Pacific Islands Forum leaders commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Rarotonga, reaffirming their commitment to a nuclear-free Pacific. They urged the United States and other non-signatories to endorse the treaty. In a commemorative statement, leaders highlighted ongoing nuclear-related issues, emphasizing the need to update the treaty in response to emerging challenges. Over the years, Pacific nations have highlighted the suffering due to nuclear tests and continue to advocate for nuclear disarmament.
The Treaty of Rarotonga, signed 40 years ago, prohibits the manufacture, testing, and deployment of nuclear weapons in the region. Recent tensions over treated wastewater from Fukushima also underscored the region’s united stance on nuclear safety and environmental protection. The Pacific Community is actively working to develop long-term strategies to manage nuclear-related discharges, aligning with international bases with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Forum leaders extended solidarity to communities historically affected by nuclear testing, emphasizing a collective need for recognition and remediation. They revisited past grievances, particularly the U.S. Nuclear Testing Program impacts on the Marshall Islands, seeking resolution and justice. There’s a mutual call for global cooperation towards nuclear disarmament through treaties like the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The meeting highlighted a shared vision for the Pacific as a geopolitical peaceful zone, tying the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent into current and future initiatives. Leaders aspire for a secure region free from nuclear and environmental threats, ensuring long-term protection for the health, environment, and heritage of the Pacific. Such gatherings provide a beacon of hope and unity, aiming for sustainable development and justice for past nuclear atrocities.
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