Cities' Leaders Embrace "Nagasaki Plea" from Peace Movement
In August 2022, the 11th General Conference of Mayors for Peace was held in Nagasaki, Japan, a city that bears the tragic legacy of a nuclear bombing during World War II. The conference, attended by representatives from 138 cities in 16 countries, was a powerful gathering of local leaders committed to nuclear disarmament.
The conference resulted in the adoption of the "Nagasaki Appeal" declaration, a resolve to abolish nuclear weapons and urging all signatories to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to take concrete steps to fulfill their obligations under the treaty. The declaration also includes requests for each country to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki, speaking at the conference, expressed gratitude for the shared earnest desire of atomic bomb survivors to make Nagasaki the last place to suffer an atomic bombing. He emphasised the importance of global cooperation in achieving nuclear disarmament.
The discussions at the conference focused on activities to be carried out until the next general meeting in 2029, which will be held in Hiroshima. The conference also highlighted the increasing mobilisation of cities worldwide through initiatives like the Cities Appeal, supporting nuclear disarmament and pressuring their national governments to join and implement the TPNW.
Cities and local governments are using commemorations of nuclear bombings to raise awareness and strengthen calls for disarmament. Specific steps taken by cities and mayors include signing the Cities Appeal, hosting local educational and cultural events, engaging in advocacy and symbolic acts, and collaborating with international networks of cities and civil society organisations.
Despite the progress made, major nuclear-armed states have generally not engaged with the treaty, and efforts continue to counter governmental resistance through local and international pressure campaigns coordinated by mayors and their municipalities. The involvement of cities worldwide makes the movement for nuclear abolition more inclusive and reflects a growing global mainstream commitment to peace and security without nuclear weapons.
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 serve as a grim reminder of the devastating humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. The efforts of Mayors for Peace and other city-level initiatives are crucial in ensuring that these tragedies are not repeated and in creating a world free of nuclear weapons.
[1] ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) [2] Mayors for Peace [3] United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
- The adoption of the "Nagasaki Appeal" declaration during the 11th General Conference of Mayors for Peace in August 2022 included requests for each country to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), a stepping stone towards promoting photo-journalism showcasing the effects of war-and-conflicts, particularly nuclear weapons, in the realm of general-news and policy-and-legislation.
- In their unwavering commitment to nuclear disarmament, mayors and city leaders have undertaken various initiatives, such as signing the Cities Appeal, hosting educational events, and lobbying their national governments. These actions, which are part of the broader politics, can generate provocative photo shoots highlighting the impact of war-and-conflicts, contributing to a more informed and engaged global populace.
