The Pacific island nation formerly known internationally as Nauru has officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero, restoring the traditional name used by its people in a move to reaffirm the country's cultural identity and heritage.
President David Adeang announced that the government has begun notifying foreign governments and international organisations, marking the start of the formal transition.
The change will also affect other official designations. The country's international code will be updated from NRU to NRO, while citizens will now be referred to as dei-Naoero.
For many residents, the move is less about creating a new identity than formally recognising one that has always existed.
Naoero has continued to be used in local language and culture, appearing on the country's coat of arms and remaining familiar within communities despite Nauru being the name most widely used internationally.
President Adeang said the government decided not to proceed with a planned referendum after concluding that public approval was unnecessary for a name already deeply embedded in national life.
"The decision not to pursue a referendum was reached after thoughtful deliberation that Naoero is not a new name seeking acceptance by the people," Adeang said.
"It is already the identity of the people, is on the national coat of arms, and spoken in the community; and importantly is allowed by the constitution."
According to government officials, the internationally recognised name Nauru emerged during the colonial era, when foreign administrators and settlers struggled to pronounce Naoero.
Over time, the adapted version became the name used on maps, official documents and in international diplomacy.
The government argues that restoring Naoero better reflects the country's language and history while correcting a change made largely for the convenience of outsiders.
Adeang has previously described the move as a way of honouring the nation's heritage and passing that legacy on to future generations.
Naoero may be one of the world's smallest countries, with a population of about 12,000, but its history has been anything but simple.
The island was colonised by Germany and later administered by Australia before gaining independence in 1968. Vast phosphate deposits brought prosperity in the 1970s, but the decline of the industry left the country facing serious economic difficulties in later decades.
Today, the nation faces another challenge: climate change. Rising sea levels threaten parts of the low-lying island, prompting the government to explore new funding sources and long-term adaptation measures.
Naoero joins a growing list of countries seeking to reclaim traditional names or emphasise local identity on the international stage.
In recent years, Eswatini adopted its current name from Swaziland, while Türkiye successfully asked international organisations and foreign governments to use its official name.
For Naoero, the change is being presented as more than a rebranding exercise. Officials describe it as recognition of the country's original identity and a statement of national pride.
As the transition progresses, government agencies, vessels, aircraft and international records will gradually adopt the new name, ensuring Naoero is how the island nation is known both at home and abroad.
READ MORE:
Georgia has officially begun dredging works for the long-awaited Anaklia Deepwater Port after the arrival of the first dredging vessel, marking a sign...
Iran said on Monday (3 August) it is not negotiating with the U.S. over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying current talks with Oman are focused sol...
The Pacific island nation formerly known internationally as Nauru has officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero, restoring the traditional name u...
A tourist aircraft crashed near Peru's UNESCO-listed Nazca Lines on Saturday (1 August), killing all 13 people on board, authorities said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has said Tehran is not currently involved in direct talks with Washington about reopening the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were to begin on Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Saturday he would hold off on a fresh attack on Iran as long as a deal could be reached quickly to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a major wildfire in Greece on Sunday, killing two crew members as emergency services continued efforts to contain fires fuelled by extreme heat and dry conditions across Europe.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said wildfires that swept across France were now under control. Authorities warned that risks remained as Greece and Spain continued battling active blazes across parts of Europe.
France’s worst wildfire season since 1949 is stretching emergency services, raising questions about the country’s preparedness and increasing political pressure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Police have arrested six people on suspicion of arson as prosecutors investigate dozens of wildfires that have broken out across Türkiye in recent days.
Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant may continue operating at reduced capacity until Tuesday, temporarily easing pressure on the country’s electricity grid during an intense heatwave.
Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday, after years of questions over the health and well-being of the 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Indonesian rescue teams are searching for 28 people still unaccounted for, three days after a passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of Madura island.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment