establishing this zone was opened for signature on 6 August this year. I had the privilege of being present at that ceremony in Rarotonga. The symbolism of JSM/gmr A/C.l/40/PV.S 43 (Mr. McDowell, New Zealand) the timing will not be lost on people for it was the anniversary of Hiroshima Day. The Treaty has so far been signed by nine South Pacific countries including New Zealand. It recently received its first ratification. The South Pacific Nuclear-Free-zone Treaty shows the determination of South Pacific countries that their region should not be or become an arena for nuclear confrontation. They firmly believe that there should be no use, testing or stationing of nuclear weapons in the South Pacific and that the countries of the region should fully respect and fulfil the aims of applicable international measures such as those contained in the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Under the Treaty endorsed by the South Pacific Forum all parties undertake not to possess, manufacture or acquire nuclear explosive devices anywhere, nor allow them to be stationed anywhere on their territory. They also undertake to prevent the diversion of fissionable material to non-peaceful purposes and not to dump radioactive waste at sea in the zone. The Treaty leaves it to each party to determine for itself its security concerns and such questions as access to its ports and airfields by vessels and aircraft from other countries. The zone covers a vast area, stretching from the Equator in the north to Antarctica in the south. It borders the two other nuclear-weapon -free zones that have been established -to the east the area covered by the Treaty of Tlatelolco, to the south that covered by the Antarctic Treaty. We fully acknowledge the inspiration provided to South Pacific countries by the Latin American example . We 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a regional agreement aimed at preventing the use of nuclear weapons in the South Pacific. It highlights the signing and ratification of the South Pacific Nuclear-Free-zone Treaty, emphasizing the determination of the region's countries to maintain a nuclear-free zone. The text does not mention economic development, natural resources, industry, transportation, international trade, employment, or humanitarian aid, but it does touch on the themes of environment (preventing the dumping of radioactive waste at sea) and science and technology (nuclear weapons and non-proliferation).

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Science and technology