International Day against Nuclear Tests 2015, August 29th

 禁止核试验国际日, 8月29日.
 Международный день действий против ядерных испытаний, 29 августа.
 International Day Against Nuclear Tests, 29 August.
 Día Internacional contra los Ensayos Nucleares‬, ‪29 de Agosto‬.
 Journée internationale contre les essais nucléaires, 29 Août.
اختبارات اليوم الدولي لمكافحة النووية , 29 آب/أغسطس

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Message on the International Day Against Nuclear Tests 2015.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the dawn of the nuclear age. Seven decades ago, the Trinity Test unleashed the power of more than 20,000 tons of TNT and precipitated over 2,000 additional nuclear tests.
Pristine environments and populated communities in Central Asia, North Africa, North America and the South Pacific were hit. Many have never recovered from the resulting environmental, health and economic damage.
Poisoned groundwater, cancer, leukaemia, radioactive fallout – these are among the poisonous legacies of nuclear testing.
The best way to honour the victims of past tests is to prevent any in the future.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is essential for the elimination of nuclear weapons. It is a legally-binding, verifiable means by which to constrain the quantitative and qualitative development of nuclear weapons.
Nearly two decades after the CTBT was negotiated, the time has long past
for its entry-into-force.
I welcome the voluntary moratoria on testing imposed by nuclear-armed States. At the same time, I stress that these cannot substitute for a legally-binding Treaty.
On this International Day, I repeat my longstanding call on all remaining States to sign and ratify the Treaty – especially the eight necessary for its entry-into-force – as a critical step on the road to a nuclear-weapon-free world.

Ban Ki-moon

Message by the President of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the International Day against Nuclear Tests 2015, August 29th.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the first nuclear weapon test, carried out in New Mexico in July 1945. In the months following that test, the General Assembly adopted its first resolution calling for the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction. Furthermore, in 2009, the General Assembly adopted resolution 64/35, designating 29 August as the International Day against Nuclear Tests.
This year’s commemoration of the International Day against Nuclear Tests presents an opportunity to raise awareness and educate the public about this critical issue. Education can play a key role in building mutual understanding, promoting peace, and advocating for disarmament. We should make use of this occasion to engage with civil society, the media and academia, to work together towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
Despite the grave impacts of nuclear weapons testing on human lives, the environment, and international peace and security; the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) has still not entered into force. During its current session, the United Nations General Assembly has reiterated its firm commitment to the Treaty. I would like to use this occasion to stress the vital importance and urgency of its signature and ratification, without delay, in order to realize the CTBT’s early entry into force.
The recently held 2015 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has highlighted the stark reality of the increasing divisions between the States parties over the future of nuclear disarmament. It is now time to bridge the gap and work with more resolute political will to ensure that the NPT continues to remain the cornerstone of global security. 
I applaud the efforts of the Government of Kazakhstan, not only for initiating the International Day against Nuclear Tests, but also for its continuing leadership in efforts to end nuclear weapons testing and to promote a world free of nuclear weapons.
I also commend the recent announcement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear programme, reached in Vienna between the E3 + 3 and Iran as an important step forward on this critical issue. I hope this agreement will benefit the non-proliferation regime and will lead to greater mutual understanding and cooperation on the many serious security challenges in the Middle East and beyond. 
As President of the General Assembly, I will convene an informal meeting of the plenary of the General Assembly to mark this important international day on 10 September 2015 under the overall theme “Towards Zero: Resolving the Contradictions”.     

Sam Kahamba Kutesa

Message by the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-­‐Test-­‐Ban Treaty Organization Lassina Zerbo for  the International Day Against Nuclear Tests 2015.

Banning nuclear weapons testing – an unfinished business In Japan earlier this month, I had the privilege to meet Makoto Takahara, who was 17 when the nuclear bomb detonated over his home city Hiroshima. Hearing his first-­‐hand account of the horrors he witnessed then once again put into sharp focus for me the threat posed by nuclear weapons. I am proud to support the Hibakusha, as the survivors are known, in calling on the world: No more Hiroshima; no more Nagasaki. The more than 2,000 nuclear tests conducted during the Cold War paved the way for the development of weapons that dwarf the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs in explosive power. Populations downwind from the test sites paid with their health and often their lives. One of the most affected areas was Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan.

August 29 marks the day of the first nuclear test at Semipalatinsk, as well as the site’s closure in 1991 by the newly independent Kazakhstan. At the country’s initiative, the date has been commemorated since 2010 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests. August 29 serves as reminder that banning nuclear testing remains unfinished business. The Comprehensive Nuclear-­‐Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), in spite of enjoying near-­‐universal support, has yet to become legally binding due to its exceptionally demanding entry into force clause, which prescribes that all 44 countries listed in the Treaty as nuclear technology holders must ratify. Of these, eight still remain: China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, and the United States.

The Treaty has nonetheless gone a long way in limiting and stigmatizing nuclear testing, largely due to a robust verification regime which is nearly fully operational. Only a handful of nuclear tests have been conducted since the Treaty was adopted in 1996 and only one country, North Korea, has tested in this century.

Entry into force of the Treaty will require political leadership and determination at all levels, but once the ban on all nuclear testing is a legal reality, the world will have taken the first concrete step towards answering the call of Hibakusha to banish nuclear weapons from the face of the earth, and to guarantee No more Hiroshima; no more Nagasaki.

Lassina Zerbo

Forum : International Day against Nuclear Tests - 29 August

Events :  Informal Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly  to mark the 2015 Observance of the International Day against Nuclear Tests, Thursday September 10th.

Exhibition : To mark this year’s International Day Against Nuclear Tests an exhibition of art related to nuclear testing and nuclear weapons by artists from Austria, China, Kazakhstan, and the United States was on display at the Vienna International Centre. It culminated in a formal event on the eve of the Day itself which was attended by a large number of representatives of the Vienna diplomatic community, NGOs and media. The Chinese Artists’ Association and the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the International Organizations in Vienna supported the exhibition and the event.

International Day against Nuclear Tests 2015 – Towards a Safer World

International Day against Nuclear Tests 2014, August 29th

International Day against Nuclear Tests, August 29th
Día Internacional contra los Ensayos Nucleares, 29 de Augusto
Journée internationale contre les essais nucléaires, 29 Août.
禁止核试验国际日, 29月8日.
 Международный день действий против ядерных испытаний, 29 августа.
 اليوم الدولي لمناهضة التجارب النووية، , 29 آب/أغسطس

Internationa Day Against Nuclear Test, 29 august 2014

Today is a reminder that the world is united against the devastating effects of nuclear testing on the lives of people and the environment. It’s a reminder that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) must enter into force. The CTBT not only closes the door on nuclear testing -- it is a critical step towards the elimination of nuclear weapons. CTBTO Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo

 According to the resolution establishing it, the International Day against Nuclear Tests aims to prevent more of the “devastating and harmful effects on the lives and health of people and the environment” caused by nuclear testing. Over 2,000 Nuclear Tests have been conducted since the very first nuclear explosion, the Trinity test on 16 July 1945 in New Mexico, United States. Together, the fallout from these tests dwarfed the amount of radioactivity released into the environment from any nuclear accident.

 Currently 183 States have signed the Treaty and 162 have ratified it (see interactive map). However for the CTBT to enter into force, eight States - from a list of 44 defined as nuclear technology holders - have yet to ratify to meet the Treaty’s stringent entry into force requirement: China, DPRK, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States.

United Nations Secretary-General's message for the fifth observance of the International Day against Nuclear tests in 2014.

On this day in 1991, Kazakhstan closed the nuclear test site near Semipalatinsk. On that same date in 1949, the Soviet Union conducted its first nuclear test, followed by another 455 nuclear tests over succeeding decades, with a terrible effect on the local population and environment.
These tests and the hundreds more that followed in other countries became hallmarks of a nuclear arms race, in which human survival depended on the doctrine of mutually assured destruction, known by its fitting acronym, MAD.
As Secretary-General, I have had many opportunities to meet with some of the courageous survivors of nuclear weapons and nuclear tests in Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Semipalatinsk. Their resolve and dedication should continue to guide our work for a world without nuclear weapons. 
On this International Day against Nuclear Tests, let us all take a fresh look at those survivors’ stories.  Listen to their words and imagine the effects of these detonations as if they were experienced by each of us.  Only then can we can better understand the imperative to renew our commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons and nuclear tests.
I wish to appeal particularly to citizens of those States that have not yet ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), especially the eight remaining Annex 2 States whose ratification is required for the Treaty’s entry into force: China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States.
Together, let us demand an end to all nuclear tests, get on with the unfinished business of achieving a world free of nuclear weapons, and usher in a safer and more prosperous future.

Ban Ki-moon

United Nations Secretary-General's message for International Day Against Nuclear Tests 2014

On this International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the international community reaffirms its commitment to secure the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which would prohibit all nuclear explosions. This would mark a welcome step toward a world without nuclear weapons. The CTBT has already made real progress toward achieving universal membership – more than 90 percent of UN Member States have signed the Treaty and 162 countries have ratified it. Eight states must ratify the Treaty in order for it to enter into force: China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States of America. I urge those states to act without further delay. I also call on all countries to refrain from nuclear tests, the use of new nuclear weapons technologies or any action that would defeat the object and purpose of the CTBT. We have recently witnessed a substantial growth of interest in better understanding the catastrophic humanitarian effects of nuclear weapons. Decades ago, awareness of the human and environmental consequences of nuclear detonations led to the global ban on nuclear tests. Today, the effects of nuclear weapons upon civilian populations, agriculture, livestock and ground-water supplies are better known and well documented. They have contributed significantly to our collective efforts towards achieving the prohibition and elimination of all nuclear weapons for all time. Together, let us demand an end to all nuclear tests and get on with the unfinished business of achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.

 Ban Ki-moon 

Message for the International Day Against Nuclear Tests 2014 by the President of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

On 29 August 1949, the first nuclear device was detonated at the Semipalatinsk test range in Kazakhstan. 60 years later, the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 64/37, declared 29 August as the International Day against Nuclear Tests, a day devoted to enhancing public awareness and education about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions and for highlighting the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Due to their massive power of destruction, the use of nuclear weapons would have catastrophic global consequences and would cause severe and long-lasting emergencies –  humanitarian, global health, climate, social order, human development, and economic. Access to social goods and services is predicated on the existence of peace and security. Development goals can only be achieved if we prevent such catastrophes on our planet. This must be a collective effort, because we face the risks posed by these weapons collectively, not as States with narrow national security interests.
As President of the 68th session of the General Assembly, I will mark this important international day by convening an informal meeting of the plenary of the General Assembly on 10 September 2014. I invite you to commemorate the International Day against Nuclear Tests with me to renew our commitment for the promotion of peace and security, one of the main purposes and principles of our United Nations.

John W. Ashe

2014 Events 

INFORMAL MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MARK THE OBSERVANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS

Programme

The Meeting is convened by H.E. Mr. John Ashe, President of the United Nations General Assembly, and organized in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
 
Date:  Wednesday, 10 September 2014
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Venue: Trusteeship Council, United Nations Headquarters

Opening Statements by:

• H.E. Mr. John Ashe, President of the United Nations General Assembly
• H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations
• H.E. Mr. Ermek Kosherbayev,  First Deputy of the Governor of Eastern Kazakhstan (Semipalatinsk region)

High-Level Interactive Panel on the Path to Zero: The Role of the United Nations in Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

The official opening ceremony will be followed by a High-Level Panel on the above theme. The panelists are expected to cover some key issues, including necessary steps for further progress on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, confidence building and other relevant issues.
 
Panel Details  
Moderator
H.E. Ambassador U. Joy Ogwu, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations
Speakers

• Ms. Angela Kane, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
• H.E. Ambassador Libran Cabactulan, Permanent Representative of Philippines to the United Nations
• H.E. Ambassador Guillermo  Rishchynski, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations
• Mr. Geoffrey Shaw, Representative of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency to the United Nations

The panel will be followed by observations and questions from Member States.

Entry
The Informal Meeting is open to all diplomats, think-tanks, the academic community, civil society and the media. Those without a UN Grounds Pass interested in these events should kindly contact: itilegen@yahoo.com,
or tel: 1-212-2301900, ext 322.

Resources :

Since the International Day against Nuclear Tests was first declared, there have been a number of significant developments, discussions and initiatives relevant to its goals and objectives as well as conferences convened to elaborate and advance these developments.

•  2013-2014 developments
•  The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
•  The Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Preparatory Commission.
•  The Road to Nuclear Test Ban Started Today
• ‘Hiroshima and Nagasaki’ CTBTO Newsroom
• Capacity Development Initiative (CDI) at CTBTO 
  Putting an end to nuclear exposions, CTBTO preparatory Commission

International Day against Nuclear Tests, August 29

29 August 2013, International Day against Nuclear Tests

 

 Messages :

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

 


Secretary-General's message for the fourth observance of the International Day against Nuclear tests in 2013


As we approach 29 August, the International Day against Nuclear Tests, let us maintain our momentum to end nuclear weapons testing and promote the achievement of a world free of nuclear weapons.

The strong and unified response to the nuclear test announced in February by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea demonstrated the international community’s commitment to uphold the global norm against nuclear tests.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty is a cornerstone of our work.  I once again urge all States to sign and ratify the CTBT – especially the eight remaining States whose ratifications are necessary for the Treaty to enter into force.  At the same time, all States should maintain or implement moratoria on nuclear explosions.
Civil society, academia and the mass media have a crucial advocacy role to play towards accomplishing these goals.  Let us work together to end nuclear weapons testing around the world and build a nuclear weapons-free world for our children.

The President of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

In resolution 64/35, the General Assembly declared 29 August as the International Day against Nuclear Tests, highlighting the importance of ending nuclear tests in order to avert their devastating and harmful effects on the lives and health of people and the environment.The Assembly devoted this important day to enhancing public awareness and education about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free-world. With this resolution, the General Assembly showed important leadership and responsibility in promoting peace and security, one of the main purpose and principle enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

As President of the General Assembly, I will mark this important international day by convening an informal meeting of the plenary of the General Assembly on 5 September 2013 under the overall theme “The Path to Zero”.

Nuclear tests and, ultimately, nuclear weapons, constitute a serious threat for all of us. Every effort should be undertaken to end nuclear tests. I invite you to be part of the celebration of the International Day against Nuclear Tests and to commemorate the day by renewing your commitment to strengthen public awareness and education about the negative effects of nuclear tests and to promote the ultimate goal of a nuclear weapons free world.

H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. 
UN Photo

2013 Events

INFORMAL MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MARK THE OBSERVANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS

Programme : 
The Meeting is convened by His Excellency Mr. Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, and organized in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Date: Thursday, 5 September 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Venue: United Nations Headquarter, Trusteeship Council
Opening statements by:

• H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly
• H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations (invited)
• Mr. Asset Issekeshev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan

High-Level Panel on the Path to Zero: The Role of the United Nations in Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

The official opening ceremony will be followed by a High-Level Panel on the above theme. The panelists are expected to cover some key issues, including necessary steps for further progress on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the establishment of further nuclear-weapon-free zones, confidence building and other relevant concerns.

Panel Details
Moderator
H.E. Ambassador Eduardo Ulibarri, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in New York
Speakers

• Ms. Angela Kane, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (invited)
• H.E. Ambassador Martin Sajdik, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations in New York
• Mr. Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary, Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test- Ban Treaty
• Mr. Geoffrey Shaw, Representative of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency to the United Nations
• Andrew S. Kanter, MD, Immediate Past-President, Physicians for Social Responsibility and Co-Vice President for North America, International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War

Lead Discussant
H.E. Ambassador Enrique Roman-Morey, Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations in New York.The panel will be followed by observations, and questions and answers from Member States.

EXHIBITION – Peace Now: Abolish Nuclear Tests and Weapons

An exhibition entitled, Peace Now: Abolish Nuclear Tests and Weapons, organized by the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the United Nations in cooperation with the UN Department of Public Information, will be held on the occasion of the observance of the 2013 International Day against Nuclear Tests (29 August).
Dates: 4 -8 September 2013
Venue: Main Corridor, First Floor, Conference Building of the United Nations on First Avenue.

Inauguration:
Wednesday, 4 September 2013, 6 p.m. at exhibition site.    

About the exhibition:
It will portray the paintings of the world renowned Kazakh artist, Mr. Karipbek Kuyukov, who paints only with his feet, being a victim of the effects of nuclear radiation. His art depicts the triumph of the human spirit over the horrors of nuclear testing. He is the designated Ambassador of the ATOM Project and has received international acclaim for his committed and tireless advocacy to achieve total nuclear abolition. 

There will also be a display of the ATOM Project (Abolish Testing Our Mission), the official project of the Government of Kazakhstan, to end all nuclear weapons tests.

Entry to the UN:
The Informal Meeting and the Exhibition are open to all diplomats, think-tanks, the academic community, civil society and the media. Those without a UN Grounds Pass interested in these events should contact: itilegen@yahoo.com, or tel.: +1 (212) 230-1900, ext. 322.

International Day against Nuclear Tests - 29 August

Since the International Day against Nuclear Tests was first declared, there have been a number of significant developments, discussions and initiatives relevant to its goals and objectives as well as conferences convened to elaborate and advance these developments.

2012 developments

The United States hosted the third “P5” Conference in Washington, D.C. in late June of this year in which China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States discussed cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, establishing a standard form of reporting, transparency and mutual confidence-building measures. The P5 also reaffirmed their continued commitment to promote the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and its universalization.

From 30 April-11 May 2012, the First Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) met in Vienna, Austria. The meeting allowed States to review the operation of the NPT and was the first opportunity since the 2010 adoption of an Action Plan to assess activities carried out by Sates and to consider what could be improved upon. Speaking for the first time in her new capacity as United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Angela Kane told the meeting that it is “the review process that helps to sustain the NPT as a living Treaty that is periodically assessed in light of the ever-evolving political and strategic circumstances of our times.”
A follow-up to the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit, which had been convened by US President Barak Obama in Washington DC, the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit took place this past March in Seoul, Korea with expanded participation. World leaders renewed commitments made at the 2010 conference including to continue to use the Work Plan of the Washington Summit as the framework for strengthening nuclear security, and to cooperate internationally on a coherent approach to “ensure the secure peaceful uses of nuclear energy.”

The Conference marking the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Ttatelolco took place in Mexico City in February 2012. The Treaty is an agreement among Latin American and Caribbean countries on the prohibition of nuclear weapons in their region. There are now 33 countries participating in this nuclear-weapons-free-zone (NWFZ). As International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano noted, this treaty was the motivation for several treaties around the world in Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. There are now 133 countries which belong to NWFZs.

International Day against Nuclear Tests - 29 August