The United Nations(UN)’s International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is annually observed across the globe on September 26th to create public awareness and to educate people about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons.
The day also highlights the necessity for the total elimination of nuclear weapons to achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/68/32 on 5th September 2013 and proclaimed the 26th September of every year as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
ii.The first ever International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons was observed on 26th September 2014.
Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones:
The establishment of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZ) is a regional approach to strengthen global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament norms and consolidate international efforts towards peace and security.
The NWFZ is defined as
- The statute of total absence of nuclear weapons to which the zone shall be subject, including the procedure for the delimitation of the zone, is defined;
- An international system of verification and control is established to guarantee compliance with the obligations deriving from that statute.
Treaties Involved in NWFZ:
- Treaty of Tlatelolco- Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Treaty of Rarotonga- South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty
- Treaty of Bangkok- Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone
- Treaty of Pelindaba — African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty
- Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia
At present there are 5 NWFZs, covering most of the Southern Hemisphere and in Central Asia. Antarctica and Mongolia have a special Nuclear-weapon-free status.
