Join us for a special address delivered by ANU Alumnus The Hon Feleti Penitala Teo, Prime Minister of Tuvalu who will be speaking on the existential threat caused by rising sea levels due to climate change. Prime Minister Teo will also highlight the resilience of Tuvaluans as they adopt ingenious techniques to combat rising sea levels emphasise the need for action from the global community to address climate change.

Following the address, there will be a brief Q&A session moderated by Salā Dr George Carter, Director of ANU Pacific Institute.

Speaker biography

The Hon Feleti Penitala Teo, Prime Minister of Tuvalu

Hon. Feleti Penitala Teo is the Prime Minister of Tuvalu and currently the Chair of the Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS) group. He was a seasoned senior regional bureaucrat before he became a politician.

Prime Minister Teo was elected unopposed as the 14th Prime Minister of Tuvalu in February 2024 after a month of becoming a Member of Parliament for Niutao. Prior to his regional public service, Prime Minister Teo was the Attorney General of Tuvalu from January 1991 to November 2000. He was the first law graduate for Tuvalu in 1986.

Prime Minister Teo holds a Master of Law degree from the Australian National University in 1996; a Certificate in Government Legal Advisor Course from the University of London in 1990; and a bachelor’s degree of law from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1986. For his public services he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2013.

Dr George Carter, Director of the ANU Pacific Institute

George Carter is Senior Fellow and Deputy Head of the Department of Pacific Affairs at The Australian National University (ANU). He is the Director for the ANU Pacific Institute and cluster lead on Climate Security, and Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge at ANU Institute of Climate Change Energy and Disaster.

His research explores the interplay of international politics and security, with climate change, through the influence and authority/power of Islands. His current work also involves advancing Pacific aeroSpace sector, industry and ecosystem.

George’s research and teaching ‘tautua’ are influenced by his work experience and education in the Pacific, and grounded by his Samoan, Tuvaluan, i-Kiribati, Chinese and British heritage. He is from Samoa, and serves his community and aiga where he holds the high chief title of Salā.

Additional information:

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