Nauru offers citizenship for $105,000, providing visa-free access to 89 countries. The initiative aims to raise funds for relocating residents due to rising sea levels, under the Higher Ground Initiative. Despite past scandals, the government promises rigorous vetting to prevent misuse of the program, hoping to strengthen its economy while addressing urgent climate risks.
Nauru, a tiny Pacific island nation, offers citizenship for $105,000, which provides visa-free access to 89 countries, including the UK and UAE. This initiative aims to raise $5.6 million annually to combat climate change and fund the relocation of 90% of its 12,500 residents to higher ground as rising sea levels threaten their future.
Under the Higher Ground Initiative, launched in November 2024, Nauru seeks to relocate vulnerable infrastructure to higher elevations, increase local food production, and restore natural habitats. This proactive approach to climate action is crucial for national security according to President David Adeang.
Nauru’s ‘golden passport’ program includes options for unrestricted dual citizenship with no minimum stay requirements. It aims for revenue scaling up to $42 million annually, potentially making up 19% of the national government revenue. However, while similar schemes in other countries have raised funds for climate resilience, they often face scrutiny for potential criminal misuse.
Nauru’s past attempts at selling citizenship were tainted by scandals, such as the arrest of two individuals linked to Al Qaeda in 2003. The government has promised rigorous vetting to ensure participants meet high standards and are not from high-risk countries like Russia and North Korea, according to CEO Edward Clark of the Higher Ground Initiative.
Nauru, covering only 21 square kilometers and home to around 11,000 people, has struggled economically since phosphate mining degraded 80% of its land. This environmental damage has heightened Nauru’s vulnerability to climate effects, putting its coastal populations at significant risk. Researcher Tyrone Deiye emphasized that with indigenous people owning most of the land, losses from climate events will be devastating, making sustainable solutions to Nauru’s predicament more urgent than ever.
Nauru’s innovative citizenship program underscores the island’s urgent need to address climate change while simultaneously generating revenue. Offering visa-free travel to numerous countries, the initiative has the potential to significantly impact Nauru’s economy as it seeks to relocate its vulnerable population. Nevertheless, ethical and legal considerations associated with previous citizenship sales raise important questions about the future effectiveness of such schemes.
Original Source: news.abplive.com
