Overview

• The two-day, closed-door inaugural session at UN Headquarters in New York ended on September 5 with a press briefing.
• Ana María Cetto of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and Andrew Haines of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine were chosen as co-chairs, and Nagasaki A-bomb survivor and physician Masao Tomonaga was named co-vice chair.
• Created by a December 2024 General Assembly resolution, the 21-member panel will evaluate direct and indirect effects of nuclear war from days to decades across seven domains including climate, ecosystems, agriculture, public health and socioeconomics.
• Members were appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres from member-state nominations and open calls, with meetings planned roughly every three months toward a final report in 2027.
• Tomonaga emphasized prioritizing long-term human health evidence drawn from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, while Cetto underscored providing clear information so citizens can understand risks and make informed decisions for future generations.