(VOVWORLD) - September 26 is mandated International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. This is an opportunity for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to act for a world free from nuclear weapons.
 The US Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. (Photo: Sputnik/VNA) |
Statistics of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) show that there are about 12,100 nuclear warheads in the world. More than half of the world's population lives in countries that possess nuclear weapons or are members of nuclear alliances. Although the number of deployed nuclear weapons has decreased significantly since the Cold War, the implementation of nuclear arms reduction agreements has been virtually stopped. No nuclear disarmament negotiations are underway.
Japan and 11 other countries, including three nuclear powers, the US, UK and France, on September 23 agreed to immediately start a negotiation on a proposed treaty banning the production of fissile materials, including highly enriched uranium and plutonium, for nuclear weapons.
In a joint statement after the UN General Assembly meeting, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said a Fissile Material Reduction Treaty (FMCT) would contribute significantly to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Kishida told the meeting that a strong political will is needed to start FMCT negotiations.