Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands voted in favour of adopting the TPNW at the UN Diplomatic Conference in 2017 and has consistently voted in favour of the annual UN General Assembly resolutions on the Treaty, including in 2023. Solomon Islands maintains policies and practices that are compatible with all of the prohibitions in Article 1 of the TPNW, and can therefore sign and ratify or accede to the Treaty without the need for a change in conduct. On 20 January 2023, Solomon Island ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
TPNW Status
| TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compatibility in 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Compatible |
| Test | Compatible | |
| Possess or stockpile | Compatible | |
| (b) | Transfer | Compatible |
| (c) | Receive transfer or control | Compatible |
| (d) | Use | Compatible |
| Threaten to use | Compatible | |
| (e) | Assist, encourage or induce | Compatible |
| (f) | Seek or receive assistance | Compatible |
| (g) | Allow stationing, installation, deployment | Compatible |
| TPNW voting and participation | |
|---|---|
| UNGA resolution on TPNW (latest vote) | Voted yes (2023) |
| Participated in 2MSP (2023) | No |
| 1MSP delegation size (% women) | N/A |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Voted yes |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) | Yes |
| Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Did not vote |
| Other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) treaties | |
|---|---|
| Party to an NWFZ | Yes (Ratified 1987, Rarotonga) |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Acceded 1981) |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2023) |
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Acceded 1981) |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Acceded 2004) |
| IAEA safeguards and fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Safeguards agreement | Yes (17 Jun 1993) |
| 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
During the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly in September 2023, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, called for compensation for those harmed as a result of nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands, French Polynesia and Kiribati. He noted that Pacific islanders never consented to having approximately 300 nuclear devices detonated in their region by the United States, United Kingdom and France. ‘The nuclear footprint of big powers in the Pacific is intrinsically carved into our history and genes,’ he said. ‘Certain populations to this day continue to suffer from health issues because of nuclear testing and dumping in the Pacific.’ He added that ‘our commitment to keep our blue Pacific continent nuclear-free is non-negotiable’.1.
At a public forum in the Solomon Islands in October 2023, Prime Minister Sogavare was asked whether his government would sign and ratify the TPNW. He responded that he would look into the matter and noted the Solomon Islands’ strong stance, over many years, against nuclear testing and the disposal of radioactive waste in the Pacific.2
In April 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands convened a workshop, in partnership with ICAN, to consider accession to the TPNW. Participants included representatives from various government departments and agencies.
Recommendations
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Solomon Islands should urgently adhere to the TPNW.
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Solomon Islands should conclude and bring into force an Additional Protocol with the IAEA, and upgrade to a Modified Small Quantities Protocol