The United Nations (UN)’s first-ever International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness was observed on 5th March 2023 to promote awareness and understanding of disarmament issues among the public, especially young people.
Background:
On 7th December 2022, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/77/51 and proclaimed the 5th March of every year as the “International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness”.
- 5th March 2023 marks the first observance of International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness.
Significance:
i.Multilateral disarmament and arms limitation has been one of the UN’s central efforts to maintain international peace and security.
ii.Weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear weapons are the primary concerns due to their destructive power and the threat they pose to humanity.
iii.The new and emerging weapon technologies, like autonomous weapons, pose a challenge to global security and have received increased attention from the international community in recent years.
Events:
i.As a part of the 1st International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs(UNODA) jointly hosted the virtual launch event on 1st March 2023.
- Csaba Korosi, President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly delivered the opening remarks for the launch event.
ii.As a part of the observance, the UNODA’s Youth4Disarmament initiative launched #ClickDISARM Campaign to highlight a variety of ways for young people to get involved in awareness-raising activities for disarmament issues.
iii.The Geneva Branch of the UNODA launched the 2023 Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship as a part of the celebrations.
Agenda for disarmament:
i.In 2018,António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, launched “Securing our Common Future: An Agenda for Disarmament”, outlining a vision of disarmament actions that help set our world on a path towards sustainable peace and security for all.
ii.The agenda defines four 4 pillars
- Disarmament that saves humanity
- Disarmament that saves lives
- Disarmament for future generations
- Strengthening partnerships for disarmament
iii.This also recognises the important contribution of disarmament and arms control to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
About United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs(UNODA):
UNODA was established in January 1998 as the Department for Disarmament Affairs.
It was originally established in 1982 upon the recommendation of the UNGA’s 2nd Special session on disarmament (SSOD II).
High Representative– Izumi Nakamitsu
Headquarters– Vienna, Austria
