BY SAPT STAFF
FOREIGN Ministers from the Pacific Islands Forum have expressed their deep concerns regarding the decision made by the Government of Japan to commence the release of Advanced Liquid Processing Systems (ALPS) treated water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. The release has set to begin on August 24, 2023, and continue for approximately 30 years.
The Forum Foreign Ministers in their combined statement highlight that in the context of our Blue Pacific Continent, it is imperative to highlight the significance of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, also known as the Rarotonga Treaty. This treaty profoundly shapes our approach to nuclear matters, encompassing both non-peaceful and peaceful purposes. The Rarotonga Treaty underscores our unwavering commitment to maintaining our region free from environmental pollution caused by radioactive wastes and other radioactive substances.
“We cannot forget our historical legacy of nuclear testing, which has left enduring impacts on our otherwise tranquil and resource-rich Blue Pacific,” Forum Foreign Ministers emphasized in their combined statement.
With this historical context in mind, we recall the pivotal decisions made by our leaders during the Ninth Pacific Islands Forum and Japan Leaders Meeting (PALM9) on July 2, 2021. During this crucial meeting, our leaders stressed the paramount importance of international consultation, adherence to international law, and the necessity for independent and verifiable scientific assessments. These positions were subsequently reaffirmed by Forum Leaders in their meetings in Fiji in July 2022 and in February 2023.
Our commitment to the well-being of the Blue Pacific Continent and our ancestral responsibility as stewards of the Pacific Ocean, central to our way of life and vital for our sustenance, guide our actions. The ocean is the cornerstone of our prosperity, and we recognize it as a resource to be safeguarded for future generations.
In this regard, we acknowledge the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the foremost authority on nuclear safety and take note of their report from July 2, 2023.
Reiterating our unified stance and the comprehensive process we have undertaken over the past three years, we, as Foreign Ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum, commit to continuing our dialogue with the Government of Japan. We welcome the IAEA’s proposal for an annual dialogue mechanism with the Forum to facilitate ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the water release.
“We stress the importance of developing regional scientific capabilities and monitoring systems to assess the health and well-being of the Pacific maritime ecosystem, including its impact on human health.
“We strongly encourage and recommend that this issue be included on the agenda of the PALM Meetings, establishing an annual political dialogue mechanism, and ensuring continuous independent monitoring by the IAEA. We anticipate further discussion on this matter by Forum Leaders during the 52nd Forum Leaders meeting in Rarotonga in November 2023,” Forum leaders stated.
