International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons serves as an annual reminder of the global community's commitment to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. The observance, supported by the United Nations General Assembly, seeks to raise global awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons use and the collective need for their total eradication. As a nation that has voluntarily disarmed its nuclear weapons, South Africa plays a significant role in promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts worldwide.

South Africa's history in relation to nuclear weapons is noteworthy. During the apartheid era, South Africa developed a limited nuclear weapons program, making it the only African nation to have successfully developed and later dismantled its nuclear weapons. The country's voluntary disarmament in the early 1990s reinforced its commitment to the global goal of a nuclear-free world. This history places South Africa in a unique position to advocate for complete nuclear disarmament and stress the importance of International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons for the African continent and beyond.

On International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, which is observed on September 26th, South Africa participates in various activities aimed at raising awareness and promoting dialogue on the importance of nuclear disarmament. The South African government, alongside civil society organizations, often holds educational events, discussions, and forums on this day to engage citizens in the global effort towards a world without nuclear weapons. South Africa's continued commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation showcases its dedication to creating a more secure and peaceful world for all.

Facts about this observance

• The only sure way to eliminate the threat posed by nuclear weapons is to eliminate the weapons themselves - UN Secretary-General António Guterres
• The first resolution on nuclear disarmament was actually adopted by the UN in 1946 as its very first resolution reflecting the concern about the use of nuclear weapons.
• September 26th also marks the anniversary of the incident in 1983 when a Soviet Union officer, Stanislav Petrov, averted a potential nuclear war by correctly identifying a reported nuclear missile attack by the United States as a false alarm.
• South Africa successfully developed six gun-type fission devices, which could be delivered by air using a modified bomber aircraft. However, these devices were never tested or used in any conflict.
• In 1991, South African President F.W. de Klerk announced the decision to dismantle the country's nuclear weapons arsenal and to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), effectively making South Africa a non-nuclear-weapon state.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

Top things to do in South Africa for this observance

• Watch Atomic Bomb: The Hidden Story (2014).
• Read South Africa and Proliferation: Deterring the Spread of Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Weapons by S. Tyson Krause.