High-Level Meeting on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

September 26, 2025 | UN General Assembly, New York

In 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 68/32. The resolution was proposed by Indonesia on behalf of members of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries (NAM), and it declared 26 September as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Numerous nuclear-armed States skipped the high-level event, namely: France, Israel, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 

Nihon Hidankyo Statement

Satoshi Tanaka (hibakusha from Hiroshima)

In his statement, Tanaka declared that “humanity is standing at the brink of extinction.” He invoked the Doomsday Clock, set at 89 seconds to midnight, as an urgent call to action. Tanaka implored attendees to engage with Nuclear Weapon States towards progress on the total elimination of nuclear weapons. 

His remarks were followed by thunderous applause from Member States and civil society organizations in attendance. Tanaka was also interviewed by the UN Department of Global Communications. You can watch the interview here.

Member State Highlights 

Kiribati 

Kiribati echoed concerns over the humanitarian and environmental impact of nuclear weapons. The Pacific State highlighted the enduring legacy of nuclear weapon testing over its skies and ocean, poisoning the land and spreading cancer. Kiribati requested States to support its updated resolution on the legacy of nuclear weapons and affected communities, which will be tabled during the upcoming First Committee. Additionally, Kiribati announced its efforts to establish a nuclear justice center on Kirtimati (Christmas) Island.

Kazakhstan

Calling nuclear weapons “the greatest threat to humanity,” Kazakhstan recalled the very first resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1946 (calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons). Kazakhstan also recalled the over 450 nuclear tests conducted at Semipalatinsk, and highlighted the importance of negative security assurances in the context of States in a Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone (NWFZ). 

Kazakhstan expressed its concern, echoed by numerous States, over the injection of artificial intelligence into nuclear weapon systems. Kazakhstan highlighted its joint efforts with Kiribati to provide victim assistance and environmental remediation. Lastly, Kazakhstan placed the onus of responsibility on Nuclear Weapon States to limit the role of nuclear weapons in their security doctrines and work towards preventing nuclear buildup. 

New Zealand

New Zealand began its remarks by acknowledging the legacy of nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific, and commended the establishment of a South Pacific NWFZ. New Zealand lamented the rise of explicit and implicit threats to use nuclear weapons, noting that tensions are at levels unseen since the Cold War. New Zealand articulated four actionable calls:

1. All States possessing or relying on nuclear weapons to take concrete steps towards disarmament.

2. All States outside the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to join the treaty as non-Nuclear Weapon States.

3. All States that have yet to sign and ratify the Comprehensive-Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) to do so without delay.

4. All States yet to sign and ratify the TPNW to do so, recognizing it as the “clearest legal rejection of nuclear weapons.”

Acknowledging the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, New Zealand expressed satisfaction with the UN General Assembly’s adoption of resolution A/RES/79/238 entitled, “Nuclear war effects and scientific research.” The resolution mandates a panel of scientific experts to articulate the effects of nuclear war, presumably to build momentum towards nuclear disarmament.

Austria

Austria began its remarks by noting the “unprecedented strain” on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regimes. Austria invoked the humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons use, and called upon all States to take “concrete steps” towards the elimination of nuclear weapons by joining the TPNW. Austria expressed their satisfaction with the fact that the global majority has now signed or ratified the TPNW.

South Africa

South Africa highlighted how the possession of nuclear weapons imply the potential use of them. In that vein, it declared that the possession of nuclear weapons is incompatible with International Humanitarian Law (IHL.) It also called upon all States to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) without delay. South Africa expressed support for the creation of NWFZs, particularly in the Middle East, and warned against the use of interpretive language and declarations towards the achievement of a Middle East NWFZ. 

The Arab Group

Iraq (on behalf of the Arab Group) delivered a statement raising concerns over rapidly rising expenditures on renewing and maintaining nuclear weapon arsenals, and the lack of progress towards the establishment of a Middle East NWFZ. The Arab Group also expressed concern over the integration of artificial intelligence into nuclear weapon systems and decision-making processes.

Implications on the 2026 NPT RevCon

It is evident that States have yet to identify convergences, particularly on actionable items. The lack of participation from Nuclear Weapon States also does not serve the interests of nuclear abolition. The present impasse, despite the inclusion of environmental and humanitarian impacts into the wider framework of nuclear disarmament, persists. From NWFZs to artificial intelligence, a pattern of omissions emerges from States’ statements. The selective concern for some aspects of nuclear disarmament but not others erodes the upcoming 2026 NPT RevCon’s chances of success. Nevertheless,, while the wheels of progress are still moving.