Non-Nuclear Pacific

The Pacific became a Nuclear Free Zone with the signing of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Rarotonga, which was adopted on August 6, 1985, and entered into force on December 11, 1986. This treaty was a culmination of years of campaigning, protests, and resistance against nuclear testing in the Pacific, particularly intensified during the 1970s and 1980s. The immediate trigger for the treaty's final negotiation was the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior by French intelligence agents in July 1985, an act that galvanized Pacific leaders to sign the treaty the following month.

The primary motivation for the establishment of the Pacific as a nuclear-free zone was the widespread opposition to nuclear testing, which had significant environmental and health impacts on the region. This opposition was driven by a diverse coalition including churches, trade unions, academics, and grassroots movements. The treaty was seen as a way to protect the Pacific environment and its people from the harmful effects of nuclear testing and to assert the region's right to self-determination and independence from the influence of nuclear powers.

The current status and future of the Pacific Nuclear Free Zone does face challenges. The geopolitical landscape is shifting, and modern weapons and the continued proliferation by certain countries pose significant threats to global peace and security. These issues are exacerbated by the historical and ongoing impacts of nuclear testing in the Pacific. The integrity of the treaty is also under scrutiny due to actions like Australia's decision to acquire nuclear submarines under the AUKUS partnership, raising concerns about nuclear proliferation. 

The presence of nuclear-capable aircraft and submarines in the region by superpowers, along with the 'neither confirm nor deny' policy on nuclear weapons by countries like the US, further complicates the situation. Thus, while the treaty remains a significant achievement, its implementation and the maintenance of the Pacific as a nuclear-free zone require continuous vigilance and strengthening in response to these evolving challenges and the geopolitical context​

A key scholar to note is Michael Hamel-Green, renowned for his in-depth analysis of the treaty. His pivotal work, "The South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty: A Critical Assessment," delves into the nuances of the treaty, scrutinizing its limitations, the responses from regional and global nuclear powers, and the broader implications for security and disarmament. This insightful book, published in 1990, is an essential resource for understanding the complexities and impacts of the treaty.

For further reading, I recommend Hamel-Green's book, The South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty: A Critical Assessment, which can be accessed at the Australian National University's Open Research repository.

Did you know Michael has strong ties to Victoria and the University of Victoria? You can find great and inspiring leaders and thinkers in this field of international relations and security studies in the least expected places sometimes.