Disarmament Week 2024: History, Theme, and Significance
Disarmament Week seeks to promote awareness and a better understanding of disarmament issues and their cross-cutting importance. Starting on 24 October, the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, the week-long annual observance was first called for in the Final Document of the General Assembly’s 1978 special session on disarmament. The observation begins on 24 October and concludes on 30 October.
Throughout history, countries have pursued disarmament to build a safer, more secure world and to protect people from harm. Since the foundation of the United Nations, disarmament and arms control have played a critical role in preventing and ending crises and armed conflict. Heightened tensions and dangers are better resolved through serious political dialogue and negotiation—not by more arms.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres conveyed:
Disarmament must be brought back to the centre of our common efforts for peace and security.
History of Disarmament Week
Disarmament Week started on the same day the United Nations (U.N.) was founded – October 24, 1945. Disarmament Week was first established in 1978 after the United Nations General Assembly held a special session on disarmament. Eventually, in 1995, the General Assembly invited governments, non-governmental organizations, and other international agencies to take part in Disarmament Week, as outlined in a “Final Document.” They participated to show their support and spread awareness about global issues like disarmament.
In 1952, the U.N. Security Council made inroads into this disarmament agenda by setting up the United Nations Disarmament Commission (U.N.D.C.), which was charged with the task of preparing proposal documents to instate a treaty for regulating and reducing the number of armed forces and weapons possessed by nations around the world. Also, it urges countries to get rid of all their nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Globally, there are still around 30,000 to 50,000 nuclear warheads.
The theme of Disarmament Week 2024
The theme for Disarmament Week 2024 is “Promoting Global Peace and Security.” This theme emphasizes the importance of disarmament in achieving global peace and security, focusing on key areas such as nuclear disarmament, conventional arms control, and preventing illicit arms trafficking
‘In-Principle’ approval for five new sites for locating nuclear power plants
Significance of Disarmament Week
Disarmament Week, observed annually from October 24 to 30, holds profound significance in promoting global peace and security. It serves to:
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Raise Awareness: Highlighting the importance of disarmament in reducing the threat of conflict and enhancing global security.
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Foster Dialogue: Encouraging international discussions and cooperation on arms control and disarmament issues.
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Educate the Public: Informing people about the dangers posed by various types of weapons, including nuclear, chemical, and conventional arms.
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Advocate for Policy Change: Pushing for stronger disarmament policies and international agreements to prevent the proliferation of weapons.
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Promote Peace: Reinforcing the idea that disarmament is crucial for achieving long-lasting peace and stability in the world.
Quick Facts about Disarmament
The nuclear-weapon states (NWS) are the five states—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—officially recognized as possessing nuclear weapons by the NPT. Here are quick facts about US nuclear arms:
- Total number of nuclear missiles built, 1951-present: 67,500
- Estimated construction costs for more than 1,000 ICBM launch pads and silos, and support facilities, from 1957-1964: nearly $14,000,000,000
- The peak number of US nuclear warheads and bombs in the stockpile/year: 32,193/1966
- Largest and smallest nuclear bombs ever deployed: B17/B24 (~42,000 lbs., 10-15 megatons); W54 (51 lbs., .01 kilotons, .02 kilotons-1 kiloton)
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