As a result of worries that the island would be flooded, Tuvalu Island intends to establish itself as the first digital nation in the world.
The South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu has embraced Web3 technology to safeguard the continuity of its cultural heritage as its population rises.
Nine islands make up the Republic of Tuvalu, which are situated halfway between Hawaii and Australia. There are 12,000 people living in extreme poverty on the islands. The island is classified by the UN as being extremely vulnerable to climate change. There is worry that the island will become submerged in the ocean due to rising sea levels.
At the COP27 climate summit on November 15, the nation's foreign minister, Simon Kofe, declared that the government is looking for alternate strategies to protect the nation's cultural heritage from the escalating sea levels brought on by climate change. Replicating itself in the metaverse is one of those strategies.
As highlighted by Minister Hon @Simon_Kofe in his speech to 🌍 leaders at #COP27 we have had to act. As rising sea levels threaten to submerge our home we have made a radical plan for the survival of our nation. Visit https://t.co/AKOS8iul64
— Tuvalu Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@Tuvalu_MJCFA) November 15, 2022
Save #Tuvalu. Save the world. pic.twitter.com/P8HMkwz4i7
Kofe declared in a video broadcast:
“As our land disappears we have no choice but to become the world’s first digital nation.”
At high tide, up to 40% of the country's capital area is reportedly submerged, and by the end of the century, the entire nation is predicted to be under water.
Tuvalu will establish itself as the first digital nation in the metaverse as it grows. The land, ocean, and culture of the country, according to Kofe, are its most priceless assets, and no matter what happens in the real world, they will be safeguarded in the cloud. Kofe went on to say:
“Islands like this one won’t survive rapid temperature increases, rising sea levels, and droughts, so that we will recreate them virtually.”
Nations that Have Integrated the Metaverse
Even if Tuvalu might be the first independent state to establish itself in the metaverse, other countries have already started their own digital frontier excursions.
Barbados, a small island nation in the Caribbean, became the first country to open an embassy in the Decentraland metaverse in 2021. An Australian indigenous tribe made plans to open an embassy in the metaverse earlier this year.
Services in the metaverse are now being provided by other countries. On virtual ground, the United Arab Emirates built a new Ministry of Economy headquarters.
Seongnam, a city in South Korea, too has aspirations to reconstruct itself there. Additionally, NFT identification will give individuals access to municipal data and services.
Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has also disclosed plans to establish a metaverse where people can meet with avatar officials to discuss civil complaints and consultations.
