Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare

The United Nations (UN) officially observes the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare on April 29 each year.

Radioactive chemicals - a danger to people and the environment. ©iStockphoto.com/wellphoto

What do people do

The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare gives people the chance to pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare. It also allows governments and organizations to commit or reaffirm their commitment to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), an organization that aims to end the threat of chemical weapons and promote the peace and security worldwide.

Public life

The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare is a UN observance and not a public holiday on April 29.

Background

In November 2005 the UN decided to observe a memorial “Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare” on April 29 each year. The date April 29 was chosen for this observance because it was when the Chemical Weapons Convention came into force.

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare Observances