The International Day for Total Elimination of Weapons is to be observed in different countries with various awareness creating programs on disarmament of nuclear weapons. 

This day has been observed at the call of the United Nations since 2013. 

However, the first proposal for global nuclear disarmament was presented at the UN General Assembly in 1946. 

This Day provides an occasion for the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a priority. 

It provides an opportunity to educate the public - and their leaders - about the real benefits of eliminating such weapons, and the social and economic costs of perpetuating them, the UN website noted. 

The purpose of the International Day is to further the objective of the total elimination of nuclear weapons through enhancing public awareness and education about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their total elimination. 

According to the United Nations, approximately 12,241 nuclear weapons remain in various countries today. 

On this occasion, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called upon nations with nuclear weapons to make pledges for the total elimination of these arms.