The South Pacific Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty, or Treaty of Rarotonga, prohibits states from manufacturing or controlling nuclear explosive devices anywhere inside or outside the Treaty zone. States cannot receive assistance or assist other states in endeavors to acquire or manufacture nuclear explosive devices. Also, states cannot provide sources or equipment to both non-nuclear weapon and nuclear weapon states, unless it is approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Testing, stationing, or dumping is prohibited. The zone covers the South Pacific and states within the zone are subject to verification and compliance standards by the IAEA.

Opened for Signature: 6 August 1985

Entry into force: 11 December 1986

Official Text: http://disarmament.un.org/treaties/t/rarotonga/text

Status and Signatories: http://disarmament.un.org/treaties/t/rarotonga

ACA Backgrounder: https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/nwfz