For information only - not an official document

UNIS/DC/003
27 August 2012

Commemorating International Day Against Nuclear Tests

NEW YORK/VIENNA, 29 August (UN Information Service) - The worldwide observance of the third annual International Day against Nuclear Tests will be on Wednesday 29 August 2012. The day highlights the efforts of the United Nations and a growing community of advocates, including Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, youth networks and media in informing and educating on the importance of the nuclear-test-ban for the achievement of a safer and more secure world.

Activities ranging from symposia and conferences to exhibits and competitions are expected to take place throughout the world to call attention to the dangers of nuclear weapon test explosions, the threats posed to humans and the environment, and the need to ultimately eliminate all nuclear weapons and their testing.

August 29th was chosen by the General Assembly as the annual commemoration date against nuclear tests because it marks the day in 1991 when Semipalatinsk, one of the largest test sites in the world, was closed for good. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was opened for signature in 1996, but has yet to enter into force.

The International Day against Nuclear Tests, established by General Assembly resolution 64/35, then presented at the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan, was first observed in 2010, to promote the idea that "every effort should be made to end nuclear tests in order to avert devastating and harmful effects on the lives of people… and, that the end of nuclear tests is one of the key means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world."

The complete programme line-up can be found at: http://www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/2012/events2012.shtml

For further information on the Day and on the nuclear tests-related issues, please go to www.un.org/en/no-nucleartests, which is available in all six UN official languages.

* *** *

Contacts:

United Nations Department of Public Information
Mikhail Seliankin
Email: seliankin[at]un.org

United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
Ewen Buchanan
Email: buchanane[at]un.org

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations
Telephone: (+1-212) 230-1900 ext 322 or 326