The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) reached a major victory when 50 countries officially agreed to ban nuclear weapons through a United Nations treaty. This makes nuclear weapons illegal under international law for the first time. ICAN, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017, worked with over 600 partner organizations worldwide to make this happen.
The campaign used digital tools and virtual meetings during the pandemic to coordinate efforts globally. Nuclear-armed countries like the United States tried to pressure other nations not to sign the treaty, but their efforts failed. When the 50th country signed on a Saturday evening, campaigners from around the world joined a celebration video call with over 70 people.
The treaty officially took effect in January 2021, marking a historic step toward nuclear disarmament. ICAN used new website technology to help supporters take action and stay engaged with the campaign.