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Disarmament Week – the United Nations

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“Disarmament must be brought back to the centre of our common efforts for peace and security.” -António Guterres Beginning on October 24th, the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Disarmament Week will commence to spread awareness on disarmament initiatives which have been historically used by countries throughout the…

24 October 2022@

October 24, 2022- October 30, 2022
RSVP
Location
Online
Host/Contributor
United Nations Secretariat

“Disarmament must be brought back to the centre of our common efforts for peace and security.” -António Guterres

Beginning on October 24th, the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Disarmament Week will commence to spread awareness on disarmament initiatives which have been historically used by countries throughout the world to establish international peace and security. The week-long annual event was first introduced in 1978 following a special session of the General Assembly on disarmament, presented in resolution S-10/2. In 1995, the General Assembly welcomed NGO’s and governments alike to participate in Disarmament week (resolution 50/72 B ) as a way to facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement and thereby increase public understanding of the key role disarmament plays in resolving conflicts.

In these unprecedented times when war continues to be waged in Ukraine and Russia’s threats of engaging in nuclear warfare loom throughout the international community’s consciousness, calls to promote disarmament measures are needed now more than ever before. The continued illicit trade of conventional weapons in addition to the emergence of new technologies, such as that of autonomous weapons, are further jeopardizing international peace and security and putting the fate of humanity in grave risk. Disarmament measures can foster diplomatic dialogue and peaceful negotiations, which can work to safeguard humanity and protect the well-being of future generations and the planet as a whole. Development and Disarmament are interconnected in a multitude of ways, which is why states must commit to disarmament measures in order for the Sustainable Development Agenda to succeed. Complete disarmament will continue to be at the forefront of disarmament measures, which is prevalent in Secretary-General António Guterres’ New Agenda for Disarmament as part of his Our Common Agenda. This New Agenda for Disarmament will be a key topic of conversation this week as countries, various UN bodies, and civil society members coalesce to share their proposals on taking steps towards creating a world without weapons of mass destruction, insothat the international community can effectively live up to the principles of peace and security which the United Nations was founded upon.

To find about more about Disarmament Week and look for ways to get involved, visit the United Nation’s website by clicking here.

26 October: Nuclear disarmament, climate change and the UN Summit of the Future

An inter-generational event during UN Disarmament Week (Oct 24-30) Includes presentation of the Protect People and the Planet Appeal
Wednesday October 26, 1:15pm-2:45pm.
In-person: Governor’s Room, 2nd Floor, UN Millennium Hilton Hotel, One UN Plaza, New York
Registration: https://forms.gle/5VUTqL7xeb6RAyiJ6
Live-streamed on Basel Peace Office facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BaselPeaceOffice

Background

On September 8, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly decided (by resolution A/RES/76/307) to hold a “Summit of the Future: multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow” in September 2024 at the UN in New York, preceded by a preparatory ministerial meeting to be held in September 2023. It is expected that the Summit will adopt a Pact for the Future and establish a UN Special Envoy for Future Generations.

Nuclear war and climate change pose existential threats to current and future generations. The Summit of the Future provides opportunities to reduce the risk of nuclear war, advance the legal and political requirements to eliminate nuclear weapons, stabilize the climate and protect the most vulnerable communities already impacted by climate change.

Our Oct 26 event will focus on nuclear disarmament, climate change and the UN Summit of the Future. It will include presentation of the civil society appeal Protect People and the Planet: Appeal for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World which makes the connection between nuclear abolition and climate protection, and calls for the total elimination of nuclear weapons to be achieved no later than 2045, the 100th anniversary of the United Nations.

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topics
Conflict Prevention, Disarmament and Nonproliferation, Peace & Security

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