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Participation in the third meeting of
International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament
(ICNND)
June 2009
President Akiba participated in the 3rd meeting of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND)
in Moscow, Russia, led by the Japanese and Australian governments. In addition
to promoting the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol as well as the 2020 Vision
Campaign [Emergency Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons], we actively promoted
understanding and cooperation with our mission. Furthermore, bonds were
forged between committee members that will assist in the implementation
of the 4th ICNND meeting to be held in Hiroshima this October.
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| Sunday, June 21 |
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Mayor Akiba had an opportunity to speak to an audience of 29 people at
the NGO session, including Co-chairman of the Commission Mr. Gareth Evans
and Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, both former Ministers of Foreign Affairs in their
respective nations, and commissioners and advisors who are the specialists
in the field of nuclear issues.
In his speech, Mayor Akiba praised President Obama for his words in Prague.
While asking for the support of the "Obamajority", who favor
the abolition of nuclear weapons, he proclaimed the elimination of nuclear
weapons by 2020 could technically be possible. The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol
would be the roadmap for this endeavor, and he called for cooperation and
support to that end.
He also spoke about the film "On the Beach," a motion picture
set in Australia against the backdrop of humaniy's extinction at the hands
of nuclear weapons. In addition, he showed a short film about paper cranes,
introducing the story of Sadako Sasaki, who prayed for recovery from the
aftereffects of atomic warfare and folded more than one thousand cranes.
He then spoke about the exhibition consisting of paper cranes offered from
around the world. At the end of the speech, he said that we must work together
to protect our children's future, holding the rapt attention of all the
committee members present.
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Furthermore, in receptions and between meetings, we strengthened our bond
with ICNND through an opinion exchange with diplomats from Japan and Australia
and and Committee members.
The Committee members were clear in their opinion regarding the importance
of the earliest possible abolition of nuclear weapons as well as their
anticipation of the upcoming 4th meeting in Hiroshima this October. |
Mayors for Peace Secretariat
1-5 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-0811 JAPAN
TEL:+81-82-242-7821 FAX:+81-82-242-7452
e-mail:mayorcon@pcf.city.hiroshima.jp
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