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 2022. In 2023, Solomon Island ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
TPNW Status
| TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compatibility in 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (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 (2022) |
| Participated in 1MSP (2022) | 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 |
| 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
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.
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.
At the Tenth Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in August 2022, the Pacific Small Island Developing States, of which Solomon Islands is a member, delivered a joint statement which said: “We are gravely concerned about the serious shortfalls in the implementation of Article VI of the NPT although the nuclear weapon states have spent billions of dollars on modernizing and maintaining their nuclear arsenals. This amount could have been better spent on helping victims of past use and testing of nuclear weapons, fighting the global pandemic of Covid-19 and on the sustainable development goals.” The statement also said that ‘Despite the unfortunate recent behavior, following the invasion of Ukraine, and hinting at their possible use, there is hope’, and noted the entry into force of the TPNW and the convening of the Treaty's First Meeting of States Parties (1MSP).1
Recommendations
- Solomon Islands should urgently adhere to the TPNW.
- Solomon Islands should conclude and bring into force an Additional Protocol with the IAEA, and upgrade to a Modified Small Quantities Protocol