International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is an annual observance that seeks to remind the global community of the urgent need to eliminate nuclear weapons. The primary purpose of the event is to raise awareness about the catastrophic consequences of using these weapons and to promote global disarmament. Along with educational events, governments and civil society organizations around the world use this day to foster discussions and advocacy for nuclear disarmament, stressing the importance of attaining a world free of nuclear weapons.

The day's observance is rooted in a United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in 2013, which expressed concern about the significant humanitarian and environmental impact of nuclear weapons. Canada, a proactive member of international disarmament forums such as the Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has consistently shown a strong commitment to nuclear disarmament. In Canada, the focus is on bolstering the global non-proliferation framework, ensuring the safe and secure use of nuclear energy, and fostering dialogue on how to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in security doctrines.

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is observed annually in Canada on September 26th. On this day, various activities are organized nationwide, including seminars, panel discussions, and educational initiatives. These events bring together experts, policymakers, and concerned citizens to share information about the existing stockpiles of nuclear weapons, the risks associated with them, and the crucial role of disarmament in global peace and security. In doing so, Canada demonstrates its leadership and dedication to working with the broader international community in the pursuit of a world entirely free from the threat posed by nuclear weapons.

Facts about this observance

• The only sure way to eliminate the threat posed by nuclear weapons is to eliminate the weapons themselves - UN Secretary-General António Guterres
• The first resolution on nuclear disarmament was actually adopted by the UN in 1946 as its very first resolution reflecting the concern about the use of nuclear weapons.
• September 26th also marks the anniversary of the incident in 1983 when a Soviet Union officer, Stanislav Petrov, averted a potential nuclear war by correctly identifying a reported nuclear missile attack by the United States as a false alarm.
• Canada is one of the world's leading producers of uranium, providing about 20% of the global supply. Its uranium-mining industry dates back to the 1930s. The provinces of Saskatchewan, Ontario, and the Northwest Territories have significant uranium deposits and mining activities.
• Canada has been actively involved in the safe removal and disposal of nuclear weapons materials, particularly Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) and Plutonium.

In the News and Trending in Canada for International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

Top things to do in Canada for this observance

• Watch The Path to Zero (2016), a Canadian documentary discussing the history of nuclear weapons development.
• Read Canada's Deadly Secret: Saskatchewan, Uranium and the Global Nuclear System by Jim Harding.