Ideally, multilateral comprehensive agreements would provide where, and on what legal basis such populations would be permitted to move elsewhere and their status. To prevent temporary statelessness, acquisition of an effective nationality should be foreseen prior to the dissolution of the affected State. Dual nationality may therefore need to be permitted at least for a transitional period. As well, a waiver may be required of formal requirements for renunciation or acquisition of nationality which might be difficult to fulfil for affected populations. Such arrangements would need to provide inter alia for the right of residence, military obligations, health care, pensions and other social security benefits. Citizens of affected States that might have been displaced earlier, possibly to third States not party to the agreement, may also need to be considered. Provision should also be made to ensure that any resettlement be environmentally, socially and economically viable and sustainable over the longer term. Further, the principle of family unity should be considered and due regard given to permitting the affected populations to protect their identity as a people, including their language, culture, history and traditions. The early introduction of educational and other measures to prepare for such displacement, such as labour migration schemes, could serve not only to increase the resilience and ability to adapt in the host country, but also provide further resources and reinforce the resilience of the population remaining on the islands. Although complete relocation of the entire population would be a measure of last resort, early preparedness could also help avert a humanitarian catastrophe by promoting orderly movements of affected populations and increasing the viability of the move. Such arrangements would ideally be elaborated on the basis of participatory involvement of the population as well as the Government of affected island States. Other interested States, and relevant organizations and agencies could be involved as partners, with due account being taken of existing links with other States. To this end, recognition would be required inter alia in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that external displacement will be inevitable and that statelessness may arise as a consequence of climate change, particularly in the case of low-lying island States. Funding should be made available at an early stage to prepare for prevention of statelessness and for displacement and/or migration as a possible adaptation measure. In view of its mandate to engage in preventive actions related to statelessness, UNHCR would be pleased to support efforts by States to devise appropriate solutions for potentially affected populations, in partnership with other actors. 3