International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is an annual observance focused on increasing public awareness and promoting the need for global nuclear disarmament. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, this crucial effort emphasizes the potential risk that nuclear weapons pose to civilisation, world peace, and the environment. Nations worldwide host events to encourage governments and citizens to collaborate in eliminating nuclear arms, bringing us closer to a safer, nuclear-free world.

New Zealand has a strong history of supporting nuclear disarmament, with the country adopting a nuclear-free zone in 1987. They have played critical roles in various disarmament initiatives, such as the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), to which they became a signatory in 2017. Furthermore, New Zealand has provided humanitarian assistance to Pacific Island nations impacted by the nuclear testing that previously occurred in the region, showcasing a dedication to the cause that complements the objectives of International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

In New Zealand, the observance of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is a call to action. Entities such as the Peace Foundation and Disarmament and Security Centre organise events, seminars, and discussions featuring informative presentations by experts and advocates. These events aim to engage public participation in the pursuit of global nuclear disarmament. By actively participating in these educational events, the people of New Zealand demonstrate their commitment to a nuclear-free world, joining the international community in a shared vision.

Facts about this observance

• The only sure way to eliminate the threat posed by nuclear weapons is to eliminate the weapons themselves - UN Secretary-General António Guterres
• The first resolution on nuclear disarmament was actually adopted by the UN in 1946 as its very first resolution reflecting the concern about the use of nuclear weapons.
• September 26th also marks the anniversary of the incident in 1983 when a Soviet Union officer, Stanislav Petrov, averted a potential nuclear war by correctly identifying a reported nuclear missile attack by the United States as a false alarm.
• Due to New Zealand's stand against nuclear weapons, the United States suspended its obligations under the ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand, United States) Treaty in 1986. The US declared that it would no longer fulfill its defense obligations to New Zealand under the treaty, effectively removing New Zealand from this defense alliance.
• In 1996, New Zealand was one of the founding members of the New Agenda Coalition (NAC), a group of countries working towards global nuclear disarmament.

In the News and Trending in NZ for International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

Top things to do in NZ for this observance

• Watch Mururoa 1973 (2015).
• Read New Zealand and Nuclear Disarmament by I.C. Campbell.