Summary: Non-signatory Kiribati has not taken any steps to join the convention. Kiribati voted in favor of a key United Nations (UN) resolution on the convention in December 2018. Kiribati attended a meeting of the convention in 2011, where it stated that it has never used, produced, transferred, or stockpiled cluster munitions.

Policy

The Republic of Kiribati has not acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Kiribati has shown interest in the convention, but has not taken any steps towards acceding to it. In February 2018, it attended the Pacific Conference on Conventional Weapons Treaties and adopted the conference’s “Auckland Declaration” acknowledging “the clear moral and humanitarian rationale for joining” the Convention on Cluster Munitions.” [1]

Kiribati did not participate in the Oslo Process.

Kiribati participated as an observer in the convention’s Second Meeting of States Parties in Beirut, Lebanon in September 2011 and made its first and to date only public statement on the convention, stating that the government was considering accession. [2]

In December 2018, Kiribati voted in favor of a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that urges states outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to “join as soon as possible.” [3] It has voted in favor of the annual UNGA resolution promoting the convention since it was first introduced in 2015.

Kiribati has voted in favor of UNGA resolutions condemning use of cluster munitions in Syria, most recently in December 2018. [4]

Kiribati is a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. It has not joined the Convention on Conventional Weapons.

Use, production, transfer, and stockpiling

Kiribati informed States Parties in September 2011 that it “has never used, produced, transferred, or stockpiled cluster munitions.” [5]

Kiribati is affected by unexploded ordnance, particularly in Betio and greater South Tarawa, but is not known to be contaminated by cluster munition remnants. [6]