The President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, has paid tribute to Fiji for being the only country to offer his people a haven from rising sea levels.
Fiji media report Mr Tong has confirmed Kiribati paid just over eight million US dollars to a church group for a freehold piece of land on the northern island of Vanua Levu.
Food cultivation has been compromised on the atolls of Kiribati because of climate change and Mr Tong says the land in Fiji is much more suited to agriculture.
FBC News reports Mr Tong saying the land would offer food security for Kiribati in the future.
He said the decision to invest in property came out of concern at losses incurred on the international financial markets.
The broadcaster reports the President says Fiji's willingness to accommodate the people of Kiribati is very gratifying and gives his people hope there is humanity in the world.