Bilateral and Multilateral Co-operation

During the years of prosperity before depletion of their phosphate reserves, Nauru did not maintain agreements with many multilateral organisations. Since losing their main source of industry and economic prosperity, Nauru has developed ties with a variety of international organisations, especially those seeking aid for the rehabilitation of land destroyed by mining. As a member of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Nauru receives support and grant funding for public finance management, state-owned enterprise reform and private sector development. The World Health Organisation provides technical assistance and support for food safety, nutrition and agricultural development programmes. Nauru is also a member of various multilateral organisations, including the Pacific Islands Forum, Forum Fisheries Agency, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the Commonwealth, the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS).

Similarly the country’s bilateral relations have also evolved, with many of them now focusing on aid. The Nauru-Australia Partnership for Development focuses on improving healthcare, education, public service and private sector, as well as providing a substantial amount of money yearly in accordance with the Nauru Settlement Treaty to be used for land development.  Aid and support for agricultural programmes and micro-finance development come from Taiwan’s International Co-operation and Development Fund.