Nairobi: The United Nations has warned that nuclear tests do not demonstrate strength, but instead erode trust, trigger arms races, and leave devastating humanitarian and environmental consequences for generations. The UN gave the warning at a hybrid event on Wednesday in commemoration of the 2026 International Day against Nuclear Tests. The event had the theme, ‘Humanitarian and Ecological Consequences of Nuclear Weapons Use and Testing’. It was organised by the UN Office in Nairobi (UNON), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Kenya.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the day is observed annually on Aug. 29 in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution 64/35 of Dec. 2, 2009. The event also marked the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the 20th anniversary of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia.
One of the speakers, Mr. Barlybay Sadykov, discussed the significant decision made by Kazakhstan on Aug. 29, 1991, which played a crucial role in the global struggle against nuclear testing. Sadykov, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Kenya, highlighted the tragic impact of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, emphasizing the lasting humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan.
Sadykov noted that the Semipalatinsk test site, covering 18,000 square kilometers, was heavily affected by radioactive contamination. Approximately 1.5 million people were exposed to high levels of radiation, leading to increased health problems, congenital birth defects, and long-term psychological and social issues. The environmental consequences included soil contamination, land use restrictions, and the need for long-term monitoring of radioactive pathways in water, along with the risk of radioactive particles entering the food chain.
He stressed the shared responsibility of states to prevent such tragedies and called for international efforts to prevent further nuclear testing and advance nuclear disarmament. The Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, Hiroshi Matsuura, praised Kazakhstan’s decision to close the Semipalatinsk test site, noting the limited but devastating capacity of the bombs used at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Matsuura emphasized the catastrophic potential of today’s nuclear weapons and highlighted the importance of avoiding their use. Ms. Anacl¡udia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, discussed the broader impact of nuclear testing on land, water, ecosystems, and disrupted settlements. She reaffirmed UN-Habitat’s commitment to working with member states and communities for recovery and sustainable living.
UNON Director-General Zainab Hawa Bangura concluded the event by reminding participants of the lessons learned from past nuclear testing and the importance of preventing future occurrences.