Delegation attended the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

After introducing Mayors for Peace initiatives to representatives of Thailand, Vice President Onay emphasized the importance of engaging younger generations in peace activities. Ambassador Cherdchai acknowledged that while peace awareness among young people is growing, the situation varies by country and region. He also expressed Thailand’s commitment to continued collaboration with Japan, including learning about the inhumanity of nuclear weapons through the experiences of the atomic-bombed cities.

Vice President Onay emphasized the importance of improving global understanding of nuclear weapons and passing down the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as two generations have passed since the atomic bombings. Deputy Foreign Minister Ochoa expressed a desire to build a stronger cooperative relationship, noting that current nuclear weapons are so precise that they pose a threat to our free world. Additionally, both sides agreed to convey the realities of the atomic bombings to future generations through Mayors for Peace materials and to spread them via the media.

Vice President Onay provided an overview of Mayors for Peace and mentioned that 16 local governments joined our network at the affiliation ceremony held during President Matsui’s visit to Ireland. Mr. Robinson commended the Mayors for Peace initiatives, particularly the focus on peace education for younger generations. He also noted that the Meetings of States Parties of the TPNW serve as a platform where they engage with various civil society groups, including Mayors for Peace. He expressed a desire for these meetings to contribute to the concrete development of nuclear weapons abolition through a wide range of discussions.

Mr. Mahomed stated that South Africa had dismantled all the nuclear weapons that it once possessed and moved away from a national security policy reliant on nuclear deterrence. He also expressed South Africa’s commitment to working with Mayors for Peace to achieve a world free from nuclear weapons. Secretary General Kagawa requested South Africa’s continued cooperation and expressed hope that the country would take a leading role in peace-related activities, including Mayors for Peace initiatives, in Africa.

Vice President Onay emphasized the importance of building a common consensus to achieve a world without nuclear weapons by expanding the Mayors for Peace network and strengthening our initiatives globally. To this end, he sought support for increasing Mayors for Peace membership in Kazakhstan. Ambassador Rakhmetullin, President of the 3MSP, noted that initiatives led by local governments might have some difficulties due to their relationship with national governments. However, he also emphasized that, while the elimination of nuclear weapons is challenging, the networks on the city and citizens level that Hiroshima and Nagasaki aim to build are vital to achieving it.

Vice President Onay mentioned that it is important for Mayors for Peace to advance nuclear disarmament in collaboration with as many citizens as possible. Ambassador Kmentt acknowledged that public awareness of nuclear weapons is at an all-time high due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, he expressed concerns regarding the nuclear shield and nuclear sharing in Europe, as proposed by the French President, and also expressed his expectation that citizens in Germany, where more than 900 cities are members of Mayors for Peace, will actively participate in efforts toward nuclear disarmament.

Secretary General Kagawa provided an overview of Mayors for Peace and emphasized that it is essential to work in solidarity with UNDP to “realize safe and resilient cities”, one of the key objectives outlined in the PX Vision of Mayors for Peace. Assistant Secretary-General Noda mentioned the possible consideration of regional level collaboration between UNDP and Mayors for Peace, and they discussed the potential for future cooperation.

Assistant Secretary-General Kitty van der Heijden noted that UNICEF has been implementing efforts to ensure children can live safely and maintain their security guarantees. She also expressed gratitude for the support from Japan. Secretary General Kagawa mentioned that issues surrounding nuclear weapons are not solely the concern of national governments and emphasized the need to raise voices at the local level. He also sought concrete cooperation for Mayors for Peace initiatives, including the Children’s Art Competition “Peaceful Towns”.

Vice President Onay explained that while some people believe it is better to rely on the nuclear shield and nuclear umbrella amid the current global turmoil, others support the vision from the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima, and that Mayors for Peace membership is increasing. UN Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu mentioned that while there are both expectations and concerns regarding nuclear disarmament, the voices of civil society are the most important in a democracy. She also noted that discussions had advanced at various forums during the 3MSP and emphasized the crucial need to move forward, particularly with younger generations. Additionally, she highlighted that as this year marks the 80^th anniversary of both the atomic bombings and the establishment of the UN Charter, it is vital to contemplate peace in various aspects and gain perspectives for the future.

During discussions about how to involve non-state parties in the TPNW, Vice President Onay shared his vision of continuing to urge the German government to join the treaty, which postponed its participation as an observer in the 3MSP, in collaboration with the Mayors for Peace member cities within the country. Both sides agreed to maintain close collaboration between ICAN and Mayors for Peace in the future. After the meeting, Executive Director Parke experienced the VR tool that the Mayors for Peace delegation had brought and noted that it is an effective means of conveying the realities of the atomic bombings.

Mr. Jani shared his background, including the experience visiting Hiroshima through his participation in the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy, his efforts to urge the Albanian government, a NATO member, to sign and ratify the TPNW, and his work in encouraging local governments to join the Mayors for Peace. Secretary General Kagawa expressed gratitude for his contributions and sought continued cooperation in engaging Albanian members in concrete Mayors for Peace initiatives, such as the Atomic Bomb Poster Exhibition and the Children’s Art Competition “Peaceful Towns”.

Amid a packed audience of approximately 70 people, with some standing, Mayors for Peace and ICAN hosted a Joint Side Event for the 3MSP, Voices of Civil Society for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World. Vice President Onay opened the event with his remarks. Facilitated by Associate Professor Keiko Nakamura from RECNA at Nagasaki University, the event proceeded as follows:

Mr. Jiro Hamasumi, Assistant Secretary-General of Nihon Hidankyo, shared his background, including how he learned about his in-utero exposure to the atomic bombing and the situation at the time of the atomic bombing. He also highlighted the significance of Nihon Hidankyo receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, and the urgent need to abolish nuclear weapons as a representative of hibakusha.　

Following this, Ms. Magritte Gordaneer, Lead Organizer and Policy Coordinator at Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR), and Ms. Rooj Ali, Youth Coordinator at Reverse the Trend (RTT), Canada, each gave presentations on their peace efforts as youth representatives.

During the subsequent interactive session between hibakusha and youths, Assistant Secretary-General Hamasumi expressed his hope that those who listened to hibakusha testimonies, whether in person or online, would share them with their families and friends, helping to spread the realities of the atomic bombings throughout the world.

The event concluded with remarks by Mr. Daniel Högsta, Deputy Director of ICAN, who provided feedback on each presentation and emphasized his commitment to continuing such events to broaden participants’ perspectives.

During the 3MSP at the United Nations Headquarters, Mayors for Peace hosted the Atomic Bomb Poster Exhibition, the Children’s Art Competition “Peaceful Towns” Exhibition, and a VR experience, aiming at having the 3MSP attendees and UN officials deepen their understanding of the realities of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, and the initiatives of Mayors for Peace. Approximately 80 people experienced the VR each day, sharing their feedback, including “These images are important. We should never forget.” and, “I deeply felt the importance of peace.” The event was a great success.