The humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons detonations has increasingly been recognized as a fundamental and global concern that must be at the core of all deliberations on nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, as well as a relevant issue in the 21st century global security agenda.

The Conference held on March 4-5 2013, in Oslo, provided a unique platform for sharing factual and technical information on the humanitarian consequences of a nuclear detonation between governments, international organizations and civil society. By sharing national experiences and response capabilities, the participants unanimously concluded that there is no type of preparation and capacity in the world that can protect the population of any city from the humanitarian catastrophe of a nuclear explosion.

The Government of Mexico will host a Second Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons. This Conference will broaden the discussion about the damage and risks of nuclear weapons. These are the most dangerous weapons of mass destruction in the world, because their destructive power cannot be circumscribe to a determined time and place.

It is important to deepen our understanding of the effects of nuclear weapons, by approaching the global and long-term consequences of a nuclear detonation, accidental or deliberate, from the perspective and variables of the 21st Century society. Governments, international organizations and civil society are invited to participate with multi-sectorial delegations, at expert-level, with specialists in areas such as public health, humanitarian assistance, environmental issues, and civilian protection, among others, as well as diplomats and military experts. The Conference will not produce a negotiated outcome, but a factual summary under the responsibility of the Chair.

Statement taken from the Government of Mexico’s website here: http://www.sre.gob.mx/en/index.php/humanimpact-nayarit-2014