March 3, 2023
To mark the first-ever International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, the Permanent Mission of Kyrgyzstan to the United Nations together with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs co-hosted a virtual launch event on Wednesday March 1, 2023.
The event served the purpose of commemorating the new international Day with Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, civil society, youth, academia, media, and other interested parties.
Additionally, this inaugural event provided the opportunity to spotlight the role of disarmament education as a tool for peace and security, as highlighted in the resolution.
Launch event speakers via Zoom.
Background
The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness seeks to promote awareness and better understanding of disarmament and non-proliferation issues among the public.
Since the founding of the United Nations, the goals of multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation have been central to the Organization’s efforts to maintain international peace and security.
Weapons of mass destruction, in particular nuclear weapons, continue to be of primary concern, owing to their destructive power and the threat that they pose to humanity. New and emerging weapon technologies, such as autonomous weapons, imperil global security and have received increased attention from the international community in recent years.
Observed on 5 March, the day that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons entered into force, the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness plays a role in deepening the global public’s understanding about how disarmament efforts contribute to enhancing peace and security, preventing and ending armed conflicts, and curbing human suffering caused by weapons.
Through resolution A/RES/77/51, the General Assembly invites all Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system, civil society, academia, the media and individuals to commemorate the International Day, including through all means of educational and public awareness-raising activities.
Opening addresses and panel discussion
The launch event featured opening addresses by:
- H.E. Mr. Zheenbek Kulubaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic
- H.E. Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
- H.E. Mr. Csaba Korösi, President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Moderator
- E. Mrs. Aida Kasymalieva, Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations
The opening addresses were followed by a substantive discussion around the following questions:
- In these challenging times, how do we mobilize wide-scale support for disarmament and non-proliferation?
- There is a pressing need for authoritative, far-reaching, and inclusive disarmament education. How do we enhance the reach, sustainability, and impact of disarmament education across the globe?
- What is one thing that you/your Mission/Organization will do this year to raise awareness and promote disarmament and disarmament education? What do you encourage others to do?
Discussants:
- E. Mr. IshikaneKimihiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
- Maria Antonieta Jaquez Huacuja, Director for Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Control, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
- William Potter, Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
- Naomi Ekpoki, Founder of the Senema Love Foundation (SLF), a youth led organization in Nigeria
- Video-message from the Pacific Youth
Dr. William Potter speaking via Zoom.
Q&A session
Following the panel discussion, the moderator gave the floor to participants for comments and additional interventions.
