International Day against Nuclear Tests

International Day against Nuclear Tests

International Day against Nuclear Tests is a globally observed event that serves to raise awareness and generate support towards the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons testing. The primary goal is to advocate for a safer, more secure world, free of the threats posed by nuclear weapons. It urges governments and individuals to take steps towards disarmament, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts and heightened diplomacy to achieve these ends.

The origins of International Day against Nuclear Tests date back to 2009, when the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution establishing the observance. For the people in the United Kingdom, the day is an opportunity to reflect on the nation's own history relating to nuclear tests, specifically those carried out in the 1950s and 1960s at locations such as Maralinga in Australia and Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Pacific. The British government, recognising the adverse long-term effects of such tests, has since made strides in contributing to non-proliferation efforts and supporting the goals of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

In the United Kingdom, International Day against Nuclear Tests is observed through various events and initiatives organised by governmental and non-governmental organisations. These activities seek to promote public awareness about the dangers of nuclear testing and the need for global disarmament. Educational programmes, seminars, and conferences that discuss the human and environmental impacts of nuclear weapons are often held as part of the observance. International Day against Nuclear Tests takes place annually on the 29th of August in the United Kingdom and around the world.

Facts about Nuclear Testing

• Over the past 6 decades, the United States, Russia, and France have carried out the most nuclear tests. They have conducted 1,032, 715, and 210 tests respectively.
• There are an estimated total of 16,400 nuclear weapons on Earth today.
• Russia and the United States currently possess the largest nuclear weapon stockpiles, accounting for approximately 90% of global nuclear weapons.
• In total, the UK has conducted a total of 45 nuclear tests between 1952 and 1991. The majority of these tests took place in cooperation with the United States and Australia.
• The UK halted atmospheric nuclear testing in 1958 following global concerns about the environmental impact and growing opposition to nuclear weapons. Following this, all further UK nuclear tests were conducted underground.

In the News and Trending in the UK for International Day against Nuclear Tests

Top things to do in the UK for this observance

• Attend the meeting held by the president of the UN General Assembly by either going to the event in person or watching the recorded webcast.
• Check out the Atomic Bomb Museum in Orford Ness. The museum provides visitors with an in-depth look at the history of nuclear testing in Britain, as well as details on the British Atomic Testing programme.
• Visit the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Museum in Aldermaston. The museum provides visitors with a detailed history of nuclear weapons and testing in the UK, as well as interactive exhibits and educational material.