Kiribati opened its first diplomatic mission in 2002.
The choice of Suva reflected the large number of Kiribati residents in the Fijian Islands working and studying, and Suva's prominence as a regional hub for Pacific diplomacy.
In addition Sydney, Auckland, Honolulu, Seoul, Hamburg and London have I-Kiribati Honorary Consulates.
Kiribati opened an embassy in Taipei and a permanent mission to the United Nations in New York City in 2013.
However, in 2019, President Taneti Maamau decided to recognise the People’s Republic of China and as a result withdrew recognition for the Republic of China (Taiwan) thus closing the Embassy of Kiribati in Taipei.