Tonga has officially joined the Ottawa Treaty, committing to ban anti-personnel landmines.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Dr Taniela Fusimalohi announced the ratification at a press conference on Friday, stating, “The government is supporting the convention although Tonga is not immediately affected by this.”
The Ottawa Treaty, formally known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 1999. It aims to eliminate anti-personnel landmines worldwide.
Crown Prince Tupouto‘a, Tonga’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, previously highlighted the importance of supporting the treaty during a parliamentary session, highlighting the nation’s commitment to global peace initiatives.
Tonga’s accession aligns it with over 160 countries that have ratified or acceded to the treaty, contributing to the destruction of more than 55 million stockpiled landmines globally.
While Tonga is not directly impacted by landmine issues, its participation reinforces the Pacific region’s dedication to humanitarian disarmament efforts.
This move follows the Marshall Islands’ ratification of the treaty in March 2025, signaling a broader regional commitment to the elimination of landmines.
