On August 29, 1949 the Soviet Union detonated its first nuclear weapons test, code-named First Lightning in the eastern region of Kazakhstan. The nuclear chain reaction deposited radioactive fallout throughout the region. Over the next 40 years, the Soviet Union detonated another 455 nuclear weapons in Kazakhstan – causing horrific
On October 27, the Disarmament and International Security Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a ground-breaking resolution Taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations. The resolution establishes a UN conference in 2017 ‘to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination.’ This
Those involved in Chain Reaction 2016 will have no trouble agreeing that its campaigning time has passed in the twinkling of an eye, most certainly shaking up an incredible number of cities with creative nonviolent events and actions to protest nuclear weapons activities and to celebrate nuclear disarmament initiatives. Ground
Chain Reaction activists in Berlin today ‘locked up’ a nuclear missile about to be fired in the Platz der Republik, Berlin front of the German Parliament. The 3DnukeBerlin street art emulated an actual nuclear missile in a missile silo. Peace campaigners from around the world today and members of the
[Photo: Astana Conference Building a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World at which the Astana Vision Declaration was adopted]. On 29 August 2016, political and military leaders, legislators, religious leaders, representatives of international organisations, academics, scientists, medical professionals, lawyers, youth, and other representatives of civil society from around the world met in Astana, the
UN Secretary-General’s message for the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, September 26, 2016 Nuclear disarmament is one of the founding principles of the United Nations. It was the objective of the first General Assembly resolution. Disarmament is in our DNA. I have been proud to advance
Peace and sustainable development require action on disarmament – especially nuclear disarmament – remarked Mr. Kim Won-soo, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, at a special UN event yesterday commemorating the International Day for Peace. The event, which was organised by the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates and the
September 26 is the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. The day provides an opportunity to educate the public, and national leaders, about the benefits of eliminating such weapons, and the social and economic costs of perpetuating them. Please inform us of your action or event. We
Jayantha Dhanapala, a keynote speaker at the international conference Building a Nuclear Weapon Free World, is one of the most successful diplomats in the nuclear disarmament field. Fiachra O Raghallaigh, Researcher for the World Future Council, reflects on some of his successes. Have you ever asked yourself how world leaders,
Last Friday (August 19) in Geneva, after 15 days of deliberations over 3 months, the UN Open Ended Working group on nuclear disarmament (OEWG) adopted a report with three recommendations that will be forwarded to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for action. (See: Advance copy of the OEWG report