International Day for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 

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, since 1959, along with the general and complete disarmament 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. Was identified as one of the priorities of the first special session of the General Assembly on disarmament in 1978, which devoted special attention the problem 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 view 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 gun violence. mass destruction.

According to Mikhail Ulyanov, director of the department for non-proliferation and arms control at 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 Their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF Treaty) made it possible to destroy over 1,800 ballistic and cruise missiles ground-based with a range of 500-5500 km and more than 800 launchers(PU) to them. In total, more than three thousand were deactivated nuclear warheads with a total capacity of over 500 thousand kilotons.

Russian Federation fully complied with 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 launchers ballistic missiles(ICBMs) and ballistic missiles submarines(SLBMs), more than 3100 ICBMs and SLBMs, about 50 missile submarines strategic purpose and about 70 heavy bombers (TB).

In accordance with the 2010 Agreement on further measures on the limitation and reduction of strategic offensive weapons (came 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” according to the DSNP is 2,200 units) and by more than two times (to 700 units) – the maximum level of strategic carriers (the “ceiling” under the New START Treaty is 1600 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 that Russia does not consider it possible to continue the reduction of nuclear weapons without restrictions in the area 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 are observed in 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 Ban Treaty nuclear tests(CTBT), taking into account 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

Only another atomic weapon can protect against nuclear weapons. However, this will lead to disaster throughout the world. To avoid such consequences, it is necessary to eliminate it, including other weapons of mass destruction. It is precisely the day that calls for the destruction and limitation of nuclear weapons, in one way or another to minimize their role and participation in foreign policy states, when the Governments of countries think about the benefits of disarmament, and this world holiday is dedicated.

When it passes

The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is celebrated on September 26. It was proclaimed on December 5, 2013 at the 60th plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly by resolution No. A/RES/68/32. In 2020 it will be celebrated for the 7th time. Russia joins the celebration of the date.

Who celebrates

The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is celebrated by all countries and their populations interested in this goal.

History of the holiday

This goal is one of the oldest in UN activities. It was first voiced and legally enshrined in the 1946 resolution. Then it was repeatedly included in the agendas and plans of meetings (1959, 1975). Treaties on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons were signed. In 1978, a separate special session was devoted to this topic. It became a landmark for the UN, as this goal was approved by all secretaries general of the United Nations.

However, today many countries are in no hurry to eliminate their nuclear weapons, having developed long term plans for its modernization. Given the current situation, the UN decided to officially establish this holiday to remind member states of the priority task in foreign policy, the benefits of disarmament and the costs in social and economic terms.

According to the UN, states (as of 2014) have not physically liquidated a single unit atomic weapons on the basis of bilateral or multilateral treaties, and also do not negotiate nuclear disarmament.

The nuclear “Tsar Bomb” (AN602) was created by Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences I. Kurchatov. Its power was about 58 megatons, and during testing at the test site (October 30, 1960) it destroyed all life. During the explosion, the nuclear mushroom reached a height of 67 km, and fireball The explosion radius was approximately 4.6 km. The sound wave spread over a distance of 800 kilometers.

On the cover of one of the American magazines, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientist, an image of a clock is periodically printed indicating the time until Judgment Day, which will occur as a result of a nuclear conflict. The last publication of this clock was in 2012, and it showed the time 23:55 (five minutes past midnight). And in 1953 they showed a time of 23:58 - this was the year when the USSR and the USA tested thermonuclear bombs.

On September 26, the world celebrates the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons). He is one of the international holidays within the United Nations system and was established in December 2013 by the relevant resolution of the UN General Assembly (No. A/RES/68/32).

The main goal of setting this date is to attract the attention of the world community to the need for global nuclear disarmament and inform the public about the benefits of eliminating nuclear weapons. After all, one of the main tasks of humanity is to achieve peace and security on the planet without nuclear weapons. The complete elimination of nuclear weapons in all countries of the world is one of the main and oldest goals of the UN. It became the subject of the first General Assembly resolution in 1946, in which it was first voiced and legally enshrined. In subsequent years this topic was repeatedly included in the agendas and plans of meetings (1959, 1975), and was also 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 problem of nuclear disarmament.

In addition, this goal was approved and supported by each of the UN Secretaries General. As a result, in different years Several Treaties on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons were signed. However, despite all the efforts of the UN, and despite the adoption of bilateral and multilateral treaties, as of 2015, not a single nuclear weapon (in arsenals) had been physically destroyed in the world various countries There are a total of about 16 thousand nuclear weapons in the world). And today, more than half of the population of our planet lives in countries that have nuclear weapons or are members of nuclear alliances. Therefore, it is not surprising that every year the world is increasingly concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of even one nuclear warhead, not to mention a regional or global nuclear war. However, no negotiations on nuclear disarmament are currently underway anywhere. And countries possessing such weapons have also developed long-term plans to modernize their nuclear arsenals. Therefore, the problem of nuclear disarmament in our time is very acute and is a priority.

Secretary General UN Ban Ki-moon, on the occasion of the International Day for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons in 2015, recalling the 70th anniversary of the terrible date - the first and last use of nuclear weapons during the war, also expressed regret that today there are increasing differences between member states regarding the ways and timing of achieving the goal of freeing the world from nuclear weapons. He called on all States to take a constructive approach and find ways to move forward. In addition, according to the head of the UN, the elimination of nuclear weapons will free up enormous resources that can be used to implement the agenda in the field sustainable development for the period until 2030. After all, the use of nuclear weapons somewhere in one place in the world will lead to disaster on the entire planet. And in order to avoid such consequences, it is necessary to eliminate it, including other weapons of mass destruction. The only absolute guarantee that nuclear weapons will never be used is their complete elimination. Taking into account all the identified facts and the current situation, the UN decided to officially establish this date - the Day of the Struggle for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, in order to once again remind the participating states of the priority task in foreign policy, the benefits of disarmament and the costs in social and economic terms.

And, of course, to once again call for the destruction and limitation of nuclear weapons, in one way or another to minimize their role and participation in the state’s foreign policy. Today, the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is celebrated by all countries and their populations interested in this goal. Despite the youth of the holiday, various events are held on this day in a number of countries - flash mobs, demonstrations of short films and the distribution of propaganda materials on the topic of disarmament and against nuclear weapons. After all, it is this Day that will allow the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a top priority.

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, the need for the complete elimination of these weapons, in order to mobilize international efforts to achieve common goal 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

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 under 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 not seek ways to strengthen world peace.

These facts prompted General Assembly September 26 is the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. This Day will allow the world community to renew 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 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 upon 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 problems, and to celebrate and strengthen the achievements of humanity. Existence international days preceded the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN perceived them as a powerful tool for raising awareness of certain issues. >>