REMARKS: Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa at RMI Depositing of Signature to the Rarotonga Treaty

Honourable Prime Minister
Honourable Ministers 
Hon. Anthony Muller
Hon.  Senator Daisy Alik-Momotaro 
Senior Officials
CROP Colleagues and partners 
Marshall Islands Student Association

Ekamawir omo, Iakwe, and Bula Vinaka,

I welcome and thank you all for gathering here.

We are gathered to be part of a moment of history – to witness the Republic of Marshall Islands’ deposit of signature instrument to the Rarotonga Treaty.

The Rarotonga Treaty is the region’s contribution to nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament, peace and security.

The Treaty was born out of the region’s firsthand experience with nuclear testing conducted in some of our Forum Member countries, including the Marshall Islands.  

Last month, I was privileged and honoured to join Her Excellency, Hilde Heine, President of Marshall Islands, to witness the historical signing of the Rarotonga Treaty in Majuro.

By becoming a signatory, the Marshall Islands has indicated its intention to be bound by the Treaty with a view to future ratification.

Marshall Islands’ signature reinforces the region’s collective stand towards a nuclear-free Pacific as envisioned in our 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

We have heard at our meeting yesterday and today, that we are the custodians of the Blue Pacific Ocean, and we depend on the ocean for our livelihood, survival and development aspirations. The onus is on us to making sure that the bounty and beauty of our land and sea remains the heritage of our people and their descendants into perpetuity and to be enjoyed by all in peace.

The Rarotonga Treaty is our “beacon of hope” to ensuring our region is free of environmental pollution by radioactive wastes and other radioactive matter.

I, as Secretary General, urge all remaining non-Party Forum Members to consider becoming State Parties to the Rarotonga Treaty.

As depositary to the Treaty, while I am legally obligated to receive the Marshall Islands’ signature instrument, I am  truly excited to be receiving it today, given that I was present at the signature.

Honourable Prime Minister, Ministers, Excellencies, and Senior Officials, in the spirit of solidarity and support to the Government and people of Marshall Islands, I thank you again for joining us today.  

I again extend my congratulations to the Government and people of Marshall Islands for taking the bold and historical step of signing the Rarotonga Treaty.

I renew my full commitment as depositary to the Treaty and I look forward to working with the Marshall Islands, all the State Parties and also all eligible Forum Members in advancing the purposes of the Treaty.

Let us make every effort possible to moving closer to our shared goal for a nuclear free world and a nuclear free Pacific.

May God bless our beloved Blue Pacific continent.

Kommol Tata, I thank you.