Hi Friend,

We are now just over half-way through the second meeting of states parties to the TPNW, and Nuclear Ban Week New York. This week has been filled with activities, action, and engaged discussion to take down nuclear deterrence and take forward nuclear disarmament.

Kazakh youth at the Rally and March to Abolish Nuclear Weapons on Tuesday. Photo: ICAN | Darren Ornitz

Inside the UN, we have heard some incredibly powerful statements, including the opening address by ICAN’s Executive Director Melissa Parke, second-generation nuclear test survivor and ICAN Ambassador Karina Lester and a joint statement by 26 nuclear affected community-led organisations, delivered by Benetick Maddison:

We are people bound together by what nuclear weapons have inflicted. Our lives, our lands, our waters, and our communities were permanently changed by the development, testing and use of nuclear weapons. Our struggles against radioactive violence have continued for many decades, throughout the generations. We have the right and responsibility to speak about what nuclear weapons really do… We call on States Parties to the TPNW to push relentlessly for its universalisation.

The voices of affected communities have been a core part of the discussion, both in the plenary and in the many side events. We have also heard from key stakeholders including youth representatives, parliamentarians and the financial community. Still to come this week are additional discussions and debates on victim assistance and environmental remediation, national implementation measures, and the last negotiations and adoption of a final declaration - and many more exciting events. You can catch up on the highlights from this week and get the latest updates at our twice daily recap show: MSP-TV.

But this week, the treaty hasn’t just been felt at the UN: Nuclear Ban Week has taken over New York City! From a sold-out campaigners meeting, to some incredible artistic and cultural events, including the New Manhattan Project Concert, two Artists Against the Bomb exhibitions and a unique live performance of Koyaanisqatsi, amongst many other things. And the nuclear ban treaty is not just something happening in New York, we also saw some incredible actions in Tuscon, USA and York, UK among many others.

And the week is only half-way. We have two more big days of events and key decisions coming up ahead. 

We hope you will stay tuned. 

Susi Snyder
Project Coordinator
ICAN