Post-World War II – transition to independence

The formation of the United Nations after World War II resulted in the United Nations Special
Committee on Decolonization committing to a process of decolonisation; as a consequence, the
British colonies in the Pacific started on a path to self-determination.[73][74]

In 1974, ministerial government was introduced to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony through
a change to the Constitution. In that year a general election was held,[75] and a referendum was
held in December 1974 to determine whether the Gilbert Islands and Ellice Islands should each
have their own administration.[76] As a consequence of the referendum, separation occurred in
two stages. The Tuvaluan Order 1975, which took effect on 1 October 1975, recognised Tuvalu
as a separate British dependency with its own government. The second stage occurred on 1
January 1976, when separate administrations were created out of the civil service of the Gilbert
and Ellice Islands Colony.[77][78]

Elections to the House of Assembly of the British Colony of Tuvalu were held on 27 August
1977, with Toaripi Lauti being appointed Chief Minister in the House of Assembly of the Colony
of Tuvalu on 1 October 1977. The House of Assembly was dissolved in July 1978, with the
government of Toaripi Lauti continuing as a caretaker government until the 1981 elections were
held.[79] Toaripi Lauti became the first Prime Minister on 1 October 1978, when Tuvalu became
an independent nation.[73][80]

Tuvalu became fully independent within the Commonwealth on 1 October 1978. On 5

September 2000, Tuvalu became the 189th member of the United Nations.