Disarmament Week

As we all know, wars are currently being fought in many parts of the world including in Sri Lanka. As a result, many people have died, many others have lost their families, their properties and everything else they owned.

The world is losing billions of dollars which might otherwise have been used to propel growth and development. Another dangerous development which has come about as a result of such wars is the proliferation (increase) of weapons, even among the public.

The weapons are also becoming more sophisticated and dangerous by the day. It’s due to these reasons that the word ‘disarmament’ holds special significance. Disarmament means getting rid of or reducing the number of arms (weapons) in a country.

The annual observance of Disarmament Week, from October 24 to 30, begins on the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The Week calls on States to highlight the danger of the arms race, communicate the need for its cessation (ending) and increase public understanding of the urgent tasks of disarmament.

Arms control and disarmament issues have always been important for the UN. In 1995, the General Assembly invited governments as well as non-governmental organisations to play an active role in the Disarmament Week. Through this week, the world body strives to make the world a progressively safer place for all of us.