On 20 September 1979, in Tarawa, the United States and the newly independent Republic of Kiribati sign the Treaty of Friendship (Treaty of Tarawa), by which Washington recognises Kiribati sovereignty over fourteen islands it had previously claimed.

The islands include Canton (Kanton), Enderbury, Hull (Orona), Christmas (Kiritimati) and others in the Phoenix and Line groups. The treaty provides for consultations on security and development, fisheries cooperation and protection of natural and cultural resources; future US use of facilities on Canton, Enderbury and Hull requires further agreements.

Entry into force: 23 September 1983, by exchange of ratification instruments at Suva. Article 1 (sovereignty recognition) may not be terminated.

Together with British cessations of claim, the treaty ended the Canton–Enderbury condominium.

For the South Pacific, 20 September 1979 marks the Tarawa signature.

The text appears in UNTS and diplomatic archives.

The Treaty of Tarawa of 20 September 1979 remains the Kiribati sovereignty-recognition milestone.

Image: Tarawa / Pacific; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Treaty of Tarawa. Treaty text: Treaty of Friendship US–Kiribati (text).