Global leaders rallied for nuclear disarmament at a high-level United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting on Friday, marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. With tensions over nuclear risks reaching new heights, the event underscored the urgent need for international cooperation to avert catastrophe.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a 'dangerous nuclear arms race' fueled by geopolitical instability. 'Nuclear disarmament is the foundation of peace,' he declared, urging nuclear-armed states to prioritize dialogue and transparency. Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th UNGA session, highlighted existing frameworks like the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and called for stricter compliance.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, emphasized Beijing's commitment to a nuclear-free world. 'The complete prohibition of nuclear weapons aligns with humanity's common interests,' he stated, while acknowledging 'unprecedented challenges' to disarmament efforts amid rising global tensions.
The meeting marked the 10th anniversary of the UNGA resolution establishing September 26 as a day to raise awareness about nuclear threats. While progress remains slow, participants stressed that multilateral treaties and sustained diplomacy offer the clearest path forward.
