Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare

The Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare serves as a reminder of the horrors of chemical weapons and the need for their total elimination. This observance honors the victims, reaffirms the global commitment to preventing chemical warfare, and strengthens the international effort towards achieving a world free from chemical weapons. Additionally, this day serves as a time to promote international peace, contribute to global disarmament, and prevent threats to international security.

Although the history of the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is recent, South Africa's relationship with chemical weaponry runs deeper. In the past, South Africa possessed and developed chemical and biological weapons, but has since dismantled these programmes and signed the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993. For the people of South Africa, the Day of Remembrance not only focuses on global disarmament but also on upholding the country's commitment to the prevention and non-proliferation of chemical warfare.

In South Africa, the observance of the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare involves promoting education and raising public awareness on the dangers and destruction caused by chemical weapons. This may include commemorations, public speeches, discussions, and any other platform to emphasize the importance of international cooperation and South Africa's dedication to a world free from chemical warfare. The Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare takes place annually on April 29, providing an opportunity for the South African people to engage with this imperative issue.