Nauru and Australia have strengthened their long-standing cooperation by signing a $388 million (US$250 million) Memorandum of Understanding to support the third-country resettlement of a “special cohort” through long-term stay visas in Nauru. This agreement establishes the Nauru Trust Fund 2, a dedicated capital investment to sustain the 30-year resettlement arrangement. The fund is separate from a one-off $20 million (US$12.98 million) establishment fee and additional annual operational payments.
Deputy Minister for Internal Affairs Tawaki Kam, representing the Nauru Government, emphasized that the arrangement reflects the deep and ongoing partnership between Nauru and Australia. He noted that the MOU reaffirms both countries’ commitment to humane, lawful, and mutually respectful management of migration and settlement, while the creation of the second Trust Fund strengthens Nauru’s economic resilience.
Kam also highlighted that resettled individuals in Nauru will be treated fairly and with dignity, enjoying freedom of movement, equal treatment, and access to essential services in line with Nauru’s international obligations and human rights commitments. The initiative aligns with Nauru’s broader goal of securing long-term stability and opportunities for future generations.
The new MOU underscores Nauru’s role as a key regional partner for Australia in migration management, while simultaneously bolstering its own economic resilience through strategic funding and investment, contributing to a sustainable future for the nation.
