Hiroshima to host “Group of Eminent Persons Conference” in August to discuss nuclear disarmament
Mar. 2, 2015
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
At a press conference on February 24, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida announced that the “Group of Eminent Persons (GEM) Conference” of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBTO) has been set for August 24 and 25 in Hiroshima. Referring to Japan’s appointment as chair of the 9th Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT, scheduled for New York in September, Mr. Kishida expressed resolve, saying, “We will play a strong role in leading international opinion toward a world free from nuclear arms.”
Mr. Kishida again stressed the significance of this year, which marks both the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the NPT review conference. Pointing to the GEM conference, which will be held prior to the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT, he said, “We will take the initiative to make realistic and practical efforts, including the early entry into force of the CTBT,” and underscored Japan’s enthusiasm for the role of chair.
The Group of Eminent Persons was launched by ex-cabinet ministers and former heads of state, including former U.S. Defense Secretary William J. Perry, who has advocated a nuclear-free world, to work on the entry into force of the CTBT. Last fall, Mr. Kishida announced that this conference would be held in Hiroshima, for the first time, in 2015.
This will mark the second time, since the first conference, for Japan to serve as chair of the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT. Kazakhstan and Japan will co-chair the meeting.
(Originally published on February 25, 2015)
At a press conference on February 24, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida announced that the “Group of Eminent Persons (GEM) Conference” of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBTO) has been set for August 24 and 25 in Hiroshima. Referring to Japan’s appointment as chair of the 9th Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT, scheduled for New York in September, Mr. Kishida expressed resolve, saying, “We will play a strong role in leading international opinion toward a world free from nuclear arms.”
Mr. Kishida again stressed the significance of this year, which marks both the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the NPT review conference. Pointing to the GEM conference, which will be held prior to the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT, he said, “We will take the initiative to make realistic and practical efforts, including the early entry into force of the CTBT,” and underscored Japan’s enthusiasm for the role of chair.
The Group of Eminent Persons was launched by ex-cabinet ministers and former heads of state, including former U.S. Defense Secretary William J. Perry, who has advocated a nuclear-free world, to work on the entry into force of the CTBT. Last fall, Mr. Kishida announced that this conference would be held in Hiroshima, for the first time, in 2015.
This will mark the second time, since the first conference, for Japan to serve as chair of the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT. Kazakhstan and Japan will co-chair the meeting.
(Originally published on February 25, 2015)
