40 Years of the Chernobyl Tragedy: A Wound That Never Heals and Today's Nuclear Threats
The United Nations General Assembly has called for the importance of using nuclear technology peacefully, coinciding with the 40th anniversary commemoration of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, one of the worst tragedies in history.
In a special meeting, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Annalena Baerbock emphasised that the scale of destruction from Chernobyl demonstrates that nuclear technology carries enormous risks, even when used for civilian purposes.
The disaster occurred on 26 April 1986 when reactor number 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded, spreading radioactive contamination across a wide area, including Ukraine, Belarus, and several countries in Europe.
According to Baerbock, more than 8 million people were affected by radiation exposure, with thousands of deaths and long-term health impacts, including an increase in childhood leukaemia cases.
“This commemoration must serve as a reminder that nuclear technology must be used strictly for peaceful purposes, with strong international oversight and compliance with global law,” she stated.
She also stressed the importance of international cooperation through the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure the safety of nuclear energy use worldwide.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the Chernobyl tragedy as the most significant nuclear accident in modern history.
In a statement delivered by Deputy Secretary-General for Policy, Guy Ryder, Guterres assessed that the tragedy also demonstrated global solidarity in facing disasters.
“Chernobyl was not just a national tragedy, but a lesson for the entire world that the impact of nuclear accidents knows no national borders,” he said.
He added that cooperation between countries, including sharing information and experiences, is key to building a stronger nuclear safety culture in the future.
The Russian representative at the UN, Dmitry Chumakov, also emphasised the importance of learning from the tragedy. According to him, technology, even if developed with good intentions, can become a threat if not managed with adequate caution.