The Republic of Nauru was admitted as the 187th member state of the United Nations in September 1999, and subsequently established its Permanent Mission in January 2000. His Excellency Ambassador Vinci Niel Clodumar became the first Permanent Representative of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations (Dec. 1999- February 2005).
The admission of Nauru as a Permanent Member of the United Nations represents the culmination of many years of work towards securing a recognised voice and place in the international community. Nauru's involvement in the United Nations spans issues relating to global warming, rising sea-levels, nuclear testing, Pacific aid, development and measures designed to combat international terrorism. Nauru has also been a vocal supporter of human rights and self-determination for its Pacific neighbours.
The country's participation in the United Nations is underlined by its Mission's contribution, at the direction of Ambassador Clodumar, to international security and legal issues as well as strong involvement in matters concerning the Pacific region.
In July 2001, Ambassador Clodumar became the Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum Group in New York. The Ambassador played an important role in improving the cohesiveness and profile of the group, and the Pacific region in general, on the international stage.
Ambassador Clodumar secured the extensive cooperation of representatives from the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) to achieve significant input in negotiations within the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Committee on Sustainable Development (CSD). Under the Chairmanship of Ambassador Clodumar, the Pacific Islands Forum Group in New York secured its first resolution on Cooperation with the United Nations and opened up a dialogue with the United States and agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to highlight the range assistance needs for the Pacific region.
As a result of its admission to the United Nations, Nauru's Permanent Mission has facilitated a wider and more effective coverage of issues in the Pacific as well as raising the profile of groups and Missions representing the region.
The Permanent Mission of Nauru Office is also the Embassy of Nauru.