International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

What Is the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons?

September 26 is the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Amid a stalled global debate over nuclear disarmament, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 68/32 in 2013 to establish this day, with observances beginning the following year, 2014.

Shining a Light on a Stalled Disarmament Debate

International discussions on reducing and eliminating nuclear weapons had gone for years without significant progress. It was concern over this stagnation that led to the creation of this international day.

• Origin: Established in 2013 when the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 68/32
• Observance: Marked annually starting the following year, 2014
• Purpose: To raise public awareness and promote education about the threat posed by nuclear weapons and the need for their total elimination

Understanding as a First Step Toward Elimination

Nuclear weapons are deeply entangled with national security policy, making this an issue with no quick fix. Precisely because of that, each person learning about the threat and staying engaged helps sustain the long road toward elimination.

How to Spend the Day

• Look into the current state of international debate on nuclear weapons
• Learn about UN efforts toward nuclear disarmament
• Read about the history and testimonies of atomic bomb survivors
• Talk about peace with someone close to you

A Day to Pause and Think About a World Without Nuclear Weapons

The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons was created to reinvigorate a stalled debate and raise awareness among people around the world. September 26 is a day to reflect once again on a future free of nuclear weapons.