The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is annually observed across the globe on 26th September to educate the public regarding the benefits of the elimination of nuclear weapons and raise awareness about the risk posed to humanity by such weapons.
Background:
i.On 26th September 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/68/32 and declared 26th September of every year as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
ii.The resolution was a follow-up to the UNGA’s first-ever high-level meeting on Nuclear disarmament in 2013.
iii.The first-ever International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons was observed on 26 September 2014.
Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zones:
i.Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zones(NWFZs) are regional agreements aimed at strengthening global nuclear non-proliferation norms and consolidating international efforts towards peace and security.
ii.The UNGA resolution (3472 (XXX B) defines NWFZ as zones recognised by the UNGA and established a group of States through a treaty or convention whereby,
- The statute of total absence of nuclear weapons to which the zone shall be subject, including procedure for the delimination of zone.
- An international system of verification and control is established to guarantee compliance with the obligations deriving from that statute.
Treaties Involved in the NWFZ:
Treaty of Tlatelolco– The Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America & Caribbean became the 1st NWFZ. It was opened for signature in 1967 in Mexico City.
Treaty of Rarotongo– The South Pacific became the 2nd NWFZ in 1985.
Treaty of Bangkok- The Southeast Asia became 3rd NWFZ in 1995.
Treaty of Pelindaba– Africa became the 4th NWFZ in 2006.
Treaty on NWFZ in Central Asia– Central Asia became the 5th NWFZ in 2006.
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
i.Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) was a bilateral treaty between United States and the Soviet Union on the reduction and elimination of strategic offensive arms. It entered into force in 1994 and expired in 2009.
ii.The United States and Russian Federation agreed to extend the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (“New START”) until 4 February 2026.
iii.On 21st February 2023, The Russian Federation announced its suspension in the New START Treaty.
iv.On 2nd November 2023, Russia announced the withdrawal of its instrument of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
About United Nations(UN):
Secretary-General– Antonio Guterres
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America(USA)
Members-193
Founded– 24th October 1945
