International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is a coalition of nongovernmental organizations (NGO’s) whose goal is to eliminate and outlaw nuclear weapons . ICAN seeks to achieve this goal through a treaty banning such weapons. In 2017, ICAN won the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to promote such a treaty and to draw attention to the consequences of nuclear weapons use.
ICAN was instrumental in bringing about the negotiation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2017. Representatives of more than 135 countries participated in the negotiations at United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City. A majority of the world’s nations voted to adopt the treaty. The treaty took effect in 2021, after being ratified (formally approved) by 50 nations. It is legally binding under international law for all nations that ratify it. However, none of the countries with nuclear weapons—China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—have ratified the treaty.
The treaty prohibits participating countries from developing, possessing, producing, testing, using, or threatening to use nuclear weapons. Such countries may not allow nuclear weapons to be stationed on their territory. Nor may they cause, encourage, or help anyone to engage in the prohibited activities. Participating countries also must aid victims of nuclear weapons and take measures to clean up environments contaminated by such weapons.
As part of its work, ICAN also organizes global days of action and holds events to raise public awareness. It engages in advocacy (active support) of its cause at the UN and in national legislatures. ICAN also works with survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki , Japan, to help them share their stories.
ICAN was launched in 2007 by International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW). IPPNW is a federation of medical organizations dedicated to safeguarding health by preventing nuclear war and abolishing nuclear weapons. ICAN consists of several hundred partner NGO’s in about 100 countries. An international steering group, made up of partner organizations, and a small international staff team coordinate ICAN’s activities. The campaign’s main office is in Geneva, Switzerland.
