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Nuclear Ban Week 2025 is in full swing, with a packed ICAN Campaigners Forum, a commemorative event marking Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day on 1 March and the start to the TPNW Third Meeting of States Parties at UN Headquarters in New York.
Nuclear Ban Week Events
On Saturday, the Marshallese Educational Initiative and the Permanent UN Mission of the Republic of the Marshallese Islands convened an event to honor Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day, an annual day to commemorate the detonation of the largest nuclear weapon ever detonated by the United States over Bikini Atoll. The first official observance of the national day in New York, the event included a ceremonial commemoration featuring expert speakers, including those who had experienced the impacts of nuclear testing firsthand, and a panel discussion on seeking nuclear justice. Across town, a walking exhibition of the Artists Against the Bomb project encouraged visitors to iconic sites like the Met Museum and Central Park to engage with these iconic artworks.
The ICAN Campaigners Forum, featuring more than 350 activists from at least 35 countries, showcased the diversity and power of our movement to end nuclear weapons. With opening presentations from advocates who have directly experienced the impacts of nuclear weapons, concluding remarks from the President of the Third Meeting of States Parties and simultaneous practical workshops on different types of campaigning in between, the day was packed from start to finish. The Forum welcomed old friends and new faces to the campaign and demonstrated the energy and momentum of ICAN.
Opening of 3MSP
The TPNW Third Meeting of States Parties began on Monday March 3rd at UN headquarters, with TPNW states parties, observing states and civil society in full attendance. During the opening statements in the high-level segment, governments, UN officials and civil society articulated their commitment to pursue a nuclear-weapon-free world and nuclear justice.
The President of the Third Meeting of States Parties, H.E. Ambassador Akan Rakhmetullin started the meeting by welcoming those in attendance who have been impacted by nuclear weapons detonations and declaring that the abolition of nuclear weapons is not an aspiration but an imperative in his opening remarks.
UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu cited the hope presented by the implementation of the TPNW and urged states parties to lay the groundwork at this upcoming meeting for its successful first Review Conference. Both speakers recognised the role of ICAN in the implementation of the TPNW, with H.E. Ambassador Akan Rakhmetullin stating that ICAN’s contribution was vital.
ICAN Executive Director Melissa Parke thanked TPNW states parties for their leadership and encouraged them to aim high. “In challenging times like these, we might be inclined to lower our expectations, to temper our demands. But the higher the stakes, the more ambitious we must be.”
2024 Nobel Laureate Nihon Hidankyo, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Ms. Taraem Taukaro from Kiribati, the Mexican Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, H.E. Enrico Ochoa also spoke during the high-level opening debate. The meeting then moved into a panel discussion on mobilizing efforts to prevent a nuclear war – international law and the growing global consensus.
Meanwhile, the ICAN Parliamentarian Conference at 3MSP brought together representatives from across the political spectrum, including parliamentarians from Japan, Norway, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France, French Polynesia, Canada, Scotland,and Austria to work for a nuclear-free world. Read more about the Conference here.
For resources and updates from the third Meeting of States Parties and related events throughout the week, please visit nuclearbanweek.org