At the United Nations headquarters in New York, diplomats and world leaders gathered on Friday for a high-level meeting marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. This day highlights the urgent need to end the nuclear era and build a safer world.
A Renewed Warning on Nuclear Risks
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the session with a stark reminder: "The world now faces a more complex, unpredictable and dangerous nuclear arms race." He urged nuclear-armed states to restart dialogue and commit to the total elimination of these weapons.
Global Treaties Under the Spotlight
Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th session of the UNGA, spotlighted the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). "Every member state, including nuclear-armed countries, must faithfully implement these frameworks," she said.
Voices from the Chinese mainland
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, described nuclear weapons as a "significant security threat to countries worldwide." He emphasized that banning and dismantling these arsenals aligns with the common interests of all humanity.
Charting a Path Forward
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, speakers called for renewed multilateral efforts to prevent proliferation, reduce risks, and move toward a world free of nuclear weapons. The UNGA adopted the resolution for this observance in December 2013, designating September 26 as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
From New York to Nairobi, Tokyo to Rio, the debate on nuclear disarmament touches us all. How can we, as a global community, turn dialogue into measurable progress? Join the conversation and help shape a safer future.
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UN high-level meeting calls for advancing nuclear disarmament
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