Youth around the world #StepUp4Disarmament to commemorate the International Day Against Nuclear Tests

On 29 August 2021, young people from around the world participated in the #StepUp4Disarmament Youth Campaign to commemorate the International Day Against Nuclear Tests and the 30th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in Kazakhstan.

Over 310 participants from 67 countries registered for the #StepUp4Disarmament Youth Campaign, completing the challenge in their local communities in accordance with guidance on COVID-19.  

The #StepUp4Disarmament Youth Campaign called on youth, of all nationalities, to complete the distance of 8.29 kilometres or track 10.9k steps (an approximate equivalent) to commemorate and raise awareness of the International Day against Nuclear Tests on 29 August 2021, and its cause to ban nuclear tests.

The #StepUp4Disarmament Youth Campaign was launched by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs’ #Youth4Disarmament initiative on 16 July 2021, 76 years since the first nuclear test, in partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations, CTBTO, and Youth Fusion.

Entrants have been sharing their participation on social media by using the hashtags: #StepUp4Disarmament, #StepUp2StopNuclearTests and #ISteppedUp. Images shared by participants have been featured on the #Youth4Disarmament Instagram.  

Participants who have completed the campaign must share a record of their activity with the #Youth4Disarmament initiative to receive a certificate of completion and to be featured on the #Youth4Disarmament Instagram. To do so, entrants must update their information via the link shared following registration. or email youth4disarmament@un.org with a screenshot or copy of their participation.

Family and friends of all ages were invited to support the #StepUp4Disarmament Youth Campaign and the young participants taking part, ensuring intergenerational participation and partnership in commemorating and raising awareness of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests.

The International Day Against Nuclear Tests was declared as a result of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopting resolution 64/35 on 2 December 2009.

The resolution was initiated by the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with a large number of sponsors and co-sponsors, to commemorate the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test site on 29 August 1991. The resolution calls for increasing awareness and education “about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.” For more information, please visit the dedicated UN webpage for the International Day Against Nuclear Tests.

The #StepUp4Disarmament Youth Campaign’s emphasis on physical activity aimed to support efforts to raise awareness of the devastating health consequences of nuclear testing and to promote Sustainable Development Goal 3 on ensuring good health and well-being for all at all ages.

For further information, be sure to check out the #StepUp4Disarmament webpage.