Pacific Islands Forum Leaders will decide at the next Forum Leaders Meeting in Solomon Islands whether to reinstate the Forum Expert Panel on Fukushima, as concerns persist over Japan’s discharge of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.
Forum Chair and Tongan Prime Minister, Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni confirmed that the issue would be discussed at next year’s Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
“The Forum Leaders have tasked the Forum Secretariat to prepare a paper on the issue, and it will be tabled at the next Forum Leaders Meeting in Solomon Islands,” Sovaleni said in response to PACNEWS question.
In addition to addressing the Fukushima issue, Forum Leaders have reaffirmed their support for the Republic of the Marshall Islands in its ongoing efforts to seek justice from the United States over its nuclear testing programme.
The leaders agreed to continue backing the Marshall Islands through bilateral, regional, and multilateral avenues, aiming for a fair resolution that addresses the long-standing health and environmental damages caused by U.S nuclear tests conducted between 1946 and 1958.
Leaders also considered submitting another letter to the U.S Government, urging it to take meaningful action to address the enduring needs of the Marshallese people affected by the nuclear testing programme.
Forum Leaders also engaged in discussions around the “Ocean of Peace” concept introduced by Fiji, which aims to strengthen peace element within the region’s security efforts.
The concept emphasises the Pacific’s desire to be recognised not just as a zone free of conflict but as a proactive advocate for peace through dialogue and regional cooperation.
Leaders acknowledged the alignment of the “Ocean of Peace” concept with the Pacific’s existing frameworks, including the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security, and the 2000 Biketawa Declaration.
They tasked the Forum Secretariat with developing a draft Ocean of Peace Declaration, which will be considered at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum in Honiara, Solomon Islands in 2025.
By revisiting the Fukushima issue, advocating for the Marshall Islands, and pushing for the Ocean of Peace, Pacific Leaders are taking a strong stance on critical regional concerns.
Their decisions reflect a united approach to safeguarding the Pacific’s environmental integrity, supporting justice for historical injustices, and promoting a peaceful and secure region.
As Forum Leaders gather next year in Honiara, these issues will be central to the region’s strategic agenda.
