Join us in pushing for the total elimination of Nuclear weapons. 26 September: UN-led International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons By Rene Wadlow “The struggle against the nuclear weapon cult and threats it poses to the international peace, security, and development, like all struggles against belief systems which have outlived their times, is going to be long and arduous.” ~K. Subrahmanyam. Nuclear Proliferation and International Security. The United Nations General Assembly has designated 26 September as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, being celebrated this year for the second time “to enhance public awareness and education about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their total elimination in order to mobilize international efforts toward achieving the common goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.” Achieving global nuclear disarmament or at least forms of nuclear arms control is one of the oldest goals of the UN. Nuclear weapon control was the subject of the first resolution of the UN General Assembly and it is the heart of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). “Each of the Parties to the Treaty undertakes to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.” A Review Conference on the Treaty is held at the United Nations once every five years since 1975, and the representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have constantly reminded governments of their lack of “good faith”. I chaired the NGO representatives at the 1975 and 1980 Review Conferences, and while our views were listened to with some interest, the Review Conferences have been a reflection...

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