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The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is a global coalition of non-governmental organizations active in over 100 countries, advocating for the implementation and adherence to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This groundbreaking global agreement was adopted on July 7, 2017, in New York.
ICAN was originally founded in Australia and officially launched in Austria in April 2007. The founders were inspired by the enormous success of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which played a central role in negotiating the Ottawa Treaty. Since its inception, ICAN has been working to build strong global support for the abolition of nuclear weapons. By collaborating with a diverse range of groups and in close cooperation with the Red Cross and like-minded governments, ICAN has reshaped the debate on nuclear weapons and advanced the path toward their elimination[1].
A central aspect of ICAN's work is its humanitarian focus. During the review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2010, all nations expressed deep concern about the "catastrophic humanitarian consequences" of the use of nuclear weapons. This led to the holding of three major conferences in 2013 and 2014 that addressed the humanitarian impacts of nuclear explosions. ICAN coordinated civil society participation in these conferences and gathered support from 127 nations for a humanitarian commitment to close the existing legal gaps in dealing with nuclear weapons[1].
ICAN is a broad, inclusive campaign aimed at mobilizing civil society worldwide for the specific goal of prohibiting and eliminating nuclear weapons. The international structure of ICAN consists of partner organizations, an international steering committee, and an international staff team. ICAN's headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
ICAN organizes global action days, holds public awareness events, and engages in advocacy at the United Nations and in national parliaments. The campaign works closely with survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as with survivors of nuclear tests, to share their testimonies with the public and decision-makers[1].
ICAN's main goal is the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. To achieve this, the campaign focuses on several key initiatives:
For its work, ICAN was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017, particularly for its efforts to highlight the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons and to initiate a legal process for the prohibition of these weapons. Prominent supporters of ICAN include Nobel laureates such as Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, as well as artists and actors like Herbie Hancock, Yoko Ono, Martin Sheen, and Michael Douglas[1].
ICAN remains a central actor in the global fight against nuclear weapons, drawing attention to the humanitarian and security risks and advocating for a nuclear-weapon-free world.
