The complete elimination of nuclear weapons is one of the oldest goals of the United Nations. It was the subject of the first General Assembly resolution in 1946. Also, starting in 1959, along with general and complete disarmament, it was included in the agenda of the General Assembly. It has been the main theme of review conferences held at the UN since 1975 by states party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It was identified as one of the priorities of the first special session of the General Assembly on disarmament in 1978, which paid special attention to the issue of nuclear disarmament. Plus was supported by each of the Secretaries General of the United Nations.
However, today there are about 15,000 nuclear weapons in the arsenals of countries around the world. Countries possessing such weapons have no problems with financing and have developed long-term plans to modernize their nuclear arsenals. More than half the world's population lives in countries that either have such weapons or are members of nuclear alliances. No nuclear weapons have been physically destroyed in accordance with any bilateral or multilateral treaty, and no nuclear disarmament negotiations are ongoing. Meanwhile, the doctrine of nuclear deterrence remains as an element of the security policy of all nuclear states and their nuclear allies. Security challenges cannot serve as a basis for continuing to maintain nuclear capabilities and refuse to seek ways to strengthen world peace.
These facts prompted the General Assembly to establish September 26 as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. This Day will allow the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a top priority. As we mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, we educate the public and its leaders about the real benefits of eliminating such weapons, as well as the associated socio-economic costs. It is especially important to celebrate this Day at the United Nations, given the universality of the Organization's membership and many years of experience in addressing nuclear disarmament issues. This is a landmark place for solving one of the main problems of humanity, for achieving peace and security in a world without nuclear weapons.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, adopted on July 7, 2017, was an important step towards achieving a world free of nuclear weapons. It contains the provision that each State Party undertakes never, under any circumstances, to develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices . The treaty will enter into legal force after it is ratified by 50 states.
The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is celebrated annually around the world on September 26. This day was established by the UN General Assembly on December 5, 2013.
Its main objectives are to raise awareness and educate the population about the threat posed by nuclear weapons to humanity, as well as the need for their complete elimination.
The complete elimination of nuclear weapons is one of the oldest goals of the United Nations. It was the subject of the first General Assembly resolution in 1946. Also, starting in 1959, along with general and complete disarmament, it was included in the agenda of the General Assembly. It has been the main theme of review conferences held at the UN since 1975 by states parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It was identified as one of the priorities of the first special session of the General Assembly on disarmament in 1978, which paid special attention to the issue of nuclear disarmament. Plus was supported by each of the Secretaries General of the United Nations.
Currently, there are about 14 thousand nuclear weapons in the arsenals of countries around the world. More than half the world's population lives in countries that either have such weapons or are members of nuclear alliances.
In December 2016, the UN General Assembly decided to prepare a convention on the prohibition and complete elimination of nuclear weapons. The corresponding resolution was supported by 123 states, while nuclear powers, including Russia, and about 30 other countries voted “against”. China was the only one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to abstain from voting. The resolution decided to hold a conference with the aim of developing “a legally binding instrument for the prohibition of nuclear weapons, which will lead to their complete elimination.”
March 27, 2017 at the UN General Assembly to develop the text of a convention on the prohibition of nuclear weapons. However, almost 40 countries did not take part in the conference, including the US, UK, France, Russia and China.
On July 7, 2017, participants in the UN conference to develop a convention on the complete ban of nuclear weapons agreed on the text of the final document.
The convention notes that “the majority of countries in the world no longer regard nuclear weapons as a legitimate weapon of war.” It is reported that signatory countries undertake not to develop, acquire or test nuclear weapons. In addition, the agreement obliges states to provide assistance to victims of weapons of mass destruction.
According to Mikhail Ulyanov, director of the department for non-proliferation and arms control of the Russian Foreign Ministry, ratification of the agreement does not meet Russia’s national interests and could lead to a violation of the regime of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which entered into force in 1970.
Russia is committed to achieving a world without nuclear weapons and is making a significant contribution to global efforts to reduce nuclear weapons. The implementation of the 1987 Soviet-American Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range Missiles (INF Treaty) made it possible to destroy over 1,800 ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of 500-5,500 km and more than 800 launchers for them. In total, more than three thousand nuclear warheads with a total yield of over 500 thousand kilotons have been deactivated.
The Russian Federation has fully fulfilled its obligations under the 1991 Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START) and the 2002 Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions (START). Russia has reduced the number of deployed strategic warheads from 9,000 to 1,900 units, and also eliminated more than 1,600 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), more than 3,100 ICBMs and SLBMs, about 50 strategic missile submarines and about 70 heavy bombers (TB).
In accordance with the 2010 Treaty on Further Measures for the Limitation and Reduction of Strategic Offensive Arms (entered into force on February 5, 2011), Russia and the United States agreed to reduce the total number of warheads by a third (to 1,550 units) (the “ceiling” under the DSNP is 2,200 units) and more than twice (up to 700 units) the maximum level of strategic delivery vehicles (the “ceiling” under the START Treaty is 1,600 units; the START Treaty did not limit carriers). In addition, an additional level of 800 units was established for deployed and non-deployed ICBM and SLBM launchers, as well as TB. By the target date under the Treaty - February 5, 2018 - the Russian Federation fully fulfilled its obligations to reduce strategic offensive arms.
Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Ryabkov in September 2019 said that Russia does not consider it possible to continue the reduction of nuclear weapons without restrictions in the field of missile defense. On August 2, 2019, the procedure for the United States to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) was completed, as a result of which this agreement ceased to be in effect. Russia has introduced a unilateral moratorium and will not deploy ground-based intermediate- and shorter-range missiles, if any, in those regions where the American INF missiles will not be deployed. According to Ryabkov, Moscow has no illusions that Washington will introduce a moratorium on the deployment of intermediate- and shorter-range missiles.
After the termination of the INF Treaty, the Russian side did not test such missiles, and the United States, 16 days after the collapse of the treaty, tested a ground-based cruise missile with a range of more than 500 kilometers. As a result, the situation in the field of strategic stability continues to deteriorate, and especially negative dynamics have been observed in the last year, the deputy minister emphasized. “... There is a risk of a nuclear war, even in a situation where the parties have no intention of starting a nuclear conflict... The actions of our colleagues in the West are becoming more emotional, at times very aggressive,” Ryabkov said and emphasized that this is shaking the arms control architecture.
The diplomat noted that so far the Russian Federation and the United States cannot agree on the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty (START), since Washington is avoiding solving problems. Russia is also concerned about the situation around the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), given that the United States retains the ability to resume testing at its test sites, but at the same time.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
The complete elimination of nuclear weapons is one of the oldest goals of the United Nations. She was the subject in 1946. Also, starting in 1959, along with general and complete disarmament, it was included in the agenda of the General Assembly. It has been the main theme of review conferences held at the UN since 1975 by member states. It was identified as one of the priorities of the first disarmament policy in 1978, which paid special attention to the problem of nuclear disarmament. Plus was supported by each of the Secretaries General of the United Nations.
However, today there are about 14,000 nuclear weapons in the arsenals of countries around the world. Countries possessing such weapons have no problems with financing and have developed long-term plans to modernize their nuclear arsenals. More than half the world's population lives in countries that either have such weapons or are members of nuclear alliances. No nuclear weapons have been physically destroyed in accordance with any bilateral or multilateral treaty, and no nuclear disarmament negotiations are ongoing. Meanwhile, the doctrine of nuclear deterrence remains as an element of the security policy of all nuclear states and their nuclear allies. Security challenges cannot serve as a basis for continuing to maintain nuclear capabilities and refuse to seek ways to strengthen world peace.
These facts prompted the General Assembly to celebrate September 26 as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. This Day will allow the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a top priority. As we mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, we educate the public and its leaders about the real benefits of eliminating such weapons, as well as the associated socio-economic costs. It is especially important to celebrate this Day at the United Nations, given the universality of the Organization's membership and many years of experience in addressing nuclear disarmament issues. This is a landmark place for solving one of the main problems of humanity, for achieving peace and security in a world without nuclear weapons.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, adopted on July 7, 2017, was an important step towards achieving a world free of nuclear weapons. It contains the provision that each State Party undertakes never, under any circumstances, to develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices . The treaty will enter into legal force after it is ratified by 50 states.
On May 24, 2018, the Secretary General announced the start of implementation. It addresses the issue of eliminating nuclear weapons with the goal of “disarmament to save humanity.” In the document, the Secretary-General calls for the resumption of dialogue and negotiations on nuclear arms control and disarmament. It also supports the creation and dissemination of legal norms aimed at the elimination of nuclear weapons and, in this regard, calls on nuclear-capable states to reach a consensus that nuclear war cannot be won and should never happen. The agenda proposes creating a world free of nuclear weapons through a series of risk reduction measures, in particular stopping the production of fissile materials. A number of concrete actions are proposed to advance the agenda.
Why are international days needed?
International days are an occasion to educate the general public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global challenges, and to celebrate and strengthen human achievements. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful tool for raising awareness about issues. >>
The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons aims to raise awareness and educate the public about the threat posed by nuclear weapons to humanity and the need for the total elimination of these weapons, in order to mobilize international efforts towards achieving the common goal of building a world free of nuclear weapons.
The complete elimination of nuclear weapons is one of the oldest goals of the United Nations. It was the subject of the first General Assembly resolution in 1946. Also, starting in 1959, along with general and complete disarmament, it was included in the agenda of the General Assembly. It has been the main theme of review conferences held at the UN since 1975 by states party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It was identified as one of the priorities of the first special session of the General Assembly on disarmament in 1978, which paid special attention to the issue of nuclear disarmament. Plus was supported by each of the Secretaries General of the United Nations.
Currently, there are about 15,000 nuclear weapons in the arsenals of countries around the world. More than half the world's population lives in countries that either have such weapons or are members of nuclear alliances. As of 2016, no nuclear weapons have been physically destroyed under any bilateral or multilateral treaty, and no nuclear disarmament negotiations are ongoing.
In December 2016, the UN General Assembly decided to prepare a convention on the prohibition and complete elimination of nuclear weapons. The corresponding resolution was supported by 123 states, while nuclear powers, including Russia, and about 30 other countries voted “against”. China was the only one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to abstain from voting. The resolution decided to hold a conference with the aim of developing “a legally binding instrument for the prohibition of nuclear weapons, which will lead to their complete elimination.”
On March 27, 2017, intergovernmental negotiations began at the UN General Assembly to develop the text of a convention on the prohibition and complete elimination of nuclear weapons. However, nearly 40 countries did not take part in the conference, including the US, UK, France, Russia and China.
Russia is committed to achieving a world without nuclear weapons and is making a significant contribution to global efforts to reduce nuclear weapons. The implementation of the 1987 Soviet-American Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range Missiles (INF Treaty) made it possible to destroy over 1,800 ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of 500-5,500 km and more than 800 launchers for them. In total, more than 3 thousand nuclear warheads with a total yield of over 500 thousand kilotons have been deactivated.
The Russian Federation has fully fulfilled its obligations under the 1991 Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START) and the 2002 Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions (START). Russia has reduced the number of deployed strategic warheads from 9,000 to 1,700 units, and also eliminated more than 1,600 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), more than 3,100 ICBMs and SLBMs, about 50 strategic missile submarines and about 70 heavy bombers (TB).
Along with limiting strategic offensive arms, Russia has reduced its arsenal of non-strategic nuclear weapons by four times and concentrated them at central storage bases within its national territory.
On April 8, 2010, the Treaty on Further Measures for the Limitation and Reduction of Strategic Offensive Arms was signed in Prague (Czech Republic) (entered into force on February 5, 2011).
The agreement records the agreement of the parties to reduce the total number of warheads by a third (up to 1,550 units) (the “ceiling” under the New START Treaty is 2,200 units) and by more than two times (up to 700 units) the maximum level of strategic delivery vehicles (the “ceiling” under the New START Treaty is 1,600 units, DSNP did not limit carriers). In addition, an additional level of 800 units is established for deployed and non-deployed ICBM and SLBM launchers, as well as TB.
As of March 1, 2017, Russia had: 523 deployed strategic delivery vehicles and 1,765 warheads, 816 ICBM and SLBM launchers, as well as heavy weapons.
Russia actively participates in the review process of the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) and in the work of multilateral negotiating forums in the field of disarmament (Conference on Disarmament - CD, UN Disarmament Commission).
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
Today, almost 15 thousand units of atomic weapons are concentrated in the arsenal of the world's states. Countries that have it usually have no apparent problems with constant funding and implementation of long-term plans for the comprehensive modernization of nuclear capabilities. This state of affairs will inevitably lead to a large-scale catastrophe of a planetary nature.
To avoid this, it is necessary to completely or partially eliminate the weapon. However, not a single large-scale nuclear unit belonging to nuclear powers has yet been destroyed, and no negotiations on this topic are currently even being conducted. The United Nations decided to put an end to the global danger by approving the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. It is celebrated annually and acts as a kind of call for complete nuclear disarmament, showing the benefits of this process.
History of the establishment of the memorial date
The festival itself is relatively young. In December 2013, the UN, with the participation of individual states, ratified the documentation regulating the introduction of the celebration. Its main focus is informing the population about potential threats, involving the public in the fight for the elimination of such weapons, as well as building a new model of the world, completely without the military potential of mass destruction.
The United Nations began thinking about resolving such an important issue back in the 40s. The problem was raised at a meeting in 1946, however, no clear action plan was developed then. In March 2017, the General Assembly announced the start of important international negotiations aimed at developing the final text of the Convention on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It was not possible to reach a consensus, since about 40 countries did not participate in the discussion. The final document was agreed upon 4 months later. The Convention stipulates that countries that have accepted its text undertake not to acquire, independently develop or conduct tests, as well as to provide comprehensive assistance to states affected by nuclear explosions.
It is noteworthy that the Russian Federation, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed a negative opinion about the document and its fundamental principles. Of course, Russia is committed to the idea of preserving peace without the use of combat potential and makes its feasible contribution to global efforts to eliminate it, but at the same time, the Ministry sees it as the best option for containing the aggression of individual states. Thus, in accordance with the adopted Treaty of 2010 on the adoption of appropriate measures to ensure the reduction of strategic offensive weapons, our dear Fatherland decided to reduce the number of ammunition by a third and reduce the arsenal content of non-strategic nuclear weapons by 4 times, thereby fulfilling its obligations in full.
How the date is celebrated in Russia and foreign countries
The celebration is celebrated by all concerned citizens, including specialists involved in the implementation of thematic events at the state and international level. The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is an excellent time to remind modern countries of the priorities of their foreign policy activities, while pointing out the visible benefits of disarmament and reducing economic costs.
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