President attended the 50th Anniversary Event of Pugwash Conferences

July 2007 [Pugwash Village, Canada]

President Akiba attended the “Disarmament Workshop ‘Revitalizing Nuclear Disarmament'”, which was a commemorative event for the 50th anniversary of the Pugwash Conferences, held in Pugwash, Canada. This workshop was jointly organized by Pugwash Conference, the international scientists’ peace NGO, and Middle Powers Initiative, also peace NGO. President Akiba delivered a speech in which he talked about the achievements of the A-bomb survivors and transmitted their message that “no one else should ever suffer as we did.” He asked for the support to promote our Good Faith Challenge, which calls for all nations to conduct the good faith negotiations toward the nuclear disarmament. He also encouraged cities and municipal associations to promote Cities Are Not Targets project, which demands assurances from nuclear-weapon states that cities are not and will not be targeted for nuclear attack. At the same time he asked all to concentrate the power of the citizens and to realize the nuclear weapon-free world by the year 2020.

July 5th, 2007

A panel discussion addressed at the citizens was held and around 200 locals participated in the event. As the place of origin of the Pugwash Conference, the high level of interest for peace problems of the local citizens of the Pugwash region was clearly visible.

July 6th – 7th, 2007

At the workshop, a general conference divided into five themes was held. At the conference, disarmament specialists analyzed the necessary steps towards the abolition of nuclear weapons from a professional standpoint and advanced the discussion on the topic.

July 7th, 2007

The ceremony to celebrate the Pugwash Peace Exchange, Pugwash-based peace NGO was held at the Thinker’s Lodge where the first Pugwash Conference took place.

July 7th, 2007

President Akiba delivered a speech at the ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Pugwash Conferences. In his speech President Akiba transmitted the achievements of the survivors of the A-bomb and their message that “No one else should ever suffer as we did”. At the same time he called for their support to realize the world free from nuclear weapons by the year 2020.

July 7th, 2007

President Akiba was interviewed by the “National Film Board of Canada” on the activities of Mayors for Peace and the international situation surrounding nuclear weapons.

July 7th, 2007

President Akiba asked for Mr. Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, for his support to nuclear disarmament and also asked for the endorsement and support of the 2020 Vision and other activities of Mayors for Peace. In response Minister MacKay stated that he continues to put efforts into the abolishment of nuclear weapons.

Around 30 people from 15 countries gathered at the workshop. Among the participants were former UN Under Secretary Generals, former disarmament ministers, former ambassadors from various countries, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs high officials, university professors, researchers, representatives from peace NGOs and specialists in the field of nuclear disarmament. The building in the background is the Thinker’s Lodge where the first Pugwash Conference was held in 1957.