LONDON, England (August 15, 2000 – Radio Australia)---The South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu will become a full member of the Commonwealth on September 1.

Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon made the announcement in London.

Mr. McKinnon said the 54-nations of the Commonwealth have unanimously agreed to Tuvalu's membership.

Tuvalu has been a special member of the Club of Britain and its former colonies since it achieved independence in 1978. But it wants full membership to reflect its growing involvement in world affairs.