- On 10 February 2024, UNITAR and UNITAR Association hosted the public forum “Nuclear Disarmament and Sustainable Peace” at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
- The panellists discussed their perspectives on nuclear disarmament, current geopolitical disputes and sustainable peace without nuclear weapons.
- The forum was joined by 18 diplomats and government officials from 13 countries, who were in Hiroshima for the UNITAR Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (NDNP) Training Programme.
UNITAR
25 April 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – On 10 February 2024, the UNITAR Hiroshima Office and UNITAR Association held the public forum “Nuclear Disarmament and Sustainable Peace” at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The forum aimed to deepen public understanding about nuclear disarmament, especially given the current armed conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and about achieving sustainable peace.
Three panellists with extensive experience in the nuclear disarmament field engaged in lively discussions about the historical evolution of the disarmament debate, current geopolitical conflicts and the relationship between Japan and disarmament, including Japan’s active participation in the G7 and hosting of the 2023 G7 summit in Hiroshima. They expressed the opinion that the world is moving farther away from disarmament and sustainable peace and emphasized the importance of individuals taking ownership of the issue and actively engaging civil society.
This public forum was conducted with the support of the Hiroshima Prefectural Government, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, Mayors for Peace, and the Chugoku Shimbun.
Creative cooperation for peace
UNITAR
Mr. Tariq Rauf, former Head of Verification and Security Policy of the International Atomic Energy Agency pointed out that “as long as there is a nuclear weapon, the possibility of using it, by accident or on purpose, will never be eliminated”. He noted that young people should be encouraged to get involved in the field of disarmament.
Cooperating and spreading messages for disarmament are very important for youth, including those in countries that possess nuclear weapons”-Mr. Tariq Rauf, former Head of Verification and Security Policy of the International Atomic Energy Agency
Ms. Elyne Whyte, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva, called upon participants to be creative.
We have a creative and innovative ability to solve problems. By looking back on the history we made, I would like you to build a new norm for the prohibition of nuclear weapons.” –Ms. Elyne Whyte, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva
Mr. Takehiro Kagawa, Chair of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation and Secretary General of Mayors for Peace, pointed out that “peace activity is not only political activity”. By interacting through arts, music and sports, people can share feelings about the importance of peace. And that activity can shape international opinion.
In the end, international opinion can be a major power to move countries”-Mr. Takehiro Kagawa, Chair of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation and Secretary General of Mayors for Peace
Full list of speakers
Forum panellists:
- Ms. Elyne Whyte, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva
- Mr. Tariq Rauf, former Head of Verification and Security Policy at, the International Atomic Energy Agency
- Mr. Takehiro Kagawa, Chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation and Secretary General of Mayors for Peace
Guests:
- Mr. Tim Caughley, Non-Resident Senior Fellow for the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
- Mr. Yuriy Kryvonos, former Director of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific
The UNITAR Hiroshima Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Programme in 2024
It was organized as a part of the latest round of the UNITAR Hiroshima Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Training Programme, which was held from 5 to 10 February 2024. Each year, the programme trains diplomats from Asia to build their knowledge and negotiation skills for international nuclear disarmament conferences. Eighteen diplomats from 13 Asia and Pacific countries came to Hiroshima to take part in the 2024 round. The programme is one of many collaborations between the UNITAR Hiroshima Office and the Prefecture and City of Hiroshima to steer the world away from nuclear weapons.
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