Australia has offered climate refuge to residents from the Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu as part of a landmark agreement.
With a population of just 12,000, nestled in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia, Tuvalu is disproportionately affected by rising sea levels caused by the climate crisis.
The Australian government announced on Friday that it would provide assistance in response to a majornatural disaster, health pandemic or military aggression.
Residents of the islands will be allowed to live, work and study in Australia.
Under the treaty announced by Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Tuvalu counterpart Kausea Natano, Australia will also vet Tuvalu's security arrangements with other nations.
Mr Albanese said it was Australia's most significant agreement with a Pacific Island nation, giving "a guarantee that upon a request from Tuvalu for any military assistance based upon security issues, Australia will be there."
Under the treaty, "both countries commit to mutually agree any partnership, arrangement or engagement with any other state or entity on security and defence related matters in Tuvalu," Mr Albanese said in a press conference on the sidelines of a Pacific leaders meeting in the Cook Islands.
An Australian government official said this requirement covered any defence, police, port, telecommunications, energy or cyber security arrangements by Tuvalu.
Australia will allow 280 people a year to migrate from Tuvalu.
Mr Natano said Tuvalu had requested the treaty to "safeguard and support each other as we face the existential threat of climate change and geostrategic challenges".
The annual cap on visas would ensure migration to Australia "does not cause brain drain", he added.
"The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili union will be regarded as a significant day in which Australia acknowledged that we are part of the Pacific family," Mr Albanese said.
