Joint Declaration of the Cuban Association of the United Nations and the Cuban Society of International Law on the occasion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the first and last use of a nuclear weapon in
a war. There is no doubt that the best guarantee that they will never be used again is
its total ban and transparent, and irreversible elimination.

Every September 26, since 2013, the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, date established by the General Assembly of United Nations (UNGA) to raise awareness about the threat it poses to Humanity the use of that category of weapons of mass destruction is celebrated.

With the signing three years ago of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the international community has proclaimed itself in favor of achieving a world free of this kind of weapons.
However, its entry into force has not been possible despite the serious danger that implies the existence of more than 13,400 nuclear weapons, of which 3,720 are deployed and 1800 on high operational alert.

It is regrettable as it is today and despite the imminent threat posed by the new Coronavirus pandemic for humanity, that significant resources are allocated for the long-term modernization and proliferation of the nuclear arsenal. These millionaire sums of money could make a significant contribution to address the impacts caused by the SARS CORV-2 and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Despite the unequivocal commitment of most UN Member States to the elimination of nuclear weapons, the danger does not stop. We cannot remain passive facing the threat posed by the Revision of the US Nuclear Doctrine; the development of new nuclear weapons systems and the modernization of forces and arsenals already existing; the rampant increase in military spending or threats of military intervention, or the breaking of commitments on disarmament and arms control.

We, the peoples, demand peace. We urge the international community to work in a constructive and coordinated manner to urgently meet the security interests of all humanity and achieve general and complete disarmament, especially nuclear, to preserve future generations from the scourge of war.

Living without nuclear weapons is possible. Latin America and the Caribbean, first zone densely populated in the world, that declared a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, is the evidence.

In this sense, we ratify once again our commitment to the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and we call on the remaining regions to take actions that promote this type of initiative.

On this day, let us have the courage to proclaim that all nuclear or conventional weapons
and, in general, everything that serves to make war, must disappear.

We deserve and need world peace!

Havana, September 26, 2020