International Day Against Nuclear Tests

Licorne test, 1971, French Polynesia - Photo:The Official CTBTO Photostream

On 2 December 2009, the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared 29 August the International Day against Nuclear Tests by unanimously adopting resolution 64/35.

The resolution calls for increasing awareness and education “about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.” The resolution was initiated by the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with a large number of sponsors and cosponsors, with a view to commemorating the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test site on 29 August 1991.

Find out more: (https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-nuclear-tests-day)

Ms Tina Cordova will be speaking at the UN on August 31st. Ms Cordova co-founded the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium 21 years ago with the late Fred Tyler. (www.trinitydownwinders.com) Their mission was to bring attention to the negative health effects suffered by the people of New Mexico as a result of the development and testing of the first atomic bomb detonated at the Trinity site. Ms Cordova is a cancer survivor and the 4th generation in a family with five generations diagnosed with cancer since the bomb was detonated in 1945.

Ms Cordova says:

"It will be an honour of a lifetime to tell the history of the sacrifice and

suffering of the people of New Mexico after having been overexposed to

radiation from atomic and nuclear testing to the UN General Assembly.

My hope is that once these leaders hear this history, they will

commit to a permanent ban on testing and

will work towards disarmament."

You can watch the General Assembly meeting either live or recorded at:

https://webtv.un.org/en

Today also sees the start of events on the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site.

Public Association “DOM” and the Qazaq Nuclear Frontline Coalition (QNFC / ASQAQ) are organising a series of events in Semey, Kazakhstan dedicated to the International Day against Nuclear Tests (IDANT) and the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site.

These events will bring together nuclear-affected communities, civil society representatives, experts, former policymakers, and international friends and partners from Japan, South Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, Canada, and other countries.

28 August 2026

On 28 August, they will host a Testimony Meeting with survivors and representatives of nuclear-affected communities, a former Member of Parliament, and our international friends and partners.

The meeting will provide a space to hear directly from people affected by nuclear testing, share experiences across countries and generations, and strengthen international solidarity around nuclear justice and disarmament.

They will also organise screenings of two films:

• JARA – Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan

• Atom Ulagan Dala (Atomic Steppe), inspired by Dr Togzhan Kassenova’s book Atomic Steppe

The screenings will be followed by a discussion on the humanitarian, environmental, gendered, and intergenerational consequences of nuclear testing.

29 August 2026

On the International Day against Nuclear Tests itself, they will first take part in the official commemorative ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site.

In the afternoon, they have organised the International Civil Society Forum for Peace in Semey.

The Forum will focus on historical memory and shared responsibility, the needs of nuclear-affected communities, gaps in Kazakhstan’s national legislation, victim assistance and environmental remediation, Kazakhstan’s obligations under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and the role of international cooperation.

A particularly important outcome of the Forum will be the adoption of the Semey Peace Declaration, a joint civil society document setting out priorities for addressing the consequences of nuclear testing, supporting affected communities, strengthening nuclear justice, and advancing international cooperation for nuclear disarmament.

They will translate the Semey Peace Declaration into English and share it with us after its adoption and after events here in Semey.

Aigerim Seitenavoa, Co-Founder of QNFC told us:

"We are grateful for your continued solidarity and partnership. For us, the

35th anniversary is not only a moment to remember the closure of the

test site, but also an opportunity to reaffirm our shared responsibility

to survivors, affected communities, future generations, and the

global movement for a world free from nuclear weapons

and nuclear testing".

UK Government

The UK Government welcomed the International Day Against Nuclear Testing in 2013.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-welcomes-the-international-day-against-nuclear-testing-and-is-entirely-committed-to-the-goals-of-ctbt)

We have written to the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and the Minister for Veterans' & People for a statement supporting the day of recognition. We will post a reply should we receive one. Our reminder is probably the first time they have heard about the day.

It is important to take the time to remember the testing programs across the world and the communities affected by them, and we must educate our politicians.

Reply from the Ministry of Defence - 28th August 2026

"We recognise the importance of this day for people and communities across the globe, including Nuclear Test Veterans, and the UK remains committed to the principles of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The MOD also remains committed to working with the nuclear community."