Pacific Leaders mark 40 years of the Treaty of Rarotonga

This morning, Prime Minister Mark Brown hosted a commemorative breakfast at The Islander Hotel to mark the 40th anniversary of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty – also known as the Treaty of Rarotonga, reaffirming the Pacific’s enduring commitment to peace.

The intimate gathering brought together regional leaders and diplomatic representatives from some of the Parties to the Treaty, including His Excellency Moetai Brotherson, President of French Polynesia; the Honourable Dalton Tagelagi, Prime Minister of Niue; the Honourable Rennier Gadabu of Nauru; Her Excellency Susannah Hodson, Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands; and Her Excellency Catherine Graham, New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands. Other Parties to the Treaty but who were not in Rarotonga today include Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

“On 6 August 1985, Pacific Leaders gathered here in Rarotonga to take a decisive stand, declaring our region free from nuclear weapons, nuclear testing, and the dumping of nuclear waste”, said Prime Minister Brown in his opening remarks. “Regionally, it was a beacon of hope and a bold statement of unity and determination, ensuring that our peoples, our lands, and our moana would be safeguarded and remain the heritage of our people in perpetuity.”

The Prime Minister reflected on the global significance of the date, noting that this August 6th also coincides with 80 years since the first use of a nuclear weapon in warfare, in Hiroshima, deepening the relevance of the Treaty’s vision for global peace. He emphasised that the Treaty remains one of the Pacific’s most influential contributions to global peace and security. Promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and serving as a model for other regions around the world.

Participants also acknowledged the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ recent signing of the Treaty in March 2025, noting that RMI will formally join the other Parties upon completion of its ratification process. “The recent signing by the Republic of the Marshall Islands is a testament to the ongoing relevance of this Treaty,” said Prime Minister Brown, “and we encourage all states who have not done so to follow their example, through ratification of the Rarotonga Treaty.”

Acknowledging the shifting nature of global threats, Prime Minister Brown stressed the importance of keeping the Treaty active and responsive to Pacific priorities. “The world has changed since 1985, and with it, the challenges and risks to our region. It’s vital that we breathe new life into the instrument’s provisions, keep its language current, and ensure its principles are put into practice.”

The morning’s gathering was further enriched by remarks from regional Leaders and dignitaries, who paid tribute to the courage and foresight of Pacific Leaders in 1985.

President Brotherson, who is also the Minister for the consequences of nuclear tests, spoke of the suffering that is still felt as a result of the testing carried out in French Polynesia. He also shared that French Polynesia would soon open a memorial centre, to ensure that future generations also learn about the nuclear legacy.

Prime Minister Tagelagi reflected on the profound legacy of the Treaty, that continues to protect the region today, while Nauru’s Minister Gadabu acknowledged President Hammer DeRoburt’s role in signing the Treaty on Nauru’s behalf. Minister Gadabu also recognised the Cook Islands’ ongoing role in bringing the region together, describing both the signing 40 years ago, and this morning’s event, as a reflection of the country’s convening power.

High Commissioner Hodson reaffirmed Australia’s pride in being a Party to the Treaty, and emphasised the importance of honouring this milestone here in Rarotonga, where it all began.

High Commissioner Graham offered a personal reflection of the time, recalling her childhood in New Zealand when then-Prime Minister David Lange travelled to Rarotonga to sign the Treaty. Her class, inspired by the moment, recorded a song and sent it to U.S. President Ronald Reagan, a memory that underscored the Treaty’s reach and impact beyond just policy and politics.

As the region moves forward under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the Treaty of Rarotonga stands as a powerful demonstration of Pacific-led action. Born from a shared past, sustained by present commitment, and essential to the region’s future.

Prime Minister Brown closed by acknowledging the Cook Islands’ celebration of 60 years of self-governance as a timely reminder of the strength and responsibility that comes with Pacific sovereignty and unity. “The continued success of this Treaty depends on us all – Parties and Signatories, the PIF Secretariat as focal point, and even those not yet party to it. We must all actively ensure the Treaty’s full and effective operationalisation in the face of ever-evolving global threats, to ensure that the children of the Pacific inherit a future that is defined by our choices and actions today.”