London Summit 2011

LONDON — June 21-23, 100 eminent international leaders and experts convened for the Global Zero Summit in London where they called on the heads of nuclear powers to hold a Nuclear Weapons Summit to launch the first in history multilateral nuclear arms negotiations, and announced an international grassroots campaign focusing on the $1 trillion per decade cost of nuclear arsenals.

The Financial Times and The Economist published positive editorials, the Financial Times concluding that, “Global Zero’s plan has shown the direction to be travelled; the world’s leaders must now start moving.”

President Barack Obama, President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister David Cameron, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent statements of support, with Obama declaring, “I want each of you to know that Global Zero continues to have a partner in my Administration and that we will never waver in pursuit of a world free of nuclear weapons.”

Global Zero issued its groundbreaking report that world spending on nuclear arsenals will top $1 trillion over the next decade, and launched an interactive petition (cutnukes.org) calling on governments to cut nuclear weapons instead of education, health care and other essentials.  The petition launch was promoted via social media by former IAEA Director-General Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, Sir Richard Branson, actor Ashton Kutcher, Greenpeace USA and many other individuals and groups. 

Prior to the Summit, Global Zero convened 39 student leaders from the US, Russia, Germany, India, Japan, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, France, Hungary,  Italy and the UK for a two-day campaign strategy retreat in Dorking, outside of London.

On the eve of the Summit, Global Zero organized  (in collaboration with UK film distributor Dogwoof) an extraordinary nationwide premiere of Countdown to Zero, with more than 75 cinemas showing the documentary and participating in a simulcast panel discussion with Global Zero leaders Her Majesty Queen Noor, Ms. Valerie Plame Wilson, the Rt. Hon. Margaret Beckett, Mr. Lawrence Bender and Dr. Bruce Blair.

The Summit attracted worldwide media attention, including more than 330 articles in 29 countries and extensive television coverage, including appearances by Global Zero leaders on CNN International, SkyNews, Channel 4, CCTV, BBC and MSNBC.