Hiroshima, 6 August 2022 (TDI): UN Chief, Antonio Guterres, attended the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima on the 77th memorial of the world’s first nuclear bombing. The memorial was attended by dozens of people, including young peace activists, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other local authorities.
In Hiroshima today, I paid tribute to the tens of thousands of people killed by atomic bombs 77 years ago.
We cannot forget the lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
We must act in their memory & wipe nuclear weapons off the face of the earth once and for all. pic.twitter.com/taMQFAjD92
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 6, 2022
Highlights from the memorial
The UN Secretary-General warned that a new arms race is picking up speed and world leaders are enhancing stockpiles. The UN Chief emphasized on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as having undertones of the nuclear crisis.
Moreover, Guterres also urged the world leaders to work towards nuclear disarmament instead of enhancing stockpiles.
The dignity & resilience of the atomic bomb survivors I met in Hiroshima today, are an example for all of humanity.
From this sacred ground, I urge world leaders to heed their message & work for complete nuclear disarmament. pic.twitter.com/kCCJkU7dgU
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 6, 2022
Moreover, the Chief added that humanity is playing with a “loaded gun” as crises with the potential for nuclear disaster proliferate worldwide. Additionally, at the 10th NPT Review Conference, Guterres said, “crises with grave nuclear undertones are spreading fast”.
At 8:15 a.m. on Aug 6, 1945, the U.S. B-29 warplane Enola Gay dropped a bomb nicknamed “Little Boy” and obliterated the city. Thousands died from the bombing and later from injuries and radiation-related illnesses. A silent prayer was therefore also held at 8:15 am local time, the moment the bomb was dropped.
Important milestones
Earlier this week, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida became the first Japanese leader to take part in the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The Japanese Minister also welcomed the UN Chief on his visit to Hiroshima on the 77th memorial.
Thank you Prime Minister Kishida for welcoming me to Japan.
At a time when geopolitical tensions are rising and the nuclear threat is back in focus, Japan’s strong and consistent voice on peace is more important than ever. pic.twitter.com/qSs9muIMJG
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 6, 2022
Moreover, the Japanese leader also strongly condemned China’s recent ballistic missile launches following the upsurge of China-Taiwan hostilities following US House of Representative Nancy Pelosi’s visit.
Additionally, Kishida said he would work closely with Guterres in the wake of China’s action that “gravely affects peace and stability of the international community.”
