International Day for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, September 26th

Dear friends and colleagues,

 

We cordially invite you and/or your organization to endorse the Joint Appeal for Nuclear Abolition Day (September 26). We also invite you to join another event or action on Nuclear Abolition Day to reduce nuclear risks, prevent nuclear war and advance the global elimination of nuclear weapons.UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns that “Growing geopolitical divisions and mistrust are driving tensions to new heights. Instead of dialogue and diplomacy being deployed to end the nuclear threat, another nuclear arms race is taking shape, and saber-rattling is re-emerging as a tactic of coercion. We need to stop the madness before it’s too late.” The United Nations has declared September 26 to be the International Day for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. In order to build civil society action and cooperation for the day, a network of organizations, working in consultation with the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs, has established NuclearAbolitionDay.org.

1. Endorse the September 26 Joint Appeal  
   The appeal calls on governments to announce concrete plans at the UN High Level Meeting on Nuclear Disarmament on September 26 to reduce nuclear risks and prevent nuclear war, shift nuclear weapons budgets and investments to meet human and economic needs, and achieve the global elimination of nuclear weapons within a strict timeframe. 
   The appeal is open for endorsement by individuals and organizations and will be presented to world leaders at the UN on September 26. (See below for a sample of current endorsers. The full list is on the Joint Appeal page). 
   
   
2.  Undertake the September 26 social media action Stop Nuclear Weapons: Peace is in our Hands. 
   This action – which can be done by anyone, anywhere – is based on a hand raised with palm facing forwards, which is a universal message to stop. Hands are also what we use to greet each other, create things and build cooperation. For examples, please visit Stop Nuclear Weapons: Peace is in our Hands. 
   
   
3. Organize or join an event 
   Post your Nuclear Abolition Day event on our events page to inform and engage others, or join an event already being planned.

Communications and Coordination Team, Sep 26 NuclearAbolitionDay.org Working Group* Organizations:

• Asociación Chilena Pro Naciones Unidas (Chile), United Nations Association of Chile
• Back from the Brink Coalition (USA)
• Canadian Voice of Women for Peace (Canada)
• Center for Civil Liberties (Ukraine), Nobel Peace Prize Recipient, 2022
• Centre for Peacebuilding Organizations (Nigeria)
• Club G100 Global Women Network (International)
• CND Cymru (Wales, UK), the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Wales
• Human Survival Project (Australia)
• Initiatives for Nuclear Disarmament (France)
• Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (USA)
• International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms (International)
• International Peace Bureau (International), Nobel Peace Prize Recipient, 1910
• International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War – Nigeria Section (Nigeria)
• Middle East Treaty Organization (Israel)
• Movement for the Abolition of War (UK)
• Pact for a Sustainable Tomorrow (Kenya)
• Pax Christi International (International)
• Peace Action (USA)
• Peace Depot (Japan)
• Physicians for Social Responsibility/IPPNW Swiss Section (Switzerland)
• Pugwash France (France)
• Science for Peace (Canada)
• United for Peace and Justice (USA)
• United Nations Association London and South-East Region (UK) 
  
• United Nations Association of New York (USA)
• Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons (International)
• Women’s Initiatives Human Rights Foundation (Libya)
• Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US (USA)
• World BEYOND War (International)
• World Future Council (International)
• World’s Youth for Climate Justice (International)
• Youth Fusion (International), Youth network of Abolition 2000

Individuals:

• Tadatoshi Akiba (Japan), former Mayor of Hiroshima and President of Mayors for Peace.
• Gareth Evans (Australia), former Foreign Minister of Australia and Co-Chair of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament;
• Ela Gandhi (South Africa), Honorary Co-President of Religions for Peace and grand-daughter of Mahatma Gandhi;
• Christine Muttonen (Austria), Former President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly;
• General Bernard Norlain (France), Former Air Combat Commander of the French Air Force;
• Kunihiko Shimada (Japan), Principal Director, Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe)
• Cherrill Spencer (USA). Co-Chair, DISARM/End Wars Committee of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom USA
• Dr. Nazlı Töre (Turkey). Associate Professor, Turkish Council of Women
• Paul Walker (USA), Vice-Chair, Arms Control Association Board, Right Livelihood Laureate 2013