Mayors for Peace, seeking nuclear abolition by 2020, opens international conference in Hiroshima
Aug. 6, 2013
by Kohei Okata, Staff Writer
On August 3, the General Conference of Mayors for Peace, comprised of cities in the world seeking the abolition of nuclear weapons, opened at the International Conference Center Hiroshima. The conference is being held in Hiroshima for the first time in eight years, attended by about 320 people representing 190 member cities in 22 countries as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The conference will continue until August 6 and, during this time, the participants will craft a new action plan to advance the abolition of nuclear arms by 2020, a goal sought by the organization.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, who serves as president of Mayors for Peace, spoke at the opening ceremony and said that rising momentum among the international community to outlaw nuclear weapons, by focusing on their inhumanity, is in step with the organization’s “2020 Vision Campaign,” which calls for the elimination of nuclear arms by the year 2020. Appealing to the audience, he said, “If people hold the messages of the A-bomb survivors in their hearts and act together, the abolition of nuclear weapons will surely be realized.”
A message from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, expressing his hopes for the organization’s efforts, including the 2020 Vision Campaign, was also shared at the ceremony.
Following the opening ceremony, Keijiro Matsushima, 84, a resident of Saeki Ward, recounted his experience of the atomic bombing in English, then urged, “I hope you will convey the tragic reality of Hiroshima to the people of the world so that nuclear weapons can be eliminated. No more Hiroshimas.”
On August 4, the participants will discuss the organization’s action plan, which includes such endeavors as pressing the nations of the world to conclude a nuclear weapons convention and strengthening the network’s administration by implementing measures like a “leader cities” system. On August 5, the “Hiroshima Appeal” will be adopted, then on August 6, the participants will attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony.
Mayors for Peace currently numbers 5,712 member cities in 157 countries and regions. Its general conference is held every four years, alternating between the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as the site of the venue.
(Originally published on August 4, 2013)
On August 3, the General Conference of Mayors for Peace, comprised of cities in the world seeking the abolition of nuclear weapons, opened at the International Conference Center Hiroshima. The conference is being held in Hiroshima for the first time in eight years, attended by about 320 people representing 190 member cities in 22 countries as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The conference will continue until August 6 and, during this time, the participants will craft a new action plan to advance the abolition of nuclear arms by 2020, a goal sought by the organization.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, who serves as president of Mayors for Peace, spoke at the opening ceremony and said that rising momentum among the international community to outlaw nuclear weapons, by focusing on their inhumanity, is in step with the organization’s “2020 Vision Campaign,” which calls for the elimination of nuclear arms by the year 2020. Appealing to the audience, he said, “If people hold the messages of the A-bomb survivors in their hearts and act together, the abolition of nuclear weapons will surely be realized.”
A message from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, expressing his hopes for the organization’s efforts, including the 2020 Vision Campaign, was also shared at the ceremony.
Following the opening ceremony, Keijiro Matsushima, 84, a resident of Saeki Ward, recounted his experience of the atomic bombing in English, then urged, “I hope you will convey the tragic reality of Hiroshima to the people of the world so that nuclear weapons can be eliminated. No more Hiroshimas.”
On August 4, the participants will discuss the organization’s action plan, which includes such endeavors as pressing the nations of the world to conclude a nuclear weapons convention and strengthening the network’s administration by implementing measures like a “leader cities” system. On August 5, the “Hiroshima Appeal” will be adopted, then on August 6, the participants will attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony.
Mayors for Peace currently numbers 5,712 member cities in 157 countries and regions. Its general conference is held every four years, alternating between the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as the site of the venue.
(Originally published on August 4, 2013)
