Japanese government indicates willingness to host NPT Preparatory Committee in Hiroshima
May 9, 2013
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
GENEVA—On May 2, the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 NPT Review Conference, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, discussed venues for the NPT Preparatory Committees in 2017 and beyond. To date, the Preparatory Committees have been held in only three cities in Europe and the United States. The United Kingdom proposed expanding the host nations worldwide, and Japan indicated its willingness to hold the gathering in Japan, citing the A-bombed city of Hiroshima as a candidate.
In a discussion to promote the effectiveness of the NPT Review Conferences, the United Kingdom raised the idea of broadening the range of host nations, arguing that this move would boost interest in the NPT on the part of citizens and researchers.
Kensuke Yoshida, director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Division of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, responded positively to the proposal and said that Hiroshima would be interested in hosting the conference. The city has pursued a policy of “inviting peace to Hiroshima” and is eager to host such international gatherings. Hiroshima also sought to host the 2015 NPT Review Conference.
Kenya, too, expressed enthusiasm about hosting a conference, while South Africa, among other nations, welcomed the proposal, saying that this would make it easier for African and Asian member nations to attend. Meanwhile, some nations, mainly in Europe, urged careful discussion of the idea, mentioning the additional costs of sending their delegations to the venues and the difficulty of securing needed interpreters.
The NPT Review Conferences and their Preparatory Committees have convened in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, cities with U.N. bases. New York has already been designated the host for the 2014 Preparatory Committee and the 2015 NPT Review Conference. In the run-up to the 2020 NPT Review Conference, the Preparatory Committee sessions are expected to begin in 2017.
(Originally published on May 3, 2013)
GENEVA—On May 2, the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 NPT Review Conference, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, discussed venues for the NPT Preparatory Committees in 2017 and beyond. To date, the Preparatory Committees have been held in only three cities in Europe and the United States. The United Kingdom proposed expanding the host nations worldwide, and Japan indicated its willingness to hold the gathering in Japan, citing the A-bombed city of Hiroshima as a candidate.
In a discussion to promote the effectiveness of the NPT Review Conferences, the United Kingdom raised the idea of broadening the range of host nations, arguing that this move would boost interest in the NPT on the part of citizens and researchers.
Kensuke Yoshida, director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Division of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, responded positively to the proposal and said that Hiroshima would be interested in hosting the conference. The city has pursued a policy of “inviting peace to Hiroshima” and is eager to host such international gatherings. Hiroshima also sought to host the 2015 NPT Review Conference.
Kenya, too, expressed enthusiasm about hosting a conference, while South Africa, among other nations, welcomed the proposal, saying that this would make it easier for African and Asian member nations to attend. Meanwhile, some nations, mainly in Europe, urged careful discussion of the idea, mentioning the additional costs of sending their delegations to the venues and the difficulty of securing needed interpreters.
The NPT Review Conferences and their Preparatory Committees have convened in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, cities with U.N. bases. New York has already been designated the host for the 2014 Preparatory Committee and the 2015 NPT Review Conference. In the run-up to the 2020 NPT Review Conference, the Preparatory Committee sessions are expected to begin in 2017.
(Originally published on May 3, 2013)
