Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Kiribati were established in 2008. Turkish Embassy in Canberra is accredited to Kiribati.

No bilateral high-level visit between Türkiye and Kiribati has been conducted so far. On the other hand, Kouraiti Beniato, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Kiribati, attended the Türkiye-Pacific Islands Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting held on 9-11 April 2008 in Istanbul.

H.E. Anote Tong, former President and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Kiribati, attended the Türkiye-Pacific Small Islands Developing States Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting on 7-8 June 2014 in Istanbul.

Minister for Finance and Economic Development the Hon. Minister Dr. Teuea Toatu attended the World Humanitarian Summit held in Istanbul on 23-24 May 2016.

Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Island countries. The country faces economic difficulties due to the scarcity of agricultural land, infertile lands and limited natural resources.

Kiribati is heavily dependent on foreign aid, which is estimated between %30-35 of the budget revenues. Due to the limited resouces and limited domestic production, Kiribati imports nearly all of its essential foodstuffs and manufactured items, most of which are financed by external resources. Fishing and algae exports, as well as fees from tourism and fishing licenses, are other sources of revenue.

As an island nation in the Pacific, Kiribati is very vulnerable to climate change and this issue has been a central part of its international policy. It is one of the first countries in danger of becoming uninhabitable due to climate change and global warming.