Overview

• Leaders from New Caledonia and the French government signed the agreement near Paris on July 12 after ten days of negotiations.
• The deal establishes a sui generis “State of New Caledonia” within the French Constitution and creates a Caledonian nationality alongside French citizenship.
• Under the accord, residents with at least ten years of residency will gain voting rights on the local electoral roll beginning with the 2031 provincial elections.
• France has committed to an economic and financial recovery pact prioritizing support for New Caledonia’s strategically vital nickel industry.
• The accord now requires approval by both chambers of the French Parliament later this year and a February 2026 referendum and has drawn both wide political support and criticism from some pro-independence figures for lacking a clear mandate.