Nauru parliament signs off on country's name change, referendum to come

Nauru's parliament has passed a constitutional amendment to rename the country 'Naoero'.

The proposal was initially tabled by President David Adeang in January.

In his second reading speech on 29 January, Adeang said "while the name Nauru has been recognised internationally since independence, this proposed change seeks to more faithfully honour our nation's heritage, our language, and our identity".

The 16 MPs present at Tuesday's sitting voted in support of the amendment, which required a two-thirds majority.

A national referendum will follow to complete the constitutional procedures.

The government said the name change will be reflected across national official records and symbols, and official identity regionally and internationally, including at the United Nations.

In January, the government said the name Nauru emerged because Naoero could not be properly pronounced by foreign tongues.

"[It] was changed not by our choice, but for convenience," the statement said.

"Other nations have also changed their country names to better reflect and honour their cultures and languages, and bring their people together, such as Eswatini, Türkiye, and closer to home - Chuuk."

According to New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Nauru is the world's smallest independent republic, with a population of approximately 12,000 and a land area of 21 square kilometres.