PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly commemorates 26 September as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. This Day provides an occasion for the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a priority. It provides an opportunity to educate the public – and their leaders – about the real benefits of eliminating such weapons, and the social and economic costs of perpetuating them. Commemorating the day at the United Nations is especially important, given its universal membership and its long experience in grappling with nuclear disarmament issues. It is the right place to address one of humanity’s greatest challenges; achieving the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.
FORUM: "Towards a new vision for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation." International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 2023. On September 26th, We will continue to enhance public awareness and education about the threat posed to humanity by Nuclear Weapons and States Nuclear arsenals and the necessity for their total elimination. Its also an occasion for the world community to reaffirm its commitment to Global nuclear disarmament as a priority. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #nuclearweaponfreeworld, #26September, #NuclearArmaments, #TotalEliminationofNuclearWeapons.
EVENTS: The United Nations General Assembly will hold the high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 2023 on Tuesday, 26 September 2023 at 10.00 a.m. in Conference Room 4, United Nations Headquarters, New York. The high-level meeting will, inter alia, raise awareness about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their total elimination in order to mobilize international efforts towards achieving the common goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world. Further information on the programme and inscription on the list of speakers will be conveyed in due course. Delegations are encouraged to be represented at the highest possible level.
STATEMENT: Letter from the President General Assembly on the occasion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 2023; September 26th. Read also the statements of the U.N. Secretary-General on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 2023 and of the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 2023.
PODCASTS: Over 2,000 nuclear tests had been conducted in the world before the CTBT “the longest sought, hardest fought prize in the history of arms control” opened for signature in 1996. The Treaty that bans all nuclear explosions on Earth constituted a milestone in the history of nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. TOWARDS A WORLD FREE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS - THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR-TEST-BAN TREATY. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN: Towards a World Free of Nuclear Weapons. Let’s work actively with like-minded States for the advancement of human civilization by the abolition of nuclear weapons.
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
PARTNERSHIPS
Nuclear weapons are the most dangerous weapons on earth. One can destroy a whole city, potentially killing millions, and jeopardizing the natural environment and lives of future generations through its long-term catastrophic effects. The dangers from such weapons arise from their very existence. The United Nations has sought to eliminate such weapons ever since its establishment. The first resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1946 established a Commission to deal with problems related to the discovery of atomic energy among others. Biological weapons disseminate disease-causing organisms or toxins to harm or kill humans, animals or plants. The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) effectively prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons. It was the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The modern use of chemical weapons began with World War I, when both sides to the conflict used poisonous gas to inflict agonizing suffering and to cause significant battlefield casualties.
Draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons
Reshape the debate on nuclear weapons and generate momentum towards elimination.
Ensure a credible, transparent regime to verify the destruction of chemical weapons
Prevent their re-emergence in any member State; to provide protection and assistance against chemical weapons
Encourage international cooperation in the peaceful uses of chemistry
The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is hosted by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) , the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the International Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in partnerships with the United Nations Member States, Civil Society Organizations, non-Governmental Organizations, Academics and Individuals like the Ban All Nukes Generation , the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), the Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS), the International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms, the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities, the International Association of World Peace Advocates, the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, the International Peace Bureau, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, the Nuclear Weapons Inheritance Project, the World Council of Churches, the World Federation of Public Health Associations, the World Federation of United Nations Associations,the World Foundation for Peace , theWorld Without Wars and Violence »
Church and Peace , the International Institute on Peace Education the METO [Middle East Treaty Organization] and the Youth for TPNW.