International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, 5 March 2025
Global arms reduction and disarmament are essential in shaping the international order and fostering peace and security, which are at the heart of the United Nations since its establishment. However, the current global machinery of war appears threatening. While worldwide war expenditure climbed up to $2.24 trillion in 2022, currently over 12000 nuclear arms compromise global security. Therefore, the international community's scrutiny of emerging weapon systems, like autonomous weapons, is essential to protecting global security.
March 5 is commemorated every year in respect of the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness established by resolution A/RES/77/5.
The importance of this day is highlighted in the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
Humanity’s future depends on investing in the machinery of peace, not the machinery of war.
On March 5, 2025, the General Assembly invites all Member States, UN organizations and bodies, and individuals to engage in public educational and awareness raising activities to this end all over the world. Educational activities shall include projects aimed at understanding the role of disarmament in strengthening peace and security, preventing the suffering caused by armed conflict, and ultimately eliminating warfare. The concept includes education both “on” and “for” disarmament and non-proliferation, having the goal of equipping citizens with abilities and knowledge to provide their participation to the disarmament process. On this regard, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs made available numerous informative materials on Disarmament Education.
Moreover, from March 3 to 7, 2025, the third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Treaty was adopted on 7 July 2017 at the United Nations and entered into force on 22 January 2021. It was the first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty negotiated in over two decades. During the meeting, States Parties will debate the status of the Treaty, as well as the risks of nuclear conflict and its devastating humanitarian consequences. Eventually, a political declaration will be adopted.
To this day, weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons, pose a persistent threat to all of humanity. Moreover, the increasing number of reserves and deployment of conventional armament coupled with illegal small arms trafficking endanger peace and security efforts.
Find more on disarmament education here.