Reverse The Trend’s Pacific Youth Committee: Declaration on the Crisis of Nuclear Dumping in the Blue Pacific

We are honored and excited that Ambassador Mr. Teburoro Tito Permanent Representative of #Kiribati to the United Nations has submitted our youth declaration with his statement to the UN for the High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace.

The youth declaration was the outcome of our conference “The Crisis of Nuclear Dumping in the Blue Pacific” on Thursday, 26 August 2021. Where everyone engaged in an open, transparent, and intergenerational dialogue on the topic.

The High-level Forum on the Culture of Peace was convened at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 7 September 2021, at the General Assembly Hall, United Nations Headquarters by the President of the General Assembly. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 75/25 of 9 December, 2020 entitled, “Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace”.

This year’s High-Level Forum will offer an opportunity to the Member States and observers of the General Assembly and other stakeholders to renew their commitments to the full and effective implementation of the UN Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, with particular emphasis on tackling the multidimensional impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and towards a resilient and inclusive recovery.

The Youth Declaration Stated the Following:

“On 26 August 2021, representatives of Reverse The Trend’s Pacific Youth Committee, activists, elders, and leaders of the Blue Pacific engaged in an open, transparent, and intergenerational dialogue on the Crisis of Nuclear Dumping in the Blue Pacific. 

At the event, representatives of the Pacific Community underscored that the Blue Pacific Ocean plays an integral role in uniting our sea of islands and its people. Our diverse cultures, identities and livelihoods are shaped by and dependent on the Blue Pacific Ocean. Therefore, we must protect our ocean from contaminated wastewater in the interest of protecting the full enjoyment of our human rights. 

To promote collective security and protect the Blue Pacific, the majority of Pacific states adopted the Treaty of Rarotonga in 1985, leading to the establishment of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone. 

While we are united in protecting the great Blue Pacific, Japan has declared its intention to release 1.25 million tonnes of contaminated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Blue Pacific. In response, representatives of the Blue Pacific demand action to reverse Japan’s decision. 

Acknowledging the humanitarian and intergenerational impact of over 300 nuclear weapons that has left us with a tragic history, undermining our traditional lives and exacerbating the climate crisis, the twin existential threats facing the Pacific Islands Nations, and further recognizing the environmental atrocities of the toxic nuclear legacy rooted in imperialism, specifically on the islands in the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and French Polynesia, we, as members of RTT’s Pacific Youth Committee:

1. Call Attention to Japan's decision to release contaminated radioactive water, and the potential implications it may have on the Pacific’s marine biodiversity and ecosystems. In this regard, we wish to highlight that scientific evidence indicates that the contaminated water from Japan may contain radioactive carbon-14 and other radioactive isotopes that may threaten the well-being of the marine environment and populations of the Pacific.

2. Express great disappointment at the many industrialised nations, who have carelessly disregarded the imminent threats that continue to affect our Pacific region. 

3. Remind global leaders about the need to shift their priorities and embrace a multilateral approach in international security and peace affairs.

4. Demand resistance from nations on Japan’s regrettable intentions, calling out countries for their continuous support on a decision that will alter the livelihoods of the Pacific and lead to the displacement of its communities. 

5. Urge the international community to provide a seat for Pacific youth and thereby uplifting their voices. The international community must recognise the importance of amplifying and empowering Pacific youth voices to address the catastrophic consequences of nuclear contamination on the Pacific people and their futures.

6. Call on the leaders of the Pacific to strongly oppose Japan’s set timeline for the discharge and to consider, with urgency and through international consultations, international law, and independent and verifiable scientific assessments the impacts that this discharge of contaminated water will have on our people, places, and prospects. Such findings should be made available to all Pacific communities and the international community.

We, as representatives of Reverse The Trend’s Pacific Youth Committee, are resolved to continue our efforts to maintain a peaceful and sustainable Blue Pacific. We will persevere in our fight against nuclear injustices and defend our great ocean.“

For reference, click HERE!