The Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the United Nations in Geneva, in collaboration with the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, organized a special event titled "The Effects of Nuclear Tests on Health" at the Palais des Nations, DKnews.kz reports.
This event was held in commemoration of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, an occasion that marks the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.
The event underscored the ongoing commitment of Kazakhstan and IPPNW to advocate for a nuclear-free world and to address the critical health issues arising from nuclear tests.
In his remarks, the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan Yerlan Alimbayev reaffirmed our country’s dedication to advancing the cause of global peace and security and addressing the impacts of nuclear tests on health. A country that has suffered deeply from the effects of nuclear testing, Kazakhstan has been championing the cause for nuclear justice in all multilateral forums, including the Review Conference and PrepComs of the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons meetings, United Nations General Assembly, Conference on Disarmament and the UN Disarmament Commission.
The Office of United Nations Director-General in Geneva was represented by Cheffe de Cabinet Lidiya Grigoreva who delivered a welcome address, expressing the United Nations' support for initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the devastating consequences of nuclear tests and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in advancing the cause of nuclear disarmament.
The event featured presentations from distinguished speakers, including representatives from the Permanent Mission of Austria, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), and IPPNW. Speakers provided insights into the health impacts of nuclear tests, the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, and the critical need for global action to prevent future testing.
Furthermore, the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan organized a photo exhibition on the occasion of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests that will be on display at the United Nations in Geneva until 5 September 2024.
Since nuclear weapons testing began on 16 July 1945, over 2,000 tests have been conducted worldwide, resulting in significant environmental and health consequences. The Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan, where more than 460 nuclear tests were conducted, remains one of the most tragic examples of the long-term effects of such testing.
The International Day Against Nuclear Tests was established by the UN General Assembly in 2009 by resolution 64/35, to be commemorated annually on August 29. This day serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of nuclear testing and the urgent need to eliminate nuclear weapons.
Kazakhstan's efforts in the field of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation are well-documented and internationally recognized. The closure of the Semipalatinsk test site in 1991, initiated by Kazakhstan, was a historic step towards a nuclear-free world. Since then, Kazakhstan has consistently advocated for global nuclear disarmament, including through initiatives such as the Universal Declaration on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015, and Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, among others.
