Mayors for Peace Youth Delegation to New York for the 11th NPT Review Conference

At the opening session, following introductory remarks by UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu, the Conference proceeded with the election of its President and Vice-Presidents, as well as an address by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. During discussions on the election of the Vice-Presidents, delegates from various countries engaged in statements and exchanges of views, reflecting tensions surrounding issues such as nuclear development. Witnessing these proceedings firsthand, the Youth participants gained a deeper understanding of the complex realities of the international community and the challenges of building consensus on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, even within the NPT framework—the largest multilateral mechanism addressing these issues, including both nuclear-weapon and non-nuclear-weapon states. At the same time, one participant reflected that “precisely because the international situation is so uncertain and turbulent, this Conference serves as an extremely important forum for dialogue between nuclear-weapon and non-nuclear-weapon states.” Through this experience, the Youth participants further deepened their awareness of the role they themselves can play in advancing peace and nuclear disarmament.

The Youth participants attended the opening ceremony of the UN Atomic Bomb Exhibition held in the Visitors’ Lobby of UN Headquarters. The exhibition was organized to share the experiences of atomic bomb survivors and their wish that “no one should ever suffer the same tragedy again.” This marked the fifth time the exhibition had been held at the United Nations. In his opening remarks, Mayor Matsui emphasized the significance of holding the exhibition during the NPT Review Conference, particularly at a time when the international security environment remains challenging despite Nihon Hidankyo having been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024. He called on participants to take to heart the realities of the atomic bombings and to deepen discussions on nuclear disarmament. Following the ceremony, the Youth participants reflected on the importance of conveying the realities of the atomic bombings to a wider audience, commenting that the exhibition was “an important opportunity to communicate the horrors of nuclear weapons” and expressing their hope that “many people will have the chance to see it.” Through the exhibition, they renewed their awareness of the importance of sharing the realities of the atomic bombings with people around the world.

The delegation visited UNICEF and received a briefing from Finance Specialist Mr. Kageyama and Public Partnership Officer Ms. Haramoto on UNICEF’s mission, as well as their professional responsibilities and career paths. During the Q&A session, the youth participants asked questions about what inspired them to pursue careers in international organizations and how students should engage with global social issues. In response, the speakers emphasized the importance of maintaining an interest in world affairs, the value of seeing conditions on the ground in different parts of the world while still a student, and the appeal of working in international organizations where people from diverse backgrounds collaborate toward common goals. The visit provided the youth participants with a valuable opportunity to reflect on their future activities and career aspirations.

During the guided tour, the youth participants visited various areas of United Nations Headquarters, including the General Assembly Hall, the Economic and Social Council Chamber, the Peace Bell, the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition, and the area displaying gifts presented to the United Nations by Member States. The participants listened attentively to the guide’s explanations, deepening their understanding of how meetings are conducted and consensus is built within the United Nations. The tour also provided them with a valuable opportunity to experience firsthand the atmosphere of United Nations Headquarters, the center of international diplomacy.

The youth delegation met with Ambassador Ichikawa, Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament, and the youth representatives introduced the peace activities they had been engaged in to date. During the subsequent Q&A session, the youth participants asked questions about how to engage in dialogue with countries that hold different positions and values, and how progress toward the elimination of nuclear weapons can be made under the framework of nuclear deterrence. In response, Ambassador Ichikawa emphasized the importance of not only focusing on whether one supports or opposes nuclear weapons, but also seeking to understand why people hold those views and engaging in dialogue while identifying common ground. She also encouraged the youth participants by stressing that it is important for younger generations to carry forward the message of peace.

Six high school members of the delegation visited Pace University and met with Professor Matthew Bolton and Professor Emily Welty, both of whom specialize in peace and disarmament studies, as well as two Pace University students. Professor Bolton provided an overview of the university’s work in peace and justice studies and nuclear disarmament, and spoke about the role of young people at the United Nations and the importance of youth participation in addressing global issues. The visit was followed by an exchange of views on topics such as peace education, nuclear disarmament, and university life. For the youth participants, it was a valuable opportunity not only to experience the university’s open and welcoming atmosphere but also to deepen their interaction with students of their own generation.

Two university student members visited the City University of New York (CUNY) and participated in a graduate seminar led by Lecturer Jean Krasno, whose research focuses on political decision-making. During the seminar, they attended a lecture on the decision-making of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and a student presentation on the political philosophy of former South African President Nelson Mandela. The youth delegates also presented their proposals for achieving the abolition of nuclear weapons. In response, Lecturer Krasno expressed support for their proposals and emphasized the importance of collaboration between non-governmental organizations and governments, citing the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as an example of such cooperation.

The youth delegates attended speeches delivered by Robin Geiss, Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu, Mayors for Peace President Kazumi Matsui, and Mr. Nakamura, Director-General of the Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as presentations by experts on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The youth listened attentively while taking detailed notes throughout the event. In particular, they were deeply impressed by Ms. Nakamitsu’s remark that “the adoption of an outcome document at this NPT Review Conference is of critical importance in demonstrating the effectiveness of multilateralism.”

The youth delegates participated in the event “Youth Dialogue on Peace and Nuclear Disarmament” held at New York University. During the first session, representatives of the youth delegation presented their proposals for achieving the abolition of nuclear weapons, while New York University students gave presentations on challenges surrounding nuclear disarmament. The speakers emphasized the importance of youth engagement and the need to build trust among nations. In the second session, participants exchanged views on how to raise awareness of nuclear disarmament among young people across different regions. Discussions highlighted the effectiveness of social media as a tool for engaging students who have little interest in nuclear issues, as well as the role of peace education itself in fostering greater awareness and interest in these topics.

The youth delegates visited the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where they received a briefing from Senior Advisor Yamaguchi on the mission and role of UNDP. His presentation highlighted the common ground between Hiroshima’s mission of achieving the abolition of nuclear weapons and UNDP’s development work, including efforts to improve living conditions and address poverty, conflict, and climate change. He also explained the concept of human security, UNDP’s initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the nature of working within an international organization. During the question-and-answer session, Mr. Yamaguchi discussed the role of international organizations in establishing international rules, agreements, and frameworks, as well as the differences in perspective between government officials and international civil servants. He also emphasized the importance of recognizing difficult challenges for what they are, continuing to seek solutions through cooperation with others, and maintaining a willingness to take on new challenges.