The United Nations, from its inception, recognized the horrors of atomic warfare and pledged to prevent their recurrence. The first UN resolution, passed in 1946, called for the elimination of atomic weapons and other instruments of mass destruction following the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Now, more than 77 years later, a new resolution seeks to address the destruction and harm wrought by nuclear weapons over the decades.
In 1946, the United States was the sole possessor of atomic weapons, but this did not halt its nuclear program. Over the years, it amassed a massive arsenal, developed more powerful weapons, and conducted tests that posed risks to populations worldwide. Other nations, including the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France, and China, followed suit. Today, nine countries possess nuclear weapons, and there are still over 12,000 warheads in existence, enough to pose a grave threat to humanity.
Despite the lack of complete disarmament, the symbolic significance of the first UN resolution cannot be underestimated. It inspired numerous resolutions, leading to international treaties like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. These efforts may not have achieved full success, but they have undeniably mitigated the existential threat posed by nuclear arms.
Nuclear weapons have not only threatened humanity through direct attacks but have also left a trail of victims in their wake. Uranium miners, atomic veterans, and those living downwind from nuclear tests have suffered radiation exposure, health issues, and displacement from their homes. The impacts have been far-reaching and multigenerational.
Nuclear tests occurred worldwide, affecting people on various continents. In the Marshall Islands, the U.S. conducted numerous tests with devastating consequences. Similarly, Kazakhstan’s Semipalatinsk test site exposed a vast population to high radiation levels. The Republic of Kiribati experienced 33 nuclear tests near its shores, but neither the UK nor the U.S. has shared radiological data with the affected population. In Algeria, the French carried out nuclear tests, and recent research suggests higher radiation exposure in French Polynesia than previously estimated.
Two nations, Kazakhstan and Kiribati, have been at the forefront of addressing the legacy of nuclear testing. They have played a crucial role in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which includes provisions for victim assistance and environmental remediation. A resolution, titled “Addressing the Legacy of Nuclear Weapons: Providing Victim Assistance and Environmental Remediation to Member States Affected by the Use or Testing of Nuclear Weapons,” has been introduced in the UN General Assembly. This resolution emphasizes the shared goal of a world free of nuclear weapons and calls for greater international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian consequences of nuclear explosions.
This resolution represents a vital step forward. By supporting it, all states, particularly those that have inflicted harm through nuclear testing, can embark on the necessary journey of addressing this devastating history. It is not only a step toward justice for the victims but also a demonstration of the importance of international cooperation in our troubled world.
