining a functioning nation with no land.

As climate change displaces its people, the true innovation of this project lies in using new technologies to enable a threatened country to continue to govern and connect its citizens.

“We need some sort of framework or platform that ensures we are coordinated as a government, as a people, and able to manage our resources, and our sovereign assets. We are fortunate that the technology exists for us to achieve these things” - Minister Kofe

Despite the excitement surrounding the metaverse in recent years, Tuvalu recognises that the realization of a fully interconnected metaverse will require significant progress in hardware, software, and networking infrastructure. Put simply, the promise of a true metaverse is years away.

That’s not something that’s deterred Tuvalu. Pacific cultures have always taken a multi-decade approach to planning. Tuvalu’s forward-thinking strategy towards long-term solutions are a key strength of its people.

The First Digital Nation explores how new technologies like blockchain, VR and the internet of things, might converge in the future to help Tuvalu survive.

The initiative was launched at COP27, with a recorded address from Tuvaluan Minister Simon Kofe to world leaders.

On screen, Minister Kofe appeared to address the delegates from Te Afualiku Islet, the first island that will be submerged. As the speech continued, it was revealed he was speaking from a digital recreation of the islet.

Tuvalu is facing an impossible challenge. At the current rate of global sea level rise, the entire country will be submerged by 2050.

To ensuring its sovereignty and ability to govern in the face of a worst-case scenario, Tuvalu will become the First Digital Nation.

During his address at COP27, Minister Kofe outlined the multi-phase plan, which involves gradually migrating Tuvalu's government services, culture, and history to the cloud.

This digital transformation will allow Tuvalu to retain its identity and continue to function, even after its physical land is gone.

The first step in this process, is the digitization and recording of Tuvalu's land mass, which will serve as a crucial component in its legal fight for territorial sovereignty under international law.

By harnessing the potential of the metaverse, this innovation represents a unique approach to achieving ongoing statehood, while serving as a powerful catalyst for climate mitigation efforts.

For decades Tuvalu has been a passionate advocate for addressing climate change on the global scale, fearlessly using its voice to push for meaningful action and positive change despite its limited resources.

2002 – 2015: Tuvalu participates in every United Nations Climate Change convention. Advocating loudly for climate mitigation and the lowering of carbon emissions.

2015: In the wake of news that Tuvalu will become unliveable by 2050, the country begins to explore climate adaptation strategies.

2021: After the inaction of COP26, Tuvalu embarks on a project to prepare for a worst-case scenario.

2022 – The First Digital Nation is greenlit.

2022 – The process of digitisation began with drone and typographical mapping of Te Afualiku Islet – the first island that will be submerged by rising sea levels.

2022 – A digital replica of Te Afualiku islet is completed.

November 2022 – The First Digital Nation is announced at the United Nations Climate Change Convention by Minister Simon Kofe, who addressed world leaders from the digital replica of Te Afualiku islet.

December 2022 – The Tuvaluan government makes way for the First Digital Nation by introducing amendments to their constitution. The amendments will preserve Tuvaluan territorial and maritime zones – locking down physical co-ordinates in the constitution regardless of sea level rise.

Jan 2023 – Tuvalu is currently exploring decentralised network systems like blockchain that can provide greater security and privacy for citizens when accessing The Digital Nation.

The digital migration of an entire country is a ground-breaking step, unlike anything the world has ever seen. Tuvalu is the first country to face the existential threat of climate change, so it’s the first to search for solutions. Becoming the world’s First Digital Nation is Tuvalu’s last chance to preserve its culture and protect its sovereignty.

This move will allow Tuvalu to:

- Fight for continued sovereignty by arguing in international court that a permanent digital replica of Tuvalu should be considered ‘a defined territory’.

- Preserve history, culture, and records of native species.

-Ensure ongoing protection of Tuvalu’s underwater ecological sites, and precious reef systems important in regulating the Earth’s climate.

- Facilitate the governance of a Tuvaluan diaspora by creating a virtual space where Tuvaluans can connect with each other, explore ancestry and culture, while providing new opportunities for business and commerce in various industries.

- Warn the world of what’s to come without meaningful climate action. As Minister Kofe himself says: “We live with the realities of climate change and have a responsibility to forewarn the world as to what is coming ahead.”

Tuvalu is embracing new technologies putting them on a path to remaining a functioning nation. The Digital Nation is a long-term vision that is already driving climate action globally.

The project’s launch at COP27 reached 2.1 billion people. And was covered by 359 global publications, including The New York Times and The Guardian, and the news trended on Tiktok and Twitter.

A historic loss and damage fund for nations like Tuvalu was established at COP27, and nine different nations have already agreed to officially recognise Tuvalu’s digital statehood.

In the long term, Tuvalu hopes to be granted the same affordances as any other sovereign nation. This includes continued control over its natural resources.

The people of Tuvalu see a future where they play a leading role in advocating for meaningful climate action and shaping global policies. Helping to ensure that other vulnerable countries do not face the same fate.

“Te Afualiku has great cultural significance to our country,” said Minister Kofe. “The name of the island was originally called ‘Te Afu Alii’ which is translated as ‘the sweat of the Chief’. It speaks of the harsh environmental conditions of the islands that Tuvaluans have endured for centuries and has made people resilient. It is fitting that Te Afualiku is the location from which I called upon the world to change its ways in an effort to save our future. It is my hope that through our digital nation initiative we can preserve the history, culture, and everything that islets like Te Afualiku represents for Tuvaluans.”

Minister Kofe is adamant that Tuvalu not be seen as a victim of climate change, but a leader of climate adaptation. “Although the physical island of Te Afualiku maybe threatened, the values of endurance and resilience should continue to live on in every Tuvaluan.”