Background

In 2024, General Assembly resolution 79/60 (“Addressing the legacy of nuclear weapons: providing victim assistance and environmental remediation to Member States affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons”) requested the Secretary-General to convene a one-day international meeting on victim assistance and environmental remediation, at an appropriate time in 2026, with the participation of Member States, observers and civil society representatives from organizations accredited with the Economic and Social Council. One year later, the General Assembly, by its resolution 80/56, decided that the formal meeting would be held in early 2026 at United Nations Headquarters, with the participation of Member States, observer States and observers of the United Nations General Assembly, where they will share their relevant experience. The General Assembly also decided that this meeting shall be open to civil society representatives, including from organizations accredited to ECOSOC, including scientists, representatives of communities affected by the use, production and testing of nuclear weapons, and academia.