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States parties

Cook Islands

The Cook Islands participated in the Second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW (2MSP) in November and December 2023, where it reiterated its ‘commitment to a safer, more peaceful world, one free from nuclear weapons’. It noted that the ‘painful nuclear testing legacy still remains fresh in the mind of many of our Pacific island neighbours’.[1]

TPNW Status

SIGNATURE
DEPOSIT WITH UNSG
4 Sep 2018 (Accession)
ENTRY INTO FORCE
22 Jan 2021
DECLARATION
Received 4 Sep 2018
TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compliance in 2023
(a) Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire Compliant
Test Compliant
Possess or stockpile Compliant
(b) Transfer Compliant
(c) Receive transfer or control Compliant
(d) Use Compliant
Threaten to use Compliant
(e) Assist, encourage or induce Compliant
(f) Seek or receive assistance Compliant
(g) Allow stationing, installation, deployment Compliant
TPNW voting and participation
UNGA resolution on TPNW (latest vote) N/A
Participated in 2MSP (2023) Yes
1MSP delegation size (% women) 1 (100%)
Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) N/A
Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) N/A
Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) N/A
Other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) treaties
Party to an NWFZ Yes (Ratified 1986, Rarotonga)
Party to the NPT Yes*
Ratified the CTBT Yes (Ratified 2005)
Party to the BWC Yes (Acceded 2008)
Party to the CWC Yes (Ratified 1994)
IAEA safeguards and fissile material
Safeguards agreement Yes (29 Feb 1972)*
TPNW Art 3(2) deadline N/A
Small Quantities Protocol Yes (Original)*
Additional Protocol No
Enrichment facilities/reprocessing plants No
HEU stocks No
Plutonium stocks No

Latest developments

At 2MSP, Cook Islands said it was proud to be among the first states to ratify the TPNW in 2018, contributing to its entry into force. It called on all States that have not yet ratified it to do so ‘as a matter of urgency’. ‘We firmly believe that what this Treaty stands for is essential for a world that respects the principles of international humanitarian law, environmental protection and global security,’ it added.2

Cook Islands also described recent threats to deploy nuclear weapons in the context of the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza as ‘deeply troubling’ and joined others in expressing concern about these ‘egregious suggestions’.3

Recommendations

  • Cook Islands should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.

  • Cook Islands should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.

* Through territorial application by New Zealand

1) https://bit.ly/3IMJTRP

2) https://bit.ly/3Ja6qtl

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